Warmest Comforter Materials
When it comes to buying a warm bed comforter, it’s important that you choose one that provides adequate warmth to get through those chilly winter nights especially if you live in colder climates. If you’re wondering what materials to look out for when shopping for super warm comforters, here’s a breakdown of some of the warmest materials used in making comforters.
Down
Down is one of the most extensively used comforter filling materials mainly known for its high insulating properties. Down is often sourced from goose, ducks, and swans that have been killed for their meat. However, there are companies that unethically source down as well, and it’s advisable to ensure that the manufacturer of the down product you want to buy observes ethical standards.
The level of warmth you get from a down comforter depends on the quality of down fill as well as TOG rating. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade which is a unit used to measure the warmth of bedding materials. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the comforter will be.
Down is a natural comforter material that is breathable and prevents sleepers from overheating. Although down comforters are slightly expensive, they are among some of the fluffiest comforters and the warmth they offer makes it worth the price.
Polyester
Polyesters are synthetic or rather human-made materials specifically made as an alternative to natural comforter filling materials. It traps moisture, and this makes it very insulating. Polyester comforters offer as much warmth as down comforters, are cheaper, and a lot easier to maintain.
However, the breathability is significantly less and incomparable to that of natural materials like down. This makes you sweat when the warmth is more than required.
Polyester may not also be skin-friendly and is not ideal for people with allergies due to the synthetic material. However, if you’re not a fan of animal products, it’s an excellent alternative to down comforters.
Wool
Wool is another natural material that is great for keeping the cold away. Wool is insulating because it traps air and contains keratin, which regulates body temperature in animals.
However, wool is not recommended as a comforter material for a couple of reasons. One of the reasons is that it does not warm up fast. However, heat retention is great once it does, but people living in moderate climes may find it too warm. Wool is also heavy.
Nowadays, many wool comforters are made using advanced technologies and a combination of materials to overcome these setbacks. But this makes the wool comforters pricey at the end, especially for good quality wool products.
Silk
Silk material is very soft and lightweight and still provides warmth and has a luxurious feel. It is insulating as it traps air between its threads. However, it is not recommended for use in regions where winters are harsh as it does not trap heat entirely like down, polyester, or wool. Silk can, however, be used in moderate winters or any other season.
Silk is entirely natural and 100 percent hypoallergenic, which makes it ideal for people suffering from allergies. However, only original and high-quality silk can guarantee anti-allergy. This further increases the price of the product as most manufacturers combine synthetically manufactured silk with original silk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a warm comforter?
You’ll have to consider a combination of several factors when selecting a warm comforter. The TOG rating plays a significant role in the selection process. For summer comforters, you need to choose comforters with a TOG rating of 5-7. If you live in colder climates, opt for a comforter that has a 10+ TOG rating to make sure you comfortably make it through those chilly nights.
Other than TOG rating, the material used is also essential. Down is the most preferred material for warm winter comforters, but there are some other alternatives as well discussed above.
Are comforters warmer than blankets?
Some blankets may be warmer than comforters but not as effective for keeping you warm completely. Blankets are made with a single layer of fabric, while a comforter contains multiple layers – the inner layer acting as an insulating material and stuffed between the outer layers.
Blankets made from wool provide a lot of warmth and are ideal for frigid regions. However, wool’s warmth retention capacity might cause sweating and discomfort when using these blankets in moderate climates.
Comforters provide appropriate warmth because of the insulating layer between them, which traps the air and lets it go at regular intervals. This makes them perfect for different climates and is not restricted to just winter or extremely cold climes.
Are Down Comforters warmer than Down Alternative?
Down alternative comforters, mainly polyester, provide as much warmth as down comforters. The weight, warmth, feel, price are all similar or somewhat better than down comforters. However, the down alternative comforters have breathability problems.
Despite various advancements in the production technology of down alternative comforters, they are still not as breathable as down. This results in sweating at night if the temperature is higher than expected. Air entrapment in the down alternative comforters is the leading cause of lower breathability. Natural down alternatives may be more breathable but do not provide as much warmth as down comforters. This is why down comforters are known as some of the most comfortable comforters.
Are microfiber comforters warm?
Microfiber comforters are warm enough to be used in colder climates. However, they are less warmer than down comforters, but considerably and comparatively warmer than other natural materials used as a comforter filling material.
Microfiber is a little on the heavy side and also not as fluffy as down. However, it is one of the best materials in terms of durability, price, and maintenance. Its only setback is that it is not as breathable as down comforters but it is a good alternative.
Why do fuzzy blankets feel warmer?
Fuzzy blankets feel warmer because of their layers caused by the uneven and frizzy nature of the material. Like comforters, the outer layer of fuzzy blankets provides additional insulation as the outer materials are not directly in contact with our body.
Besides the fuzziness and warmth, these blankets are incredibly soft and lightweight, making them portable and comfortable. However, they cannot be compared to comforters as comforters provide more warmth and comfort.