Choosing a winter duvet inner in NZ comes down to two numbers: how cold your bedroom gets and how much weight you like on top of you. Kiwi Wool makes its winter inners in Auckland from New Zealand wool at 500 GSM and New Zealand alpaca at 450 GSM, plus a combo that buttons together to 550 GSM.
Every inner is quilted in our own factory, cased in OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified cotton and covered by our 3-year warranty. The grid below shows live prices and stock in every size from single to super king.
- 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 - Sale!
450GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner
Price range: $253.50 through $363.50 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
100% Alpaca Duvet Inner 450GSM Brown
Price range: $215.00 through $322.20 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page - Sale!
Alpaca Duvet Combo (200 + 350 GSM)
Price range: $375.50 through $545.30 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
What GSM do you need for winter?
GSM is grams of fill per square metre, so a higher number means more fibre and more warmth. Our temperature guide, based on 22 years of making duvets for New Zealand homes, recommends the following. The duvet GSM guide explains it in more depth.
| Season | Climate | Alpaca duvet | Wool duvet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hot | 200 GSM | 200 to 300 GSM |
| Spring and autumn | Mild | 250 to 350 GSM | 350 to 400 GSM |
| Winter | Cold | 400 to 500 GSM | 450 to 600 GSM |
That is why our winter inners sit at 450 GSM for alpaca and 500 GSM for wool. Alpaca needs fewer grams to reach the same warmth because the fibre is semi-hollow and holds more air.
Our winter duvet inners compared
| Option | Fill | GSM | Feel | Weights on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner | New Zealand wool | 500 | Heavier, cocooning | Queen 3.4 kg, King 3.9 kg, Super King 4.2 kg |
| 450GSM 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner | New Zealand alpaca | 450 | Warm but light | Queen about 3.0 kg, King about 3.5 kg |
| 100% Alpaca Duvet Inner 450GSM Brown | New Zealand alpaca | 450 | Same warmth, natural brown cotton cover | Single 2.0 kg, Double 2.7 kg |
| Alpaca Duvet Combo (200+350gsm) | New Zealand alpaca | 550 when buttoned | Two inners, adjustable | Use one inner for the rest of the year |
Wool or alpaca for winter?
Wool is the classic New Zealand winter duvet. Ours is 100% NZ wool, double-washed without harsh chemicals so the lanolin is removed but the loft stays. At 500 GSM it is the heaviest and warmest single inner we make, and many people love being anchored under it on a frosty night.
Alpaca gives you the same winter warmth with less weight. By our rule of thumb alpaca is around 25% warmer and lighter than sheep’s wool, it is free of lanolin so there is no prickle, and it is naturally anti-bacterial and resistant to dust mites. Choose the 450 GSM alpaca if a heavy duvet makes you feel trapped, or if you share with someone who runs hot. Our alpaca vs wool duvet page goes through every difference.
Cold regions and unheated bedrooms
Winter in Otago, Canterbury and the Central Plateau is a different thing from winter in Auckland, and many New Zealand bedrooms are not heated overnight at all. In a cold or unheated room, go to the top of the range: the 500 GSM wool, or the alpaca combo buttoned together to 550 GSM.
In a heated room, or in the north, the 450 GSM alpaca is usually enough on its own, and the 350 GSM alpaca will see many Aucklanders through a mild winter. If you run cold and your partner runs hot, our post on thermoregulating duvets for couples has practical answers.
Tip. A natural fibre inner breathes, so it will not leave you sweating at 3 am the way a heavy synthetic can. Wool and alpaca both wick moisture away from the body.
Layering through the year
The alpaca duvet combo is our answer to New Zealand’s four seasons in one house. Use the 200 GSM inner in summer, the 350 GSM inner in spring and autumn, and button both together for a 550 GSM winter duvet. When the weather turns, see our summer duvet inners for the lightweight end of the range.
Care, delivery and warranty
All our inners are dry clean only. Air an alpaca inner outdoors in the shade and a wool inner in the sun, and it will stay fresh for years without washing. Small marks can be spot cleaned with minimal water. Full instructions are in our duvet care guide.
NZ orders over $150 NZD ship free, orders are generally sent within 5 working days, and delivery by Aramex usually takes up to 7 days. Every inner carries our 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects, and our 39 published customer reviews are rated 4.8 to 5 out of 5.
Frequently asked questions
What is the warmest duvet inner in NZ that you make?
The 100% NZ Wool 500GSM Duvet Inner is our heaviest and warmest single inner. The alpaca combo buttons two inners together to 550 GSM and is warmer still, with less weight.
Is a 500gsm duvet inner warm enough for winter?
Yes. Our temperature guide recommends 450 to 600 GSM wool for cold winter conditions, and 500 GSM sits comfortably in that band. In a heated bedroom it may be more than you need.
Is alpaca or wool warmer for a winter duvet?
Gram for gram, alpaca is warmer because the fibre is semi-hollow and traps more air. Our 450 GSM alpaca gives winter warmth similar to the 500 GSM wool while weighing less.
How heavy is a winter duvet inner?
Our 500 GSM wool weighs about 3.4 kg in queen, 3.9 kg in king and 4.2 kg in super king. The 450 GSM alpaca is about 3.0 kg in queen and 3.5 kg in king.
Can I use a winter duvet inner all year?
A 450 or 500 GSM inner will be too warm for most people in summer. The alpaca combo is the better all-year option because you can split it into a 200 or 350 GSM inner when it warms up.
Ready for a warmer winter? Browse the range by fill below, or call 09 622 1318 for advice on your region.