Quilt Buying Guide

Tog Ratings

Togs are a measure of thermal resistance and the greater the number the warmer the quilt. The most common tog values are:

• 4.5 togs - this is the tog rating which is suitable for use as a lightweight summer quilt.
• 9 togs - a medium warm quilt suitable for spring or summer use.
• 13.5 togs - a very warm quilt suitable for winter use.

Some manufacturers offer combination quilts which have a 4.5 tog quilt and 9 tog quilt which may be joined to form a 13.5 tog quilt for all season use.

Fillings

Down

Down quilts are very light, luxurious and extremely warm. As a natural filling they last longer than synthetics but may not be suitable for allergy sufferers. Down may be either goose or duck with goose down being more luxurious and therefore expensive. Down from the geese in colder climates are the most prized and expensive of all.

Down and Feather

An alternative filling to pure down is down and feather which is cheaper but has similar qualities to pure down. Down and feather is not quite as soft a filling as pure down but it is still very warm. Again it will last longer than a synthetic quilt but may not be suitable for allergy sufferers.

Synthetic

This is generally the cheapest filling available and is suitable for allergy sufferers. They are easier to wash than pure down or down and feather quilts. They are not as warm and luxurious as natural fillings but they are a good alternative. They are usually made of either polyester or the newer microfibre.