Across the United States’ eastern seaboard and in much of central Canada, it’s been one of the coldest winters for a long time. Major snowfalls, extreme low temperatures, and weather events like the “bomb cyclone” have kept people across the Northeast shivering at night and cranking up the heaters. You wouldn’t be the only one to find that your duvet was just no match for the freezing cold this winter.
You don’t have to suffer cold nights if you know how to find the perfect winter duvet. First, you need a few tips for telling which duvets work better for different seasons. While thread count may be the number you check first for comfort, warmth has to do with heaviness and you have 3 options:
Summer: 125 g/m2 is a warm weight, but generally much lighter and great for people who feel overheated when they sleep.
4 Seasons: 165 g/m2 is designed for very temperate climates or for people who tend to be fairly comfortable year-round.
Winter: 205 g/m2 is a great winter weight that will keep you toasty even on the coldest evenings. If you’ve been suffering through these winter nights lately, this is the weight you should be looking for.
Next consider down vs. down alternatives. Down provides better insulation at a fraction of the weight, meaning it breathes better and doesn’t feel like you’re trapped underneath the blankets. However, natural down is not recommended for allergy sufferers. Synthetic fills are less expensive, but may not provide the same amount of warmth at similar weights. Know what you’re buying when you shop for a duvet for the winter season.
Duvet construction is a factor you hear less about, but it’s essential for a long-lasting duvet that doesn’t let down shift and thin in certain areas. Hold up an old duvet to the light and see where the light shines through. That’s where the down has thinned and you’re covered by little more than just the fabric itself. Duvet constructions mitigate down shift and there are several types:
Quilt Stitching: This will give a duvet a checkerboard appearance. It’s less expensive than the baffle box construction and works well with lighter duvets.
Baffle Box: If you’re looking for the warmest winter duvet available, get baffle box construction. It’s the warmest though also often the most expensive option available. You won’t regret spending the extra money the next time the power goes out on a winter night.
Channel: These use parallel seams which allow the down to shift. If your partner prefers it warmer and you prefer it cooler, channel construction can be a good compromise.
There’s also gusset duvet construction that gives a duvet more height, though it’s based on the baffle box construction.
Staying warm in the winter doesn’t have to be a struggle if you pay attention to the kind of duvet you’re buying and go for a high-quality comforter. Just be careful; a cozy duvet might make it even harder to get up in the morning.
