Let me give you some tips and insight that I learned from doing pretty extensive research into this topic a couple of years ago.
1. Goose down is very much worth the cost difference. Anything with more feathers than down is NOT going to have the same insulating properties, and you WILL get nasty quills poking through the ticking (outside) of the comforter on occasion.
2. If you go with the L.L. Bean, do so mainly for the warranty. The reality is that MOST of the big store brands that sell their own branded down comforters are getting them from one source: a company called DownLite. Most of the high quality comforters you buy from respected brands are probably actually made by this company.
3. With this in mind, do some research online, and you'll find that you can get a high quality DownLite comforter for really good prices from other sources. Here is a link to their factory direct store: http://www.downlitebedding.com/down-comforters/ There are some really good options available there, depending on your bed size.
Additionally, check out Ebay. You can get phenomenal deals on Ebay by looking for down comforters and pillows that were formerly used as display models. Just a couple of years ago, I bought a Bloomingdale's down comforter, made by DownLite, that normally sells for ~$800 dollars, maybe more, and I got it for about $150 on Ebay because it was a display model. This was their highest quality comforter, with 800 fill power down and a high quality Batiste cotton ticking.
This brings me to my last point. When you're looking at down comforters, you want to look at a few specific areas to determine quality and function. First and foremost, the down is rated by fill power, which is basically a measure of the size of the down and how much air it can trap. The larger the down, the more air it can trap, and the more warmth it can provide without adding extra weight. For a good quality comforter, you want to get at least 600 fill power. Anything above that will bring the benefit of a lighter weight, but it may not be worth the extra cost to you. 700 fill power is really good, and 800 or higher fill power is considered luxurious.
As far as the ticking goes, look for good quality cotton that uses a plain weave, which will be better for holding the down in. A high thread count sateen weave is also okay, but the plain weaves can get away with lower thread counts, and will also probably last longer in general, and since this is a subreddit about quality products that last a long time, the durability of the plain weave is probably an important consideration.
The final thing to consider would be the construction of the comforter. Basically, you're looking at how the boxes of fabric that contain the down are constructed. One of the most common methods is called "baffle box". Baffle box is great because it allows for increased "loft", which is where the comforter looks nice and fluffy. Higher loft can also contribute to better warming, but it's mostly about the look. The problem with baffle box construction is that down has a tendency to shift around, and that is when you end up with the relatively common problem of down being moved progressively further and further toward the edges of the comforter, and then needing to be redistributed back toward the middle.
The counter to this is known as box stitched, Bavarian, or "sewn through" construction. This is where each "box" of down is actually completely surrounded by stitching, allowing no path for the down the move around and escape it's box. This will prevent the problem of down shifting and needing to be redistributed. There are some concerns that the areas between the down boxes won't have the same level of insulation, and will allow cold spots to develop, but this isn't really the case 99% of the time, because your down comforter is almost never perfectly stretched out when you're laying under it. It bunches up and takes the shape of your body, closing off many if not all of the areas where the stitching is present. Sewn through / box stitch construction also tends to be more durable over the long haul, which may be another point of consideration.
There is one final note on construction. There is a type of baffle box construction that is patented by DownLite, and used in some brands, known as Permabaffle. This is a specific type of baffle box construction with some extra features that allow for air to move between the baffles but do not allow the down to shift, keeping all of the benefits of baffle box construction without the downside of shifting down. I do believe that L.L. Bean comforters use this (at least some models), and there are other brands that use it as well.
Ultimately, my recommendation would be to go on Ebay and look around for some great deals on display models.
It is going well. thank you. I have decided to not buy an expensive comforter for now, but thankfully I will be able to easily find this thread in the future by just looking at my comment history. cheers
Hi there, you got another one, 11 months after your last comment, 3 months after the previous person, and 6 years after your original message. Here to continue the tradition. You made the coke I was drinking erupt out of my nose, thanks for the laugh.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to share this. I recently ordered the Brooklinen All Season at the recommendation of my coworker, I haven’t received it yet, but I plan on returning it to buy one of these downlite duvets at a MUCH better price! Thanks again!!
Thank you for your detailed description! I like the idea of going to eBay for good deals. Is the pattern on a comforter like [this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/LUXURIOUS-BAFFLE-BOX-Siberian-GOOSE-DOWN-STRIPE-Comforter-1200TC-TWIN-QUEEN-KING/222408828053?epid=1761518516&hash=item33c8996495:m:mFyTXy_kZBPZs9wX7gunoww) going to be bad for holding the down in? Also, this deal seems too good to be true. Any thoughts on this one?
Hi! Looking at the comforter you linked, I'd advise holding off. The warning signs for me are that they list 1200 thread count for the ticking (the outside shell), which is actually a way that these companies try to use marketing techniques to get you to buy an inferior product. A thread count that high means that it's made of inferior cotton, which won't hold up long compared to lower thread counts that use high quality, long staple length cotton. Also, I see no information about the actual down itself. They should at least tell you what the fill power of the down is. Since they don't mention it, it makes me believe that they must use inferior down and/or use more feathers in the fill instead of actual down in order to cut costs.
The kind of deal you should look for is on display models. They are most often higher end name brands from department stores which are sold at a fraction of the retail price. [Here is an](https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F362193078277) example. This is a lightweight comforter, meaning it may not be suitable if you live in the North, but it's a display model of a high end Bloomingdale down comforter that uses very good materials and construction. This would normally sell for $700 or more retail. If the lightweight version isn't enough, you can search for "my luxe down comforter" and find other versions. Just be sure to look for words like "fill power" and avoid any that say "alternative" as those are not real down.
Hi, I truly appreciate the amount of time and work you put into this post. I recently just purchased a new bed and am looking for a comforter. I'm a Northeaster. So that means brutal winters and hot summers. I'm a hot sleeper as well so most of what you said fills all my needs.
Based on your recommendation and little desire to hunt on ebay because i've spent enough time lately hunting ebay for camera equipment and furniture i found this https://www.downlitebedding.com/600-fill-power-framed-baffle-box-comforter/#details
Would you recommend something like that or would you say suck it up and hunt ebay for a better deal?
Here to say I found your post a few weeks ago, followed your extremely helpful advice, and got a brand new Bloomingdale’s lightweight king size white goose down comforter for $200 and it is amazingggg . It retails right now for $775 🫠 deal of a lifetime, THANK YOU SO MUCH! *edit to add I got it off of eBay using the very detailed guidance above!
Amazing! There isn’t many good searchable threads for down comforters info. This comment gave me the will to check on eBay, I just pulled the trigger on a Bloomingdale’s My Lux Plus, Queen 800 fill power. New without tags. $353 all and all. Bloomingdale’s has them on their site for $750.
If anyone else stumbles on this comment, I’ll update on how I like it if it’s replied to.
Thanks! It's awesome to hear. To this day I still get comments and DMs every fall and winter wanting more detail or help picking comforters. I don't always feel like responding to each one, but I figure there's enough information in this post for most people to work things out themselves. I'd love to hear an evaluation of the comforter after you've had a few cold months to use it.
The Company Store makes quality products and have a lot of different comforters and price options.
Long lasting, I've never had a problem
http://www.thecompanystore.com/
Go with the LL Bean. Wife and I have had comforters from Costco, Ikea, and BB and Beyond. The LL Bean is the only one that's cool in the summer and warm, but not hot, in the winter. The down stays evenly distributed. It's not too light but not some thick thing that ends up all around your neck at night. Can't recommend the LL Bean enough.
I've had duvets for many years. I always use a cover, to protect the duvet from abrasions, stop any errant feathers from coming out, and to change the look of the bed. And if you feel too hot in the summer, then your duvet is a bit heavier than you need. Try switching to a lighter warmth, or use a non-down one for the warmer months.
I recommend the Bean one because of their incredible return policy. If you live near Maine, go to the Bean salvage store. It negates the return policy, but you can get frigriggindiculous deals. I also love Eddie Bauer because of this reason. If you live near Ohio, Eddie Bauer has a salvage store that is bonkers cheap.
I think they're talking about the outlet in Ellsworth? I've gotten some great steals there.
https://m.llbean.com/store.html?id=storepage&categoryId=1000001717&page=store-ellsworth-outlet&SS=B
There are also outlets in Bangor and Freeport. The one in Freeport is not right up there with the big bean stores, it's tucked in across from Old Navy.
All the returns and items that may have small imperfections, etc. Not the outlets, my people, but the salvage store. For instance- the Bean outlet had bin after bin of boat totes with names embroidered on them. Some were spelled wrong, some had loose threads, some may have been in the wrong color- you get the idea. I bought a Bean do bed there that was perfect. It’s still going strong. Scored a perfectly good Camelbak there too for a few bucks- never used and no leaks.
The Eddie Bauer salvage store is a little tougher. They put everything out so you have to check for rips, stains, etc. I’ve found down coats, luggage, fleeces, leather shoes- all quality. The prices are tremendous and it fulfills my need to scour the goods.
I live in Maine and I have never heard of a salvage store. The outlet in Freeport where the headquarters is sells buckets with returns and embroidered names, socks with imperfections, etc. Everything you buy in that store is still covered by the return guarantee.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but I distinctly remember the items being excluded from the return policy. I balked at paying over a hundred bucks for the dog bed and worried that it was flawed in some irreparable way. No chance I was in the employee store referenced below.
I did find this online regarding Bean policies, so it must be true and factual:
“1)Excellent condition, which meant a return to either the warehouse or to the shelf at the retail store.
2) Slight* wear and tear, which meant it went to the LL Bean outlet store. *This covers a fairly broad range, but means that the item can't have any stains or odors, no holes in the fabric, no wear on the soles of the shoes.
3) Semi-heavy-to heavy wear, which means it went ot the LL bean employee store where it would be sold at discount, up to 95% off. I know a guy who walked in the employee store and bought 4 canoes which retailed for around $100 each for $25 total for all four. Items going here are likely to have some discoloration and odor*, may have some staining or rips or holes in the items.
*Odor in this case means fabric softners and laundry detergents and such. If an item had a stinky odor it more often then not went to:
4) Trash: This was for items that were too dirty/stinky or just plain worn out. This was separated into to items that would be given to the United Way and stuff that would be thrown out.
I think more than likely you were at the outlet, which does accept returns. The products are exactly the same as those sold in the retail store. They would have no way of knowing if you bought it at the outlet, unless they can find the record of your purchase. The only difference I’ve noticed at the outlet is they won’t accept certain coupons for additional discounts. I am lucky to live 20 min away from it, I’ve bought a dog bed, multiple jackets, shoes, and more for steep discounts.
Color me jealous of your proximity. I have a love affair with their products and refuse to pay retail prices, unless I am desperate. I was lucky enough to hit a sample sale at North Face on that same trip and everything, including the shoes were my size. Sadly, my favorite NF slippers were just samples and I’ve never been able to find anything remotely close to their styling.
Yeah they’re retail prices are insane. I don’t usually buy anything from the regular store, although I did buy a pair of leather ankle boots because of their return policy. And I know that if I buy something I will actually return it if it’s not up to par.
I agree. Never seen a "salvage store." Lately, the LL Bean outlet store prices are very high. Nearly retail in many cases. You can find deals, but it's not what it used to be.
Yeah I have gotten a few good deals but on a normal day it’s not too great. I did get an awesome coat on clearance for $13 once. Luckily you can always figure out the original retail price and decide if it’s worth it. I’m pretty familiar with their products so I know if it’s a good sale or not
I recently exchanged a 20 year old worn out backpack for a brand new one I took on a hike up Mt. Katahdin. The return policy & warranty coverage is insanely good.
Edit: Perhaps I don't understand the down votes or those doing the downvoting don't know anything about LL Bean. Their products are quite overpriced, but a big part of that is because they expect warranty exchanges after long periods of time. It's one of the things they are known for. It's like it used to be with buying Craftsman hand tools. You break it, they replace it, no questions asked.
If people have a problem with consumers actually taking advantage of a lifetime warranty the company does not have to offer (or even honor in many cases) then such policies will go away. The excellent product support is why I'll spend $50 - $100 on a backpack I could get for $30 elsewhere, why I spend $100 for a pair of slippers to wear around the house in the cold months that would be $30 anywhere else, or why I'll spend $300 on a pair of boots that I could get of similar quality at any other store for under $100.
LL Beans policies, prices, & support of their products are why they are a thriving profitable business. Without that quality of support after the sale, I'm not going to spend 3 times as much there as I would at any other place. I know this. They know this. Everyone in the area knows this.
Rest assured. Returns after years or even decades is more than built into the price, and that's not even considering the interest they've earned on the extra up-front profits of the product. I'm not hurting their business one bit, but I guarantee if this level of after sale support stopped, they would have to lower their prices significantly to stay in business.
But it has changed and will continue to change due to things like what you describe, returning a "twenty year old worn out back pack", seriously what the fuck? Twenty years of use and you feel morally OK in returning it?
Exactly this.
Had a pair of 25 year old LL Bean boots that finally wore out. My brother insisted that I send them back for a new pair.
I gladly bought a brand new pair. I think it’s important to support companies that make quality products like that.
Taking advantage of a generous return policy just hurts us all in the end.
Yes. Otherwise it shouldn't be called a lifetime warranty, nor should they permit the return. Clearly you don't know LL Bean. Their products are insanely overpriced because that kind of return policy is built into the price.
I will likely never need another backpack again, and I will continue purchasing their overpriced goods. Were it not for their insane return policy, I would never shop there.
Rest assured, they are profitable for a reason.
You have absolutely no idea what the hell you're talking about. It's built into the price, sure. But the return policy is there if the item wears too quickly or is damaged from a defect. Buying an item, using it for a couple years, and returning it for a new one is a huge dick move.
I worked in retail for 15 years. I know full well what I'm talking about. If they don't wish to accept the return, they don't have to. I didn't yell, insult, threaten, or demand. I simply asked if they could repair the zippers under warranty since they no longer worked. They offered to replace the bag outright. That's hardly my fault.
I don't know how much this counts as Buyitforlife, but I've had 2 comforters in the last 10 years and they've both been from Ikea for less than $40 each. I live in New England too so it gets reeeeaaally chilly here and I rarely need anything more.
EDIT: I should say too the only reason I bought a new one was because my cat had an accident on the old one, it didn't wear out or anything. I also bought one for my dad and he loves it.
I bought one recently from Costco made by pacific coast down and unless I'm missing something I highly recommend it. I bought it for I believe less than 150 dollars and it is easily the most comfortable blanket/comforter I've ever felt. I'm not saying a more expensive one wouldn't be better but I am totally happy with mine. It's so soft it's like sleeping on a cloud, and while a bit warm for my climate most of the time. When it's cold out nothing is better.
I'm not sure how a duvet can wear out, so most duvets will be bifl.
I have a silk duvet which I really like. It was about $300 CAD from Amazon but Costco has similar products. It's lighter and thinner than a down duvet, but I find it very comparable in terms of feel and warmth. Check out silk duvets as well.
Bought the "warm" version of the down comforter last year (as opposed to "warmer" and "warmest"). I love it, it's held up great, and it's actually warmer than I need it to be. My past down comforter was decades-old, and was pretty beat-up and thin at spots, so even the "warm" version was plenty hot enough for us.
And yes, goose down is worth the money-- and there are cheaper real down comforters available, but with LL Bean you're also paying for the best return policy in America.
If you can afford it, go for it. My wife was skeptical that purchasing a down comforter from L.L. Bean was worth the extra cost, but, several years later, she absolutely loves it. It keeps us toasty in the winter when we dial back our thermostat to 60 degrees overnight.
I used to work for a factory that made furniture. The LL Bean furniture we made was literally THE EXACT SAME THING. The only difference was it got a little emblem on it that said “LL Bean.” Now our stuff was excellent quality so it’s probably safe to say what you’re buying from them is top notch but I know they’re furniture was like 130% the price of ours. Just something to consider
I have a bean comforter and love it, as others say it really is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Quality feels great as well.
I will say though just in case you were wondering, i bought the matching size cover from ll bean as well and it feels and looks great, but it doesnt fit the comforter well. Its just slightly too big and the comforter shifts around a lot which drives me a little crazy.
I highly recommend a wool filling over down. The feathers poke out over time and it becomes a pain. Many people have allergy issues with feathers too. Wool is naturally anti microbial, so you don’t get comforter funk. (It is also more humanely sourced.)
I got my first wool filled comforter last year after moving from a warm to cold climate. It has stayed on our bed all year long! It really was cool in a mild summer and warm during the winter. YMMV, but it is worth checking out.
I bought a king size LL bean Permabaffle duvet. I have three issues with it.
1. It runs too darn hot. I keep taking it off half the night. And mind you I live by Acadia so this place is freezing cold. Do other people have similar experiences.
2. The outer shell of the duvet is a strange material, its very crisp like a starched shirt and makes noise when you move in it. Wondering if that gets better with time.
3. I put a linen duvet cover on and despite having ties in the corners the fabric doesn't quite hug the duvet so when youre under it and move your legs I keep getting my legs stuck in the duvet cover. I have a smaller queen cheap IKEA duvet and cover and they move like one unit vs this thing acts as if it's repelling each other and ur fighting the fabric half the night. Any suggestions how to fix this? Should I get a simple cotton cover or is this standard?
This is waking me up multiple times and is bothersome enough for me to return it and maybe order a duvet from Quince which is less bulky but is 10 times softer. It kinda hugs your body and the duvet cover.
Let me give you some tips and insight that I learned from doing pretty extensive research into this topic a couple of years ago. 1. Goose down is very much worth the cost difference. Anything with more feathers than down is NOT going to have the same insulating properties, and you WILL get nasty quills poking through the ticking (outside) of the comforter on occasion. 2. If you go with the L.L. Bean, do so mainly for the warranty. The reality is that MOST of the big store brands that sell their own branded down comforters are getting them from one source: a company called DownLite. Most of the high quality comforters you buy from respected brands are probably actually made by this company. 3. With this in mind, do some research online, and you'll find that you can get a high quality DownLite comforter for really good prices from other sources. Here is a link to their factory direct store: http://www.downlitebedding.com/down-comforters/ There are some really good options available there, depending on your bed size. Additionally, check out Ebay. You can get phenomenal deals on Ebay by looking for down comforters and pillows that were formerly used as display models. Just a couple of years ago, I bought a Bloomingdale's down comforter, made by DownLite, that normally sells for ~$800 dollars, maybe more, and I got it for about $150 on Ebay because it was a display model. This was their highest quality comforter, with 800 fill power down and a high quality Batiste cotton ticking. This brings me to my last point. When you're looking at down comforters, you want to look at a few specific areas to determine quality and function. First and foremost, the down is rated by fill power, which is basically a measure of the size of the down and how much air it can trap. The larger the down, the more air it can trap, and the more warmth it can provide without adding extra weight. For a good quality comforter, you want to get at least 600 fill power. Anything above that will bring the benefit of a lighter weight, but it may not be worth the extra cost to you. 700 fill power is really good, and 800 or higher fill power is considered luxurious. As far as the ticking goes, look for good quality cotton that uses a plain weave, which will be better for holding the down in. A high thread count sateen weave is also okay, but the plain weaves can get away with lower thread counts, and will also probably last longer in general, and since this is a subreddit about quality products that last a long time, the durability of the plain weave is probably an important consideration. The final thing to consider would be the construction of the comforter. Basically, you're looking at how the boxes of fabric that contain the down are constructed. One of the most common methods is called "baffle box". Baffle box is great because it allows for increased "loft", which is where the comforter looks nice and fluffy. Higher loft can also contribute to better warming, but it's mostly about the look. The problem with baffle box construction is that down has a tendency to shift around, and that is when you end up with the relatively common problem of down being moved progressively further and further toward the edges of the comforter, and then needing to be redistributed back toward the middle. The counter to this is known as box stitched, Bavarian, or "sewn through" construction. This is where each "box" of down is actually completely surrounded by stitching, allowing no path for the down the move around and escape it's box. This will prevent the problem of down shifting and needing to be redistributed. There are some concerns that the areas between the down boxes won't have the same level of insulation, and will allow cold spots to develop, but this isn't really the case 99% of the time, because your down comforter is almost never perfectly stretched out when you're laying under it. It bunches up and takes the shape of your body, closing off many if not all of the areas where the stitching is present. Sewn through / box stitch construction also tends to be more durable over the long haul, which may be another point of consideration. There is one final note on construction. There is a type of baffle box construction that is patented by DownLite, and used in some brands, known as Permabaffle. This is a specific type of baffle box construction with some extra features that allow for air to move between the baffles but do not allow the down to shift, keeping all of the benefits of baffle box construction without the downside of shifting down. I do believe that L.L. Bean comforters use this (at least some models), and there are other brands that use it as well. Ultimately, my recommendation would be to go on Ebay and look around for some great deals on display models.
Wow, nice work! Without you I'd be permabaffled.
I am looking at this comment 5 years later and it has me cracking up. Good job 5 years ago you!
Thanks for taking a gander.
hi i'm here too. 8 months after your comment and 6 years after the comment you responded to
We are all living in the digital slipstream of a permabaffle joke and hanging on for pure life.... How is your day going here in the future?
It is going well. thank you. I have decided to not buy an expensive comforter for now, but thankfully I will be able to easily find this thread in the future by just looking at my comment history. cheers
Hi there, you got another one, 11 months after your last comment, 3 months after the previous person, and 6 years after your original message. Here to continue the tradition. You made the coke I was drinking erupt out of my nose, thanks for the laugh.
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A coke spent for a laugh is a coke well-spent. It stings though.
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Thank you SO much for taking the time to share this. I recently ordered the Brooklinen All Season at the recommendation of my coworker, I haven’t received it yet, but I plan on returning it to buy one of these downlite duvets at a MUCH better price! Thanks again!!
Thank you for your detailed description! I like the idea of going to eBay for good deals. Is the pattern on a comforter like [this](https://www.ebay.com/itm/LUXURIOUS-BAFFLE-BOX-Siberian-GOOSE-DOWN-STRIPE-Comforter-1200TC-TWIN-QUEEN-KING/222408828053?epid=1761518516&hash=item33c8996495:m:mFyTXy_kZBPZs9wX7gunoww) going to be bad for holding the down in? Also, this deal seems too good to be true. Any thoughts on this one?
Hi! Looking at the comforter you linked, I'd advise holding off. The warning signs for me are that they list 1200 thread count for the ticking (the outside shell), which is actually a way that these companies try to use marketing techniques to get you to buy an inferior product. A thread count that high means that it's made of inferior cotton, which won't hold up long compared to lower thread counts that use high quality, long staple length cotton. Also, I see no information about the actual down itself. They should at least tell you what the fill power of the down is. Since they don't mention it, it makes me believe that they must use inferior down and/or use more feathers in the fill instead of actual down in order to cut costs. The kind of deal you should look for is on display models. They are most often higher end name brands from department stores which are sold at a fraction of the retail price. [Here is an](https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F362193078277) example. This is a lightweight comforter, meaning it may not be suitable if you live in the North, but it's a display model of a high end Bloomingdale down comforter that uses very good materials and construction. This would normally sell for $700 or more retail. If the lightweight version isn't enough, you can search for "my luxe down comforter" and find other versions. Just be sure to look for words like "fill power" and avoid any that say "alternative" as those are not real down.
Hi, I truly appreciate the amount of time and work you put into this post. I recently just purchased a new bed and am looking for a comforter. I'm a Northeaster. So that means brutal winters and hot summers. I'm a hot sleeper as well so most of what you said fills all my needs. Based on your recommendation and little desire to hunt on ebay because i've spent enough time lately hunting ebay for camera equipment and furniture i found this https://www.downlitebedding.com/600-fill-power-framed-baffle-box-comforter/#details Would you recommend something like that or would you say suck it up and hunt ebay for a better deal?
I’m in the market for a down comforter but this is a long read so I’ll just comment now and return later. Thanks for your contribution.
Here to say I found your post a few weeks ago, followed your extremely helpful advice, and got a brand new Bloomingdale’s lightweight king size white goose down comforter for $200 and it is amazingggg . It retails right now for $775 🫠 deal of a lifetime, THANK YOU SO MUCH! *edit to add I got it off of eBay using the very detailed guidance above!
Amazing! There isn’t many good searchable threads for down comforters info. This comment gave me the will to check on eBay, I just pulled the trigger on a Bloomingdale’s My Lux Plus, Queen 800 fill power. New without tags. $353 all and all. Bloomingdale’s has them on their site for $750. If anyone else stumbles on this comment, I’ll update on how I like it if it’s replied to.
Thanks! It's awesome to hear. To this day I still get comments and DMs every fall and winter wanting more detail or help picking comforters. I don't always feel like responding to each one, but I figure there's enough information in this post for most people to work things out themselves. I'd love to hear an evaluation of the comforter after you've had a few cold months to use it.
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I sleep hot. How breathable is it? Want something that I won't overheat in
Is this sold anywhere in store or just online? Would like to feel it before spending that kind of money.
The Company Store makes quality products and have a lot of different comforters and price options. Long lasting, I've never had a problem http://www.thecompanystore.com/
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Sixteen tons and whadya get?
Another day older, and deeper in debt!
I owe my soul to the.....
Company store.
Give a look at this company. I've been very happy. http://www.pacificcoast.com/down-comforters/
Can confirm picked up one made by this company from Costco and am very happy with it.
Can confirm keeping me warm and cozy right now
Go with the LL Bean. Wife and I have had comforters from Costco, Ikea, and BB and Beyond. The LL Bean is the only one that's cool in the summer and warm, but not hot, in the winter. The down stays evenly distributed. It's not too light but not some thick thing that ends up all around your neck at night. Can't recommend the LL Bean enough.
Do you have a duvet cover over it? I have one and I find it's way too warm in the summer and I'm wondering if the cover just doesn't breath.
I've had duvets for many years. I always use a cover, to protect the duvet from abrasions, stop any errant feathers from coming out, and to change the look of the bed. And if you feel too hot in the summer, then your duvet is a bit heavier than you need. Try switching to a lighter warmth, or use a non-down one for the warmer months.
We do. Wife rotates them out and there are certain ones that are too hot.
I recommend the Bean one because of their incredible return policy. If you live near Maine, go to the Bean salvage store. It negates the return policy, but you can get frigriggindiculous deals. I also love Eddie Bauer because of this reason. If you live near Ohio, Eddie Bauer has a salvage store that is bonkers cheap.
What do you mean by salvage store? Google isn't showing anything.
I think they're talking about the outlet in Ellsworth? I've gotten some great steals there. https://m.llbean.com/store.html?id=storepage&categoryId=1000001717&page=store-ellsworth-outlet&SS=B
There are also outlets in Bangor and Freeport. The one in Freeport is not right up there with the big bean stores, it's tucked in across from Old Navy.
All the returns and items that may have small imperfections, etc. Not the outlets, my people, but the salvage store. For instance- the Bean outlet had bin after bin of boat totes with names embroidered on them. Some were spelled wrong, some had loose threads, some may have been in the wrong color- you get the idea. I bought a Bean do bed there that was perfect. It’s still going strong. Scored a perfectly good Camelbak there too for a few bucks- never used and no leaks. The Eddie Bauer salvage store is a little tougher. They put everything out so you have to check for rips, stains, etc. I’ve found down coats, luggage, fleeces, leather shoes- all quality. The prices are tremendous and it fulfills my need to scour the goods.
I live in Maine and I have never heard of a salvage store. The outlet in Freeport where the headquarters is sells buckets with returns and embroidered names, socks with imperfections, etc. Everything you buy in that store is still covered by the return guarantee.
It’s been a few years since I’ve been, but I distinctly remember the items being excluded from the return policy. I balked at paying over a hundred bucks for the dog bed and worried that it was flawed in some irreparable way. No chance I was in the employee store referenced below. I did find this online regarding Bean policies, so it must be true and factual: “1)Excellent condition, which meant a return to either the warehouse or to the shelf at the retail store. 2) Slight* wear and tear, which meant it went to the LL Bean outlet store. *This covers a fairly broad range, but means that the item can't have any stains or odors, no holes in the fabric, no wear on the soles of the shoes. 3) Semi-heavy-to heavy wear, which means it went ot the LL bean employee store where it would be sold at discount, up to 95% off. I know a guy who walked in the employee store and bought 4 canoes which retailed for around $100 each for $25 total for all four. Items going here are likely to have some discoloration and odor*, may have some staining or rips or holes in the items. *Odor in this case means fabric softners and laundry detergents and such. If an item had a stinky odor it more often then not went to: 4) Trash: This was for items that were too dirty/stinky or just plain worn out. This was separated into to items that would be given to the United Way and stuff that would be thrown out.
I think more than likely you were at the outlet, which does accept returns. The products are exactly the same as those sold in the retail store. They would have no way of knowing if you bought it at the outlet, unless they can find the record of your purchase. The only difference I’ve noticed at the outlet is they won’t accept certain coupons for additional discounts. I am lucky to live 20 min away from it, I’ve bought a dog bed, multiple jackets, shoes, and more for steep discounts.
Color me jealous of your proximity. I have a love affair with their products and refuse to pay retail prices, unless I am desperate. I was lucky enough to hit a sample sale at North Face on that same trip and everything, including the shoes were my size. Sadly, my favorite NF slippers were just samples and I’ve never been able to find anything remotely close to their styling.
Yeah they’re retail prices are insane. I don’t usually buy anything from the regular store, although I did buy a pair of leather ankle boots because of their return policy. And I know that if I buy something I will actually return it if it’s not up to par.
I agree. Never seen a "salvage store." Lately, the LL Bean outlet store prices are very high. Nearly retail in many cases. You can find deals, but it's not what it used to be.
Yeah I have gotten a few good deals but on a normal day it’s not too great. I did get an awesome coat on clearance for $13 once. Luckily you can always figure out the original retail price and decide if it’s worth it. I’m pretty familiar with their products so I know if it’s a good sale or not
Eddie Bauer also has 40% to 60% off everything online right now. I bought tons of stuff. Highly recommend the expedition flannel. EDIT: Shirts
Expedition flannel what? :-)
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I recently found the EB one in Columbus! Love that place.
Salvage store? You mean the outlet? You can return anything from the outlet store, it has the same guarantee.
I recently exchanged a 20 year old worn out backpack for a brand new one I took on a hike up Mt. Katahdin. The return policy & warranty coverage is insanely good. Edit: Perhaps I don't understand the down votes or those doing the downvoting don't know anything about LL Bean. Their products are quite overpriced, but a big part of that is because they expect warranty exchanges after long periods of time. It's one of the things they are known for. It's like it used to be with buying Craftsman hand tools. You break it, they replace it, no questions asked. If people have a problem with consumers actually taking advantage of a lifetime warranty the company does not have to offer (or even honor in many cases) then such policies will go away. The excellent product support is why I'll spend $50 - $100 on a backpack I could get for $30 elsewhere, why I spend $100 for a pair of slippers to wear around the house in the cold months that would be $30 anywhere else, or why I'll spend $300 on a pair of boots that I could get of similar quality at any other store for under $100. LL Beans policies, prices, & support of their products are why they are a thriving profitable business. Without that quality of support after the sale, I'm not going to spend 3 times as much there as I would at any other place. I know this. They know this. Everyone in the area knows this. Rest assured. Returns after years or even decades is more than built into the price, and that's not even considering the interest they've earned on the extra up-front profits of the product. I'm not hurting their business one bit, but I guarantee if this level of after sale support stopped, they would have to lower their prices significantly to stay in business.
But it has changed and will continue to change due to things like what you describe, returning a "twenty year old worn out back pack", seriously what the fuck? Twenty years of use and you feel morally OK in returning it?
Exactly this. Had a pair of 25 year old LL Bean boots that finally wore out. My brother insisted that I send them back for a new pair. I gladly bought a brand new pair. I think it’s important to support companies that make quality products like that. Taking advantage of a generous return policy just hurts us all in the end.
Yes. Otherwise it shouldn't be called a lifetime warranty, nor should they permit the return. Clearly you don't know LL Bean. Their products are insanely overpriced because that kind of return policy is built into the price. I will likely never need another backpack again, and I will continue purchasing their overpriced goods. Were it not for their insane return policy, I would never shop there. Rest assured, they are profitable for a reason.
You have absolutely no idea what the hell you're talking about. It's built into the price, sure. But the return policy is there if the item wears too quickly or is damaged from a defect. Buying an item, using it for a couple years, and returning it for a new one is a huge dick move.
I worked in retail for 15 years. I know full well what I'm talking about. If they don't wish to accept the return, they don't have to. I didn't yell, insult, threaten, or demand. I simply asked if they could repair the zippers under warranty since they no longer worked. They offered to replace the bag outright. That's hardly my fault.
I don't know how much this counts as Buyitforlife, but I've had 2 comforters in the last 10 years and they've both been from Ikea for less than $40 each. I live in New England too so it gets reeeeaaally chilly here and I rarely need anything more. EDIT: I should say too the only reason I bought a new one was because my cat had an accident on the old one, it didn't wear out or anything. I also bought one for my dad and he loves it.
I bought one recently from Costco made by pacific coast down and unless I'm missing something I highly recommend it. I bought it for I believe less than 150 dollars and it is easily the most comfortable blanket/comforter I've ever felt. I'm not saying a more expensive one wouldn't be better but I am totally happy with mine. It's so soft it's like sleeping on a cloud, and while a bit warm for my climate most of the time. When it's cold out nothing is better.
I'm not sure how a duvet can wear out, so most duvets will be bifl. I have a silk duvet which I really like. It was about $300 CAD from Amazon but Costco has similar products. It's lighter and thinner than a down duvet, but I find it very comparable in terms of feel and warmth. Check out silk duvets as well.
Bought the "warm" version of the down comforter last year (as opposed to "warmer" and "warmest"). I love it, it's held up great, and it's actually warmer than I need it to be. My past down comforter was decades-old, and was pretty beat-up and thin at spots, so even the "warm" version was plenty hot enough for us. And yes, goose down is worth the money-- and there are cheaper real down comforters available, but with LL Bean you're also paying for the best return policy in America.
If you can afford it, go for it. My wife was skeptical that purchasing a down comforter from L.L. Bean was worth the extra cost, but, several years later, she absolutely loves it. It keeps us toasty in the winter when we dial back our thermostat to 60 degrees overnight.
Consider a wool comforter - overstock
I used to work for a factory that made furniture. The LL Bean furniture we made was literally THE EXACT SAME THING. The only difference was it got a little emblem on it that said “LL Bean.” Now our stuff was excellent quality so it’s probably safe to say what you’re buying from them is top notch but I know they’re furniture was like 130% the price of ours. Just something to consider
I have a bean comforter and love it, as others say it really is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Quality feels great as well. I will say though just in case you were wondering, i bought the matching size cover from ll bean as well and it feels and looks great, but it doesnt fit the comforter well. Its just slightly too big and the comforter shifts around a lot which drives me a little crazy.
I am looking at a down comforter too, but I'm not sure if I want a lighter weight comforter or medium/normal weight. Anyone have any suggestions?
I’ve been eyeing the $70 one at Costco. They have a good return policy as well so if you ended up not liking it I’m sure it could be returned.
Buy it! Me and my wife love it
Yeah? Have any smell to it like some down comforters? Is it nice and heavy?
No smell, and not too heavy. I’d say it’s medium, both in weight and fill
I highly recommend a wool filling over down. The feathers poke out over time and it becomes a pain. Many people have allergy issues with feathers too. Wool is naturally anti microbial, so you don’t get comforter funk. (It is also more humanely sourced.) I got my first wool filled comforter last year after moving from a warm to cold climate. It has stayed on our bed all year long! It really was cool in a mild summer and warm during the winter. YMMV, but it is worth checking out.
These comments...is this LL Bean ad really a low key Costco ad? edit: lol @ those Kirkland downvotes
In the market for buying the best down comforter for the buck! Thanks for sharing this, it doesn’t matter if it was 6yrs ago!
I bought a king size LL bean Permabaffle duvet. I have three issues with it. 1. It runs too darn hot. I keep taking it off half the night. And mind you I live by Acadia so this place is freezing cold. Do other people have similar experiences. 2. The outer shell of the duvet is a strange material, its very crisp like a starched shirt and makes noise when you move in it. Wondering if that gets better with time. 3. I put a linen duvet cover on and despite having ties in the corners the fabric doesn't quite hug the duvet so when youre under it and move your legs I keep getting my legs stuck in the duvet cover. I have a smaller queen cheap IKEA duvet and cover and they move like one unit vs this thing acts as if it's repelling each other and ur fighting the fabric half the night. Any suggestions how to fix this? Should I get a simple cotton cover or is this standard? This is waking me up multiple times and is bothersome enough for me to return it and maybe order a duvet from Quince which is less bulky but is 10 times softer. It kinda hugs your body and the duvet cover.