They’re fluffy. They’re white. Duvet inserts like the Parachute Down Duvet Insert are hard not to compare to a cloud. The pillowy down, the lightness, and warmth make the bed look like you lie on top of puffy, cotton-top clouds. Duvet inserts can be hit or miss, some with more feathers than down and deflated sadness than fluffy comfort. For those on the hunt for a duvet that takes the bed from “blah” to “ahh,” I put the Parachute to the test. I have to go over a few specs, so you know exactly what this insert has to offer compared to some of the other options. First is the 750 fill power white down in an 85/15 ratio of down to feathers. Fill power is down’s fluffiness factor. It indicates how much air an ounce of down can trap, which also tells you its insulating ability. A high fill power down, 600 or up, offers more warmth per ounce because each ounce of down traps more air. At 750, the Parachute’s definitely at the high end for fill power and quality. However, almost all down products are not made of 100 percent down, and this duvet insert is no exception. It’s 85 percent down and 15 percent feather/down fiber. That may sound subpar, but it’s not. You’ll stay plenty warm. At 750 fill power and 85 percent down, this duvet insert is built for warmth. It’s labeled as an all-season model. Generally, and the Parachute follows this pattern, all-season down duvet inserts are too warm for summer and, sometimes, late spring and early fall, depending on where you live. I was deliciously warm every night. In truth, a little too warm. I tested the Parachute in early fall and definitely got too warm until the nighttime temperatures dropped into the 40s. Granted, I am a warm sleeper, as is my husband. If you sleep cold, it might be fine. However, if you’re like me and easily overheat, you’re going to need a different insert in the summer. However, the Parachute is dreamy. If you’ve ever slept in a duvet that’s more feathers than down, you may have noticed it loses its loft, and cold spots develop as the feathers and down shift. That does not happen with the Parachute. The square baffles stay puffed and fluffed. Not once did I wake up to a cold spot. Speaking of baffles, I have to point out that baffle construction is one of the best (and highest quality) construction options for a down insert. It’s not just the warmth and loft that makes the Parachute worthy of a dream sequence. The Parachute’s 100 percent cotton sateen says luxury and smooth softness, not crunchy inexpensive synthetics. I used the insert in a linen duvet cover because it protects the insert and is easier to clean. However, the shell is soft enough that you could sleep without a cover and still be completely comfortable. Thankfully, the Parachute’s corner ties kept the cover in place all night long. If you’ve ever tried to untangle a duvet insert from the cover, you know why duvet inserts without corner ties are the devil’s blankets. You can strangle yourself, trying to straighten out an insert without corner ties. There was no wrestling this duvet and cover. They stayed in place.
Can the Parachute Down Duvet Insert be machine washed?
Unlike some inserts, the Parachute is dry clean or machine washable. I hesitated to machine wash it but put it through to make sure the insert would hold up over time. I followed the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, washing on the gentle cycle with a gentle liquid detergent. The Parachute filled my high-capacity washing machine (no agitator). When I say filled, I mean to capacity. Machine washing might not be an option if you don’t have a monstrous washing machine like mine that looks like it’s part space shuttle. This insert held up beautifully in the washer and dryer. It’s a little scary to take down products out of the washing machine because they look like a wet cat. But, I put the Parachute through two drying cycles on the lowest heat setting, and it fluffed back into shape without a problem. Washing also got rid of a slight feathery odor that I’d noticed right out of the package. The odor wasn’t overpowering, but I was glad to see it go after a good washing.
Is the insert big enough to cover a queen-size bed?
The Parachute covers the bed, but it doesn’t reach over the end of the mattress or completely down the sides. I have a queen mattress with a fairly standard height at 12 inches, and the Parachute didn’t cover the mattress’s sides or end. It looked a little weird because it left the sheets exposed. A few extra inches of width and length would easily take care of the problem.
Is this down insert worth the money?
The Parachute is an investment. It is one worth making. The high-quality down, baffle construction, and sateen shell aren’t just built for comfort; they’re built to last. Down is well-known for its durability. Combine that with the cotton sateen shell, and you should be set for years. One of the best things about an insert like this is that you can change the cover, which costs a fraction of the insert itself. Change the insert for a lighter model when the weather gets warm or change the cover for holidays, seasons, or a quick bedroom redesign.
Parachute Down Duvet Insert vs. Other Down Duvet Inserts
I’ve tested two other duvet inserts—Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter and the Pacific Coast Feather Down Lightweight Comforter. The Parachute rivals the Feathered Friends model in quality. They both have a high fill power, so they’re incredibly warm, fluffy, and lightweight. The Feathered Friends is slightly warmer even though the fill power is a bit lower than the Parachute. You could go with either one and feel like you’re in a cloudy dreamland. However, they’re both too warm for year-round use, at least for this warm sleeper. The Pacific Coast comforter isn’t as warm on purpose. This lightweight down insert works much better for spring and fall, but I still found it too hot for the summer. Also, the shell doesn’t compare to the Parachute or Feathered Friends. It’s stiff and crinkly enough that it could create sound issues for light sleepers. Overall, if you want a high-end down duvet insert, either the Parachute or the Feathered Friends are worth the money if you want to invest in long-term sleep comfort. If you’re ready to invest in your nighttime comfort, Parachute does duvet inserts right. You won’t regret this model. However, you might have to use a different one when the temps jump over 50 to 60 degrees at night.
