Got a question about featherbeds...

[Cataholic]

I have slept with a feather mattress (actually, it is a tick, not a mattress, what we call 'topper') for years and years. I have never taken off the topper in the summer, or any other time, except when J was an infant and I was worried about SIDS.

I also have a feather comforter that stays, like Barbara, at the foot of my bed in the really hot weather.

Feather/down is an insulator...both ways...it is kind of like people that shave their dogs/cats in the summer. That fur has an insulating effect both in the cold AND the heat. I think the feather mattress serves a purpose in the summer.

[sirrahbed]

I keep thinking about this topic and wondering *why* that mattress topper just does not feel right in summer - no reason that it should be hot since it is *under* us in this case - but I can't stand it in summer. There is just something more cooling about smooth sheets that you can't feel with the feather topper. In winter, however, it is SO COZY!!!

I am thinking that the European featherbeds go *over* like covers?......what Americans call down or feather comforters/duvets? Or do they go both under AND over? In summer, I still like my down comforter because it is so light and cool.

[Asiel]

I leave mine on year round because we have the a/c. I store the down comforter though. I think sweating and not sleeping has a lot to do with how tired you are and what you have for supper - I know I'll sweat to death even with the a/c if I have a heavy supper so I try to watch what I eat...key word "try". As for pillows I need the down pillows , anything else is just not comfy.

[kitten645]

It presents warmth during the winter months by trapping entire body heat; a down feather bed will also retain you cool in summer. It's a natural product. Ducks don't shed in summer
Claudia