A New Zealand wool duvet breathes, wicks moisture and evens out your temperature through the night, which is why it suits our damp, changeable climate so well. If you are choosing a wool duvet in NZ, this guide explains which weight you need, what to check on the label and how to keep it fresh for years.
In brief
- For a cold New Zealand winter, a 450 to 600 GSM wool inner is the right band. Our winter inner is 500 GSM.
- Check the fill origin and percentage, the GSM, the cover fabric and certification, the quilting and the warranty before you buy.
- A wool duvet is dry clean only. Air it in the sun regularly and it will stay lofty and fresh.
Why wool works for New Zealand sleepers
Wool is an exceptional natural insulator, but its real strength is regulation rather than raw warmth. The fibre breathes, so heat and moisture can escape instead of building up under the duvet. In cool or damp conditions it draws excess moisture away from your body and keeps the bed dry and temperate.
That matters in New Zealand because our houses are often cold and damp in winter, and a synthetic duvet in a cold room tends to trap moisture and feel clammy. Wool keeps working with your body through the night, so you are less likely to wake hot at 2 am and cold at 5 am.
Wool is also naturally anti-bacterial and non-allergenic. It inhibits the growth of bacteria and dust mites, which makes a wool duvet a cleaner, healthier choice for people with sensitivities. You can read more about common mistakes people make with wool bedding in our article on wool bedding mistakes.
Our 500 GSM winter wool duvet inner in detail
Kiwi Wool makes one wool duvet inner, and we make it for winter. The 100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner is filled with premium New Zealand wool that has been double-washed without harsh chemical agents. That process removes the natural lanolin and plant residue while preserving the loft and performance of the fibre, so the duvet has none of the heavy farm smell some people expect from wool.
The fill is encased in a 100% cotton cover that is soft, breathable and certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Because wool is denser than alpaca, a wool duvet has a reassuring weight: a Queen inner weighs about 3.4 kg, a King about 3.9 kg and a Super King about 4.2 kg. Many people love that grounded feel in winter.
Customers have rated the 500 GSM wool inner 4.8 out of 5. It is made in our Auckland factory and, like every Kiwi Wool product, carries a 3-year warranty.
- Sale!
100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner
Price range: $199.00 through $259.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Wool duvet weights by season
GSM, or grams per square metre, tells you how much wool is in the duvet. Our temperature guide gives these bands for wool.
| Season | Climate | Wool duvet weight | Kiwi Wool option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hot | 200 to 300 GSM | 200 GSM alpaca inner |
| Spring and autumn | Mild | 350 to 400 GSM | 350 GSM alpaca inner |
| Winter | Cold | 450 to 600 GSM | 500 GSM wool inner or 450 GSM alpaca inner |
We currently make wool in the winter weight only. For summer and the shoulder seasons we recommend our lighter alpaca inners, because alpaca gives the same regulation with even less weight. The duvet GSM guide explains how alpaca and wool weights compare, and our winter duvet inner page sets the two winter options side by side.
- Sale!
200GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $176.90 through $243.90 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
350GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $232.20 through $322.20 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What to check on any wool duvet
Fill origin and percentage
The label should tell you two things: where the wool comes from and how much of the fill is wool. Look for 100% New Zealand wool. Blends with polyester are common and behave differently, and imported wool is not always washed to the same standard.
The GSM
A maker who is confident in their duvet states its GSM. If you only see words like “winter weight” or “warm”, ask for the number. Without it you cannot match the duvet to your bedroom or compare it fairly with another.
Cover fabric and certification
A wool duvet should be covered in cotton so the fill can breathe. Look for a down-proof weave, pre-shrinking and an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate, which confirms the fabric has been tested for harmful substances. Ours meets all three.
Quilting
Good quilting keeps the wool spread evenly so it cannot migrate into lumps and leave cold patches. Ask how the duvet is quilted. We quilt on a single-needle machine in Auckland, and you can read why we chose that method.
Made in New Zealand, or only designed here
Many duvet inners sold by large NZ retailers are filled or made offshore, even when the branding looks local. Check the label for where the duvet was made, not just where the company is based. Kiwi Wool duvets are made from start to finish in our own Auckland factory. See how we make them.
Warranty and returns
A natural duvet should last for many years, so look for a warranty that covers seam and fabric defects. Every Kiwi Wool product carries a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Because duvet inners are hygiene items, they cannot be returned unless faulty, so choosing the right weight and size before you buy matters.
Wool or alpaca?
Both fibres regulate temperature and resist dust mites, and both are made in our Auckland factory. Wool gives a grounded, weightier feel and is the more affordable of the two. Alpaca is lighter for the same warmth, free of lanolin and softer against sensitive skin. Our alpaca vs wool duvet comparison sets them side by side, and if you are weighing wool against feathers, read wool vs down duvets.
Caring for a wool duvet
A wool duvet is dry clean only. Do not machine wash or tumble dry it, because high heat can damage the structure of the fibre and cause shrinkage or clumping. For small marks, spot clean with minimal water.
The best everyday care is sunlight. Air your wool duvet in the sun regularly to keep the fibres fresh and bouncy. A new natural duvet can have a faint natural scent, which fades with airing. Our wool duvet care guide covers airing, storage and cleaning in detail.
Sizing. Our 500 GSM wool inner comes in Single (140 x 210 cm), Double (180 x 210 cm), Queen (210 x 210 cm), King (240 x 210 cm) and Super King (265 x 210 cm). Use our NZ duvet size guide to match it to your bed.
Ready for a warmer winter? Our 500 GSM wool duvet inner is made in Auckland from 100% New Zealand wool, covered in OEKO-TEX certified cotton and backed by a 3-year warranty. Shipping is free on NZ orders over $150 NZD, and you can call us on 09 622 1318 for advice on sizing.
Frequently asked questions
What GSM wool duvet do I need for winter in New Zealand?
Our temperature guide recommends 450 to 600 GSM wool for a cold winter. Our 100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner sits in the middle of that band and suits most New Zealand bedrooms, including cold and unheated ones.
Is a wool duvet too hot for summer?
A 500 GSM wool inner is a winter duvet. For summer our temperature guide suggests 200 to 300 GSM, and we recommend our 200 GSM alpaca inner, which breathes and wicks in the same way with less weight.
Can you wash a wool duvet?
No. Wool duvets are dry clean only. Spot clean small marks with minimal water and air the duvet in the sun regularly. Machine washing or tumble drying can shrink or clump the wool and is not covered by the warranty.
Do wool duvets smell?
Our wool is double-washed without harsh chemicals to remove lanolin and plant residue, so it does not carry a heavy farm smell. Any faint natural scent when new fades quickly with airing.
Are wool duvets good for allergies and dust mites?
Wool is naturally anti-bacterial and non-allergenic, and it inhibits the growth of bacteria and dust mites. If you react to lanolin, our alpaca inners are lanolin-free and may suit you better.