how to buy goose down coat for winter?

Question

I reside in Wash, DC and I"m searching for a winter coat for my daughter. I want to buy a coat with goose down. The coldest it gets here is perhaps -15 and that's with wind chill. Will a hooded coat with 550 goose down (coat hits below the waist, just at mid thigh) in it be enough to keep her warm. She will have a sweater underneath jacket.

Answer 1

Try Gander Mountain if you have them there

Of course I encourage you to get the goose friendly coats that are made with goose down that is gotten by NOT killing the goose. Or use a synthetic Alternative... they are just as warm and more durable. Gortex is wonderful as well.
Polartec is better and is choice for many Artic expeditions.. less bulky and frankly holds up to washing better.
L.L. Bean, for instance, makes a fine all-around jacket filled with Primaloft, one of the more down-like synthetics. It's called the All-Conditions Primaloft Jacket ($149).

Here is a simple article..
http://www.poultry.org/down.htm

As far as the goose friendly coats.. there are farms that gather down and feathers during the molting of thier ducks and geese.. this is when they birds naturally eplace thier feathers with new ones.. the old ones fall out

I saw a show on it and I cant find a link... Yu ay be able to ask a clerk at Gander if they carry anything like that... In DC Id think youd have Eco stores etc...
Anyway that is my suggeestion.. is go bird friendly if you go down...

But if it was me for our 12 year old Id go synthetic even if we had Bird friendly down because its just better overall.
We live in Wisconsin.. and its gets -65F with windchill in winter and because we are working with Wildlife we are often out in it.. We use
The synthetics above.

Also layering is best... too wrm take off a layer too cold put one on.. Of course I am against use of animal products.. but hey to each his or her own.. Im not a PETA person at all.. we eat meat etc... But really down is not the best anymore anyway
Hope this helped.

Good Luck

Wismom

Answer 2

it should be but i really wish that you would look for a more organic solution....