For more than a decade, I’ve been Team Down Feathers. I have my great-grandmother to thank for that; she gifted me (and all of her great-granddaughters) a fancy-schmancy pillow when I turned 13.

While sleeping on a down pillow sounds wonderful — what could be better than resting your head on an airy mound of fluffy feathers? — there are some key factors to consider when buying one ...