No shame at all the number of hours I’ve lost trying to find something that actually lives up to the word “lofty” is ridiculous lol If you're still looking, try this one: it’s baffle box construction, real goose down (not feather blends), 700+ fill power, and it actually holds up.You're totally right to not trust photos too in my experience. I can just offer you some advice here: the good ones usually have baffle box construction (not just stitched-through), 700+ fill power, and don’t try to pass off feather blends as goose down try this, I’m sure it will hold up for you too. More on reddit.com

I prefer charter club at macys for down comforter. Also look into woolroom.com highly recommend wool comforters over down/feather. More on reddit.com

My Duvets Now: I have four Feathered Friends duvets that I’ve bought over the last 3 years. I have a king 700 Bavarian, two throws, and a prototype baby duvet (as a lap blanket). I love love love them. I appreciate the ethical down sourcing, made in the USA (and Seattle, where I live), and the Bavarian type construction. Past Duvet Experiences: I had an EU single size duvet from a small maker in Germany in the 90s with Bavarian construction that I loved. But, it’s a down and feather mix, which I don’t love as it and I aged because it feels a bit spiky after decades. FF’s pure down is bliss and the throws are just a smidge shorter than the EU single size. And I have baffle box king duvets that I fought hard to get the down back into the boxes in the center. I love that FF stays fluffy with the Bavarian construction. And with a light comforter, the sewn throw approach doesn’t make it noticeably colder for me. Small Makers: I’ve had experience (as said above) with a very small maker in Bavaria, and I just wish so much that my parents had sprung for 100% down back then. It’s still is such good shape and it breaks my heart a bit that they went cheaper with a down/feather mix. FF and SQ are both small makers, which I prefer to support. For FF, it can be annoying as specific products come in and out of stock. I wish they kept a waiting list for people wanting a specific size and style. I know they will email you when it’s in stock but that’s not the same. Some small makers, such as Supreme Quilts, will take the order and make the duvet to fulfill the specific order so there’s not the out of stock issue. Fancier Options Out There: FF is like sleeping under a cloud. I love it. I’ve seen the fancier brands and eiderdown, and I’m sure it’s bliss. But for me, I don’t need the warmest of the warm or the lightest of the light, so FF hits my “in love with a product that is a good value with strong ethics” spot. I couldn’t stomach paying over $1000 for an eiderdown duvet especially when I sleep hot! Local: FF is a local company for me because I live in Seattle. I’ve ridden my bike to the store to shop and buy there, which is lovely, but not a draw for most people on this thread! I even ran into my US Senator outside the store and we talked about the company. But again, this is because of where I live. TLDR: I loooooove my four Feathered Friends duvets so much. But if you’re wanting something that is out of stock at FF or something different than what’s on their website, I think the other options you mention look outstanding. I just don’t have recent experience with other brands. More on reddit.com

Do your homework. Nearly all the retail sellers are trying to get you to buy lower quality at higher prices. If they aren’t giving full specs (fill power, amount, grade, place of origin, percentage of down vs feather) then assume the worst. And then the ones that do (US and Canada) are probably way overpriced. Check out: Supreme Quilts . Read the page on the various levels of downs. The US sized comforters are probably the best value, bar none. They offer different amounts of fill depending on desired warmth. Full transparency, top quality, low prices. I have bought from them. I bought 95% White Polish goose down because I think that’s the value. More on reddit.com