During these colder months, staying comfortable and cozy is vital. When it comes to warmth and comfort, nothing beats the superior softness and incredible insulation of down material.

Most down bedding is made with a type of natural bird feather. With so many styles and varieties, knowing what to focus on and shop for is important. Picking out the perfect down comforter doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck. Be mindful of these important qualities while purchasing a down comforter and you’ll be on your way to warm winter nights.

The finest down available is Siberian Goose Feathered down. This down is considered the warmest and softest, but it is also the most expensive. Hungarian Down is another high quality option. Both Hungarian and Siberian downs come in very high fill powers - from 600 and up - making these comforters valuable in extremely cold climates. Less expensive down offered are downs feathers from geese used for foods, and combinations of heavier duck feathers and goose styles of down.

Duvets are a must-buy if you’re purchasing a down comforter. Duvets protect your investment. Most down comforters come in an outer case of white or gray. Duvets provide you the chance to cover your new bedding in a color scheme to match your room and a design style to fit your personality.

Three important qualities to remember when shopping for your new comforter are fill power, thread count, and the baffle box design. Fill power determines the fullness of your comforter. Higher fill powers indicate greater warmth, and usually better down. Though few bedding companies make them, avoid comforters with high fill powers made with lower quality materials. These down comforters feel cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Thread count numbers note the number of threads per square inch on a given fabric. Higher thread counts ensure the down feathers stay inside the comforter. You’ll need a high thread count for your duvet cover if you purchase an expensive down, otherwise your comforter’s feathers will escape. Those allergic to down may find that using a duvet with a high thread count allows them to sleep with a fine down comforter.

Square cloth walls sewn into a down comforter are called baffling. Because feathered material naturally clumps together, baffle boxes work to deter this bunching. Without baffle boxing, large down comforters form cold spots. You’ll need some form of baffling if you’re in the market for a queen sized comforter, whereas twin sized comforters need not be purchased with baffle boxes.

A less common trick to discern down quality is to check the comforter’s department store warranty. Because down weathers easily, a warranty can tell you a lot about a comforter. If a comforter price looks too good to be true and has a one-year warranty on top of it, pass it by… The highest quality down comes with lifetime warranties allowing you to replace your comforter if anything is wrong with it. Learn about your down comforters’ warranty and avoid getting scammed for winter bedding.

Many are allergic to the dust and dander that feathered bedding collects. Hypo down is a form of down comforter made with milkweed and for allergy sufferers. Hypo down’s soft milkweed clusters repel the dust that clings to traditional downs.

A down comforter is an expensive bedding investment. High quality comforters can set you back more than 600 dollars. But nothing beats the softness, warmth and comfort of a fine down comforter. Shop for the down to match your budget and your sleeping style, and you’ll be amazed the difference it makes this winter.

Jonathon G. Billingsworth is an interior design specialist from Seattle, WA. He writes about luxury decoration, including interior bathroom and bedding merchandise like the Sealy Down Alternative Comforter.