Is an Expensive Doona Worth It?

Lsbot on 04/04/2017 - 12:22

Hi all, I need to buy a new doona for my bed. Doonas seem to vary wildly in price between $50 to $500 or so.

I'd want a doona to last a very long time, and be durable enough to be washed and aired a lot over the years without losing it's puffiness. (My previous doona eventually sort of collapsed). Is this an item that it's worth spending hundreds on to get that longevity, or is it the type of product where the quality realistically plateaus at a certain cost and there's no point buying 'luxury'?

Thanks!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Findo on 04/04/2017 - 12:48
    +2

    Yes they're worth it, I'm using a doona that's older than me. In summer I use 2-3 cotton hospital blankets, in autumn I sometimes add a light wooden blanket to it and in winter I throw the old doing on top of the cotton blankets and get rid of the wool one. My sister bought a cheap doona that lasted two winters before it went crap.

    • altomic on 04/04/2017 - 13:22
      +13

      I sometimes add a light wooden blanket

      I love my balsa wood blanket.

      • sbot on 04/04/2017 - 13:29

        Haha I thought the same. Will definitely look for a nice doona as an alternative to a wooden blanket.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2017 - 13:33
        +3

        What do you make of throwing the 'old doing' on top? I wastefully flush my doings.

  • try2bhelpful on 04/04/2017 - 12:49

    get one with a high down/feathers ratio. You don't need a fancy cover, as the Doona cover will cover it. Make sure you get one that can brush down in Summer so you don't overheat and fluff up well in winter.

    Ours has been doing good service for, at least, 10 years and it is still fluffing up pretty good. I did have to repair the edges as they had worn through so I needed to overstitch them to stop leaking.

    I wouldn't go over the top but get a good quality one, they are worth the extra money.

    • sbot on 04/04/2017 - 13:28

      Thanks! Sounds like you got a good one, what kind of price range did you fall in to? Trying to gauge whether I hit 'good quality' at $100, $200, $300, or more?

  • Hiroko on 04/04/2017 - 13:20

    in a nutshell YES

  • Fergy1987 on 04/04/2017 - 13:24
    +1

    Yes - Being under a doona and still feeling cold is the worst. You should be able to sleep in boxer shorts in Winter with a toasty doona. No extra blankets or any of that garbage. If you need that your doona is no good!

  • altomic on 04/04/2017 - 13:30

    you're in Brisbane. same here.

    in summer I don't bother with a doona (even with air con). I've just started using my duck down doona last week (it's packed away in a suitcase durring summer). I got it from Myer 11 years ago. cost ~$120. when I first get it out of storage each year (when I start to feel cool at night) I put it in a big clear plastic bag and place that in the sun for a few hours. this mini "greenhouse" heats up the doona and destroys any bacteria or bugs or odours or whatever. then I lie it on the trampoline to air it for a day or so.

    It's always used in a cover and with a flat sheet.

    Brisbane weather- you don't need to spend up big. also, winter is usually 1 day a year.

    • sbot on 04/04/2017 - 14:11

      Ha yes, I ditch the doona in summer too. But I really like the feeling of one on my body, even when it's not particularly cold. It's cozy and comfortable. I usually bring the doona back out around march, and I put it back in storage around november.

      Is duck down a bit too warm? I'd prefer a doona I can use more months out of the year and throw a blanket on top of during the 1 week of cold evenings, to one that will overheat me most of the time.

      • altomic on 04/04/2017 - 14:33

        I find it warm and snuggly. it also depends on the % of feather to down. I think mine is 80/20 or 85/15. I do the extra blanket if it gets particularly cold.

        you can also look at wool quilts. I had one of those when I lived in Vic and it was toasty roasty

  • Findo on 04/04/2017 - 14:04

    Nice pickup there. Damn autocorrect. But yes, even a cheap doona is better than a wooden blanket!

    • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2017 - 11:11

      Wooden blankets are no good if you drop your claw hammer out of reach

  • iamw0man on 04/04/2017 - 14:16

    Just got a nice merino wool one from groupon and saved a fair bit. Check it out. Had never had a woollen one before and it was way too hot for summer though so I'm glad things are getting cold now!

  • princess peach on 04/04/2017 - 16:26
    +3

    I've found the Mini Jumbuk brand of doonas to be excellent. They usually go on sale for 40-50% off during the half yearly/yearly/mid season sales periods at David Jones and Myer.

    • salbee28 on 05/04/2017 - 15:53

      Definitely second the mini jumbuk/wool doona suggestions. Have had a mini jumbuk for the last 5 years & it is still going strong after numerous washes & stays on the bed constantly.

  • SharedSugar on 04/04/2017 - 17:14

    Wool quilts are great. Most can be washed, but only some can be tumble dried and they often cost a little extra. I have a minijumbuk too. They're Australian made too if that is important to you.

  • fruit on 04/04/2017 - 18:07

    Yes

  • pgcs on 05/04/2017 - 08:07

    Mine was about $200 nearly 30 years ago. It came directly from a sleeping bag manufacturer. One of the staff was a member of the same club& arranged a great deal on 100% down ones.

  • Qkumber on 05/04/2017 - 09:07

    Consider the cost if you need to get it dry cleaned or if you can wash it yourself. My queen down one costs about $50 to dry clean but I have a light wool one for summer that I can put in the washing machine myself.

    If you like weight go for a cotton or wool one, if you prefer light and fluffy go for feather/down. The more down the fluffier. Also if it has walls this will help it to stay fluffier longer (see image on link below for what I mean with walls).

    This is my winter doona (in Melb)and it is worth every cent. I got it on sale for 50% off from David Jones a few years ago. It is so light and fluffy!

    https://www.cottonbox.com.au/brands/sheridan/ultimate-dream-…

  • try2bhelpful on 05/04/2017 - 09:19

    Somebody in Whirlpool liked these guys. I've never used them so I don't know but they say they make them in Australia and they have a 5 year warranty. Might be worth a look.

    http://stores.ebay.com.au/Supreme-Quilts-Pty-Ltd

  • WT on 05/04/2017 - 09:44

    our is wool and was 50% off at spotlight about 13-15 years ago. We only use it maybe 2 months out of the year so you may see even less use in bris. From memory, it cost $70

  • weezlebub on 05/04/2017 - 09:59

    Definitely spend the money on bedding, i'd recommend 100% duck down

  • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2017 - 14:30

    I would recommend getting a duck down doona. I use one in summer and winter, unless it gets so hot that I just have a sheet. The important thing in winter is to add layers of different materials. This will create air pockets to keep the warm in. (Same idea when you go hiking in the cold.) You could even use newspaper lol, that would be the OzBargain way. I use one of those cheap warm blankets you can get at the super market or Kmart, on top of my duck down doona.

  • rad1 on 05/04/2017 - 21:11

    We bought a "four seasons combo" duck down doona - a light one for summer, mid weight for spring/autumn, and in winter combine the two. Worked out about same price as a single winter weight. In practice we used a sheet or nothing most of summer and have just put on the lightweight doona. We use mid weight most of winter and the combination on cold nights. Both are 85% down. They are really light with a really nice airy warmth.We tried wool, but it was too heavy and clingy. Duck down isn't as warm as goose down but not as expensive. I don't think you need goose down in Australia.

    The more down you have the warmer and softer the feel and the longer the doona should last as it is feather shafts which tend to force their way out. The other factor is the cover - you need a good quality cotton with some moisture resistance. Some down is also treated for moisture resistance which helps resist clumping. The pricing tends to reflect the % of down. We bought ours 50% off in DJs sale and found the sales staff pretty cluey. Do your research.

    Buying a quality doona will repay you many times over. You will have to pay. but what price is a good nights sleep - you spend 1/3 of your life in bed! I think we paid about $200 - 250 for a King size on sale.

    Also, check that the down is ethically sourced if you can.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/04/2017 - 11:17

    Target half price linen sales on twice a year
    Don't buy duck down in qld or NT, it's way overkill and you'll cook

  • kiitos on 06/04/2017 - 20:47
    -1

    What about acrylic? Sweaty I guess.

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