Best Duvet Filling? Wool Is Better Than Down For Sleep

Choosing a new comforter? There’s a lot to think about. Not only do you want something that’s comfy and cozy, but you also want to make sure that you’ve chosen the best comforter filling. Whether you’re after a touch of luxury for your comforter, or you’re just looking for something practical that keeps you warm on a chilly night, we’re here to help you find the best comforter for the best sleep.

The ongoing debate of whether to opt for a wool or down comforter is one of the more testing decisions to make when you’re searching for the perfect bedding. Ultimately, the best comforter material is the one that provides a healthier sleep for both your mind and body – and the one that you select matters more than you might think, as a new study reported in the Daily Mail has revealed.

Research carried out by the University of Leeds, and commissioned by Woolroom, has shown that sleeping under a wool comforter boosts your chance of a good night’s sleep when compared with other alternatives. Not only does this keep your mind well rested and alert for the day ahead, but choosing wool comforter filling also ensures that you’re snuggling up with something that will provide you with top quality comfort night after night. Take a look at the findings below – the proof is in the numbers!
 

This study has shown that wool outperforms polyester and down filled comforters by a huge 67% in terms of moisture management. Wool is also more environmentally friendly due to its ethical sourcing, and wool bedding from Woolroom is also encased in 100% organic cotton – it’s an unbeatable combination.
 

Effective temperature and moisture management key to sleep

When it comes to quality of sleep, overheating and general clamminess from season to season is one of the most common causes of waking up at night. After all, disrupted sleep can lead to a person feeling tired and lethargic, even if they’ve made an effort to have an early night.

In order to identify the best comforter filling for sleep, the study looked at both thermal insulation and moisture management – two key qualities for keeping cool and reducing night time sweating.
 

Wool comforter filling helps you reach optimum temperature for sleep

The researchers tested the wadding from wool, feather/down and polyester comforters in two different environments – one in the cooling down phase from 70°C and the second in the warming up phase from 17°C. They found that in both environments, wool was the most effective at managing moisture. In fact, it performed significantly better than both polyester and feather/down filled comforters over an eight hour period.

The study also found that wool reached the optimum temperature for sleep (35.1°C), faster than polyester and feather/down and was able to maintain this temperature consistently – crucial qualities to prevent waking during the night. By contrast, feather/down filled comforters and polyester alternatives were unable to maintain the optimum temperature consistently, instead reaching 36.1°C and above.
 

Down filled comforters are the least effective for moisture management

The study also found that feather/down comforter wadding was the least efficient material for moisture management. It allowed the least amount of moisture to escape and was outperformed by wool by 67%. In other words, sleeping under a feather comforter is more likely to result in waking up hot and sweaty during the night when compared with wool. Wool also provided 43% more moisture transmission than polyester, making it by far the most effective at providing a cool, comfortable sleeping environment.
 

Why is wool the best comforter for sleep?

While the study focused on heat and moisture management – two of the most important qualities for a great night’s sleep – wool offers other benefits too. For example, its hypoallergenic properties make it a great choice for people who suffer with asthma and other allergies, as its resistance to dust mites and fungal spores helps to prevent allergy symptoms at night. And of course, it offers a natural sleeping environment too.

By choosing wool comforter filling, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of everything wool has to offer. Not only will it keep your temperature steady and boost your comfort to optimum levels throughout the night, but it’s also naturally absorbent, fire retardant, sustainable, renewable and wrinkle resistant!

Ready to discover more about the sleep-enhancing properties of wool? Read 5 Reasons to Choose Wool Bedding for more information on why this miracle material is the smart choice for sleep.

Ready to browse for your next comforter? Take a look at our ranges below.
 

• The Luxury Range: Traceable Wool Comforters
• The Deluxe Range: Washable Wool Comforters
• The Classic Range: Classic Wool Comforters