Each bird nest produces about 15-17 grams of eiderdown per year, or about 0.5-0.6 ounces. Eiderdown has unique characteristics I did not sense any cruelty in any of the harvesters I met, merely the simple, unsentimental coldness of a people who lived off the land, who killed or starved. All this said, part of me still preferred Maxwell’s version, his image of Icelanders with “green fingers”. Walking through the Hornstrandir reserve, the most remote area of the Westfjords, I would often see Arctic foxes patrolling the banks of rivers or the coastline, looking for birds and eggs. At night, I would listen to their high-pitched calls from my tent, my dreams populated with images of small children at play. Like the birch trees that once covered Iceland, the foxes were a reminder of what this island was like before the arrival of human settlers. To kill them was to assert a certain logic that felt at odds with the promise of eiderdown, its essential balance, and I began to hunt for places in the Westfjords that might fit Maxwell’s image. And once we know your size and the color you want, it will take four to six months due to the short supply of eiderdown," she adds. Because as it turns out, Iceland produces a grand total of just three to four tons of eiderdown a year. The second certificate comes from one of twelve quality inspectors who have been appointed by the Icelandic government to oversee that all eiderdown sold and exported in Iceland is pure, quality eiderdown and that the weight described is accurate.” It is hard to explain the incredible feeling of eiderdown in words. Holding and touching it is really an incredible experience, it feels like something from another world.

There have been other concerns over the years, including sedating eider predators — a practice that was once widespread across Iceland — approved and employed by the government as well as farmers. Outdoor gear is a huge business. Keeping people alive is even bigger business and, for so long as there are expeditions to cold climates, down will have a part to play. At least for the foreseeable future. If the condition of the cover requires it, you can have the duvet renewed. In the case of an overhaul, the down is removed and cleaned, and, if necessary, placed in a new cover. Exclusivity Handling the boat with expert care, Alexíus guided us across the narrow stretch of water, scattering the seabirds on its surface. As we approached the island, I could hear the cries of his children playing in the water under the gaze of his mother. “It’s nice for them to be free,” Alexíus said, before we heard a high-pitched wail. “We get the occasional argument.” It also brings questions about authenticity. How do you know if you’re getting real eiderdown? Courtesy Savior BedsPosnett noted that Iceland’s eiderdown industry shows signs of changing, especially as tourists descend on the country and people are leaving the rural areas for cities. Younger harvesters are abandoning the trade because of the weather and the isolation. They help regulate the temperature around you, helping you keep cooler when it's warm and warmer when it's cold. The incredible comfort helps you sleep more soundly throughout the night. Eiderdown possesses important characteristics which are absolutely necessary for the filling of high-quality duvets. It is respiratory-active and possesses a moisture-regulating effect to ensure a pleasantly warm and dry sleeping environment. Collection

Like the brave 300, companies broke the phalanx of fashion houses on a bristling wall of down clothes. Unlike the 300, brands like Berghaus, Montane and others, prevailed. The beards had won, and eider was once again the preserve of the mountaineers and hikers. Eiderdown harvesting mirrors truffle hunting more than it does typical down production. It’s collecting, a quiet art of observation and focus. It’s a meditation.Compression resistance: It is extremely resistant to compression, ensuring that duvets made from it will continue to stay fluffy. The concept for Arctic Bay was born from the northern Canadian region of the same name, which experiences some of the world’s harshest winters. Arctic Bay parkas were inspired by the Inuit people of Canada, and the traditional garment-making techniques they passed on through generations. Premium components such as Canadian coyote and beaver fur, leather, and high fill power down insulation ensure warmth levels. Wuxly Like many Lutheran parishes, the pastor’s land is among the most prized in the Westfjords. In the shadow of a steep glacial wall, his family home and church overlook a floodplain that leads to the shoreline. It was hard to conceive of a more peaceful spot for a family, yet there was an air of abandonment to the pastor’s home. Children’s toys lay scattered around on the floor and a layer of dust covered the work surfaces. The previous winter, he explained, the weather had got so bad that he and his family had to leave the parish and take an apartment in Ísafjörður. He now rarely spends any time in the house. “We were trapped here for 36 hours with no electricity, no phone,” he said. “I can’t be responsible for that.”