The down and feathers used in UNIQLO products are sourced exclusively from waterfowl raised under strict standards. These operations are conducted by just three facilities in China (for 2026 Autumn & Winter) that demonstrate superb quality management. Creating a quality product from natural materials begins with removing any foreign matter. The cleaning process is divided into stages. Foreign matter is removed, and the down goes through a washing step, where it is rinsed in water and washed with cleansers ahead of antimicrobial treatment. Next comes multi-stage drying which leads into a cooling step where the feathers are fluffed while even smaller particles of unwanted material are removed. Lastly the down feathers are sorted by quality (1).

To remove any metal picked up from the spaces where the birds were raised, the material is subjected to deferrisation, as part of a fifteen-stage panel of quality assurance testing (2). This testing also involves steps for assessing fill blend and fill power, cleanliness, oxygenation, turbidity, and pH, among which cleanliness holds top importance. Since waterfowl spend much of their lives on land, their feathers can accumulate dust, dirt, grease, and bits of metal. Foreign matter is eliminated through high-temperature washing and drying steps, with an aim toward sterilisation. Neglecting these crucial processes can lead to unwanted smells and allergenic products. To maintain strict quality standards, the washing steps use cleansers free from hazardous ingredients.

China produces about 40,000 tons of down per year. Yet only the top 10% of this satisfies UNIQLO’s exacting standards. Items utilise 750 fill power down*, which has exceptional heat retention. Down with higher fill power naturally forms clusters that have higher air content, giving them excellent warmth. As standard*, UNIQLO uses a blend of 90% down and 10% feathers, giving items both superior warmth and lightness.

*Excludes items using recycled down

High fill power down is specially selected using a feather sorting machine (3). Down balls are blasted with a powerful current of air, so that only the choicest clusters remain. Sorting the down with a mind toward quality and efficiency helps to reduce energy use and environmental impact. Thanks to a fastidious quality control process, UNIQLO down items have become an indispensable part of how the world keeps warm in winter. In a word, they’re a masterpiece.