# Weighted Blankets **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 12, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782 "2019-12-12T21:40:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/1 "2019-12-12T21:40:00Z")
Some time ago my son came home after spending the night at a friend’s home and raved about the weighted blanket he used. He bought one and loves it. I finally decided to try, and I have to admit that i sleep better than ever under it. Anyone else have one? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/2 "2019-12-12T21:54:40Z")
Mrs. ToKnow got interested in them after reading about them online and bought one a while back when Costco had them. She made it halfway through one night. It was simply too much weight. She thought it would be comforting and it turned out to be oppressive. ETA: part of the problem may have been that (a) we don’t have a footboard on our bead, and (b) I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate the thing at all, so it was entirely on her side of the bed, and hence the thing may have been slowly sliding off her in two directions all night. Dunno for sure. When I woke up, it was in a pile in another room, and I just asked “When did that happen?” and she said “About 2 a.m. It’s going back.” ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/3 "2019-12-12T21:59:13Z")
My sister loves hers, and so does her daughter. Me, I have a heavy silk comforter that replaced a down one, and I do like its heft and prefer it to down which is very light. It’s not a weighted blanket, per se, but it’s a similar concept and from this data of mine and my sister’s, I’d agree that a weighted blanket is a good way to go. Hope this is helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/4 "2019-12-13T00:28:17Z")
I have a 12-pound weighted blanket and I love it. I only use it during the cold part of the year. I have a king-size bed and a twin-size blanket, which I turn sideways because it bugs me to have my feet weighed down that far, but over my torso it feels wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/5 "2019-12-13T01:05:01Z")
I couldn’t take it. Felt like I was being held down. The lil’wrekker took it and loves it. It goes where she goes. ---
**Author:** ![Mnemnosyne](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mnemnosyne/32/3347_2.png) [@Mnemnosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnemnosyne)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/6 "2019-12-13T01:21:11Z")
I tried one of these just a couple weeks ago. Gave it a shot for three nights, but didn’t seem to do anything to help me sleep, I still woke up the usual amount during the night. It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, but it wasn’t particularly helpful either, so I returned it. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/7 "2019-12-13T01:55:00Z")
My wife says the 20-pounders are way too heavy, and I bought one anyway, and I use it every night so I don’t have to admit she was right. I would recommend a 4 or 8 pounder. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/8 "2019-12-13T15:57:12Z")
I purchased a 12# blanket last summer. Which was a dumb time to try a weighted blanket since the weather was quite hot. I tried it a couple of times, but like I said it was too hot. When the temperatures dropped, and I mean DROPPED, I took it out again. Now I’m in heaven! My bedroom is pretty cool (around 60 degrees) and that’s how I like it. I also have a fan on while I’m sleeping. This week we had some way below 0 temps. I put my polar fleece sheets on the bed, then a regular comforter, the weighted blanket, and on top of that a light quilt made out of my son’s t-shirts. Some nights I can hardly wait to get into bed! I burrow under all of those layers like a bear hibernating. And most nights, I sleep like a bear hibernating! Once in awhile I’ll get too warm so I fold the blankets down a bit and within a few minutes I’m cold. Then it feels like heaven to get back under my blankets. I read that your weighted blanket should only weigh about 10% of your body weight. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/9 "2019-12-13T15:59:45Z")
I’ve heard of them, but do not understand how/why they are purported to be beneficial. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/10 "2019-12-15T02:58:35Z")
Mrs. Mustard has a 20 pounder and loves it. I tried it and knew almost immediately that it wasn’t for me. It was too…how can I put this…_heavy_. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2019, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/11 "2019-12-15T03:10:17Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve heard of them, but do not understand how/why they are purported to be beneficial. Same. I mean, I believe people who say they work for them, but I just find the concept horrifying. I’m honestly having trouble breathing just thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2019, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/12 "2019-12-15T03:29:16Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve heard of them, but do not understand how/why they are purported to be beneficial. I assume it’s a comfort thing. A lot of people (though clearly not everyone) like the feel of heavy blankets on them and it helps them sleep. I’ve not heard of weighted blankets before this thread, but just this week my mother-in-law and I were discussing how we both like sleeping under heavy comforters and prefer the room temperature to be cold and wrapped up under a heavy comforter vs warm and sleeping under a sheet. Obviously, your mileage varies. To me, there’s nothing more comfortable than being snuggled under a pile of blankets. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2019, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/13 "2019-12-15T04:09:22Z")
I own one and hate it. It gave me bad insomnia, I would wake up constantly at night. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/14 "2019-12-16T06:18:45Z")
I have a 20 lb one and it’s terrifying because it’s so heavy. But I thought that it was worth trying once more. So I searched long and hard for a 10 lb 60"x80" weighted blanket and [this one](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MDFLN56/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I love. One thing to note: right now is a **terrible** time to buy a weighted blanket - most of the prices go up in November and December by a lot. If you wait a couple of weeks, you can probably save $20-60 on them. I got the one I linked to for $34 and free shipping rather than $54 and $10 shipping like is tonight, and I got the first blanket on December 30th last year for almost half the price it’d been a week earlier. Use [CamelCamelCamel](https://camelcamelcamel.com/) to track the price if you plan to order from Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/15 "2019-12-16T06:51:24Z")
> [@Kamino\_Neko](#): > > Same. I mean, I believe people who say they work for them, but I just find the concept horrifying. > > I’m honestly having trouble breathing just thinking about it. It’s a sensory thing. They’re big in the ASD community. It’s like a whole body hug, all night (I understand there are people who aren’t much into hugging either- and that’s okay) I don’t have one but I pile up the duvets for the same effect. Before I lived in a house with aircon I used to drive myself crazy every summer trying to sleep under a single sheet in the heat - couldn’t do it. No amount of practice and acclimatisation could rid me of the need to have something pressing down on me to feel relaxed enough to nod off ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/16 "2019-12-16T12:34:56Z")
I can’t imagine anything more oppressive. If I’m covered by even a sheet, I wind up having to kick it off. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/17 "2019-12-16T14:11:13Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > It’s a sensory thing. They’re big in the ASD community. It’s like a whole body hug, all night > > (I understand there are people who aren’t much into hugging either- and that’s okay) > > I don’t have one but I pile up the duvets for the same effect. Before I lived in a house with aircon I used to drive myself crazy every summer trying to sleep under a single sheet in the heat - couldn’t do it. No amount of practice and acclimatisation could rid me of the need to have something pressing down on me to feel relaxed enough to nod off I totally get this- I’ll stick my leg out from under the sheet to cool off a little but it’s only a matter of minutes before I tuck it back under the sheet again. I’m not “cold” just. . . \*exposed \*(?) On the other hand, a weighted blanket puts me in mind of the lead blankets they put on you when you get dental x-rays. The feel of those aren’t bad for 30 seconds but I’m not sure I could have one on me all night. Are they similar in concept to the blankets people put on their pets to calm them during storms? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/18 "2019-12-16T14:40:28Z")
Whereas I have some body part hanging out from under the covers unless I’m really cold. I generally prefer light-weight covers, and use down in the winter. But I get how it could feel nice to have a heavier blanket. I’m curious about the people who say they feel confined and worry about breathing. Do you sleep on your back? Because when I’m on the side the covers aren’t close to my ribs anyway, and I don’t think the breathing thing would have even occurred to me. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/19 "2019-12-17T01:53:09Z")
mrAru got me a 15 pound one, and I absolutely love it when I am alone. Difficult when he is in bed with me because he doesn’t like it, and it is hard to keep a double size on one side of the bed only. We are upsizing to a king in a couple months, and i will have him get me a twin sized one to see if that works better when we are in the same bed. ---
**Author:** ![Kovitlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kovitlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kovitlac)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782/20 "2019-12-17T15:10:39Z")
I’d try one if granted the opportunity, but just from the sound of it, I don’t think I’d like it. I love blankets, and I love them wrapped around me, but I think a weighted blanket would leave me feeling smothered. I can’t really put my finger on it, but when I imagine what a weighted blanket feels like, I don’t like it. Like I said though, I’d try one if the opportunity came up, but I’m not paying much money for something there’s a decent chance I won’t like. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weighted-blankets/844782.md?page=2)