Down. Current price, quality, & supply.

**DemostiX** · 05-02-2013, 19:58

From two age peers who know the business. This is not to say that there isn't hyper-premium NOS down available somewhere TO YOU at pre-shortage prices. But this is the time when amateurs are sold stuff that doesn't measure up. Read the second sentence below.All commercial content removed from this snip from a current newsletter.

"DOWN ... GOOD ... BAD ... UGLY ... So ...

Bad ... We expect to exhaust our current supply by mid-may ...

Ugly ... The most recent imports of down advertised at 1000 fp failed measurement testing, and worse, failed retesting for even the 900fp level ... The global supply issues are persisting and are not likely to improve any time soon ... And even when it does, supplies of 900 fp or better will likely be rare and/or extremely pricey ... Even 800 fp prices are rising due to the increased demand."

**Catavarie** · 05-02-2013, 20:57

So the people on the inside who make their money off of selling down are saying that we are running out of down and that 800fp and better down is going to cost more?

I don't see any conflict of interest there at all.

**TallPaul** · 05-02-2013, 21:20

No worries this has been solved

**Fish<><** · 05-02-2013, 22:24

Originally Posted by TallPaul

No worries this has been solved

Haha good one Paul!

**HappyHiker** · 05-03-2013, 01:15

Originally Posted by Catavarie

So the people on the inside who make their money off of selling down are saying that we are running out of down and that 800fp and better down is going to cost more?

I don't see any conflict of interest there at all.

+1

One company claiming unavailability does not make a worldwide shortage.

If it is true, I suspect they are referring to goose down of an unspecified variety (Hungarian, European, Canadian etc.) from a specific supplier. The only certified 1000+ FP down I have ever seen available at exorbitant prices is Eider down, and have read several sources that in general duck/goose down will most likely never exceed 900 FP reliably.

In the end, it's all about supply and demand. I can see where the demand for the higher FP is growing - without resources to meet that demand (the supply is fairly static) and would result in an increase in prices. Duck is a far more available source of down worldwide, IMO any rise in prices in goose down will most likely cause a shift to usage of duck instead, or simply accepting a little more weight in a lesser FP down in order to reduce costs. Not so good for individuals that look to the high FP down for it's weight advantage, such as backpackers.

**DemostiX** · 05-03-2013, 11:25

Originally Posted by Catavarie

So the people on the inside who make their money off of selling down are saying that we are running out of down and that 800fp and better down is going to cost more?

I don't see any conflict of interest there at all.

The difference between prophecy and heresy is the source, eh?

The quote was from the Jacks, the second time they've reported on down supply and prices in a newsletter. They are not yet passing on price/cost increases along they've already incurred.

Only on-topic as relates to supply and demand: Read boards & blogs about the accumulation / hoarding (?) of ammunition and shortages in the wholesale and retail chain. <smile> Of course, if the down is contained in a quilt, of which there are 7-12 hanging in the gear closet, then it isn't hoarding -- it's a hobby.

**Cannibal** · 05-03-2013, 11:37

Originally Posted by DemostiX

Of course, if the down is contained in a quilt of which there are 7-12 hanging in the gear closet, it isn't hoarding, it's a hobby.

Well, that's how I see it.

**warbonnetguy** · 05-03-2013, 13:42

The shortage is true, and widepread, down prices are also going through the roof with all suppliers because of it

**ringtail-THFKAfood** · 05-03-2013, 14:43

Down is durable. Like gold it can be recycled. Old sleeping bags will be recycled into hammock quilts.

The synthetic fibers get better every year. Currently, they are not as durable or light, but are an acceptable substitute if down prices go too high.

Commodity prices go up and down. The more durable the commodity the better the market is able to adapt.

Hope it does not raise the price of bacon.

**HappyHiker** · 05-03-2013, 23:34

Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

The shortage is true, and widepread, down prices are also going through the roof with all suppliers because of it

I'm curious what the cause of the shortage is. Lower consumption of waterfowl? Higher demand? New markets desiring product?

So at least 2 vendors confirm an issue. Hopefully more light will be shed on the subject that can provide a clearer picture of the market/supply chain.