If you know your mattress brands, the name Layla definitely rings a bell. It’s a company with such a massive background, making one of the best flippable mattresses on the market. But while Layla derived from a family-owned business to a North American phenomenon, it only felt natural to expand their product line. Aside from sheets and pillow, there’s the Layla weighted blanket: a product that’s giving us loads to talk about.
A Closer Look at the Layla Weighted Blanket
The Layla weighted blanket has all the right tools to make it in this growing market: it uses quality materials, it gets the job done, and it has a powerful bedding brand name to back it up and give it more credibility.
Made with a combination of cotton, polyester, and mink, the outer shell of the Layla weighted blanket definitely feels different compared to other blankets I’ve tested so far. At first, the mink kind of gives you the goosebumps when you touch it and, not gonna lie, it could be a material that not everyone can get used to.
It’s not bad, don’t get me wrong. It’s just different compared to the average microfiber or cotton sheets you may be used to. But hey, it’s nothing a duvet cover won’t solve. After all, you’re in this for the benefits, aren’t you?
Pros:
- Two-sided fabric construction.
- Noiseless & non-toxic glass bead filling.
- Evenly distributed weight.
- Easy to wash.
- Available in king size.
- Solid seams.
- Five year warranty.
- Free shipping.
- 120 nights of sleep trial.
Cons:
- Not a lot of weight options.
- Mink side runs a bit hot.
- Fleece-like material may seem too fuzzy at first.
Sizes & Weights
With a weighted blanket, weight is everything. If the blanket doesn’t weight enough, you won’t experience all the benefits brought forth by such a product. If it weighs too much, you will sleep uncomfortably, have trouble moving, sleep too hot, even end up with back, chest, or limb pains.
As a rule of thumb, it’s important that the weighted blanket you opt for have 10 percent of your regular body weight. For example, if you weight 150 lbs, the best blanket option is one that weighs 15 lbs. If you are in-between weights, opt for the heavier version. And keep in mind, you can always return it if it doesn’t work for you.
As far as the Layla weighted blanket is concerned, you have the following three options:
- The Twin size, which measures 48 x 72 inches, and weighs a total of 15 lbs.
- The Queen size, which has 60 x 80 inches in dimensions, and weighs 20 lbs.
- The King size version, with total measurements of 80 x 87 inches, and a weight of 25 lbs.
Construction
In my experience, the construction of the weighted blanket can be a deal-breaker if the filling isn’t properly chosen. But the outer material also counts, because it comes in contact with the skin (unless you use a duvet cover), so it has to be soft and pleasant to the touch.
Here’s a very interesting thing about the Layla weighted blanket: it uses one fabric at the top and a different combination for the bottom layer. The top is made from cotton, featuring a thread count of 300, which is neither too low to indicate flimsy construction, nor too high to make the blanket very expensive. It’s just right.
The other side of the blanket, which I refer to as the bottom, but it really depends on which side you prefer up and which side down, has a very fleece-like type of feel.
At this point, I’ve noticed something that I have to share with you. If you are not used to the way fleece feels like (although there are high chances that most of you cuddled underneath a fleece blanket at least once before), the plush-like feel of this side of the blanket may seem odd at first. Some people get used to it, others don’t. Take that into account before shopping.
Also, keep in mind that cotton is a naturally breathable fabric. Mink isn’t. So if you are a person that sleeps very hot, your only options are to always use the blanket with the cotton side down, or add a duvet cover that’s made from a breathable fabric. Although, the last option will just add one more layer of fabric between your skin and the mink, so using the Layla with the cotton side down is still your best bet.
At the core of the Layla weighted blanket lie a bunch of small glass beads, which are free of lead and other toxins, and are also intelligently hidden between two layers of poly-fill batting. Not only to the sewn pockets prevent the fill from shifting all over the place, but the weight of the blanket is evenly distributed because of this construction. Oh, and did I mention that the beads are noiseless?
Feel
I always feel that trying to describe a product in terms of feel is futile most of the time, as my particular tastes in products differ, and go beyond the objective information I can give out, which is based solely on specs and technicalities. With feel, that’s a whole different story, and nobody can be subjective. But I’ll do my best.
First off, let’s talk about the weight of the blanket and how that feels against the body. The good thing about the weight of the Layla blanket is that it finally holds you down in place. Don’t get me wrong, you can still switch positions when you have to, but even as you’re sleeping, the weight is there and it makes your body think twice about moving around too much.
Then there’s the deep pressure touch technology to consider, the one that’s looking to imitate the pressure the body feels when being hugged, releasing all chemicals and triggering body responses to relieve anxiety and stress.
I cannot vouch for that, because I’m quite a deep sleeper, but I can tell you that the Layla blanket did help me with something, and that’s restless leg syndrome. My trouble has never been so much sleeping as managing to fall asleep.
My poor blood circulation sometimes gives me the heebie geebies, so I tend to move my legs around a lot because they sometimes feel numb or hurt. Because of the pressure that the Layla blanket puts on the body, different muscles are stimulated, and this entire concept can work efficiently towards making pain go away.
I’m also definitely a fan of the fleece-like side of the blanket, but that’s mostly because I’m cold. Most of the time. All the time. Brrr.
Cleaning
You’d think that something with a complicated construction, so many different outer fabric materials, or many glass beads would be very complicated to clean. It makes sense, because normally, different fabrics are cleaned through different methods.
But, surprise, surprise! The Layla weighted blanket is actually easy to clean, with almost no effort on your behalf. You can use your home washer and dryer; just make sure that you wash the blanket at a temperature that doesn’t exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tumble dry on low, and avoid using bleach. Also, do not attempt to iron the blanket; it was not designed to be ironed.
Shipping & Delivery
Layla covers its weighted blanket demands through its San Fernando, California warehouse. Naturally, shipping times will vary depending on how far or close you are to this location. The manufacturer ships the weighted blanket for free to all those living in the continental US.
Layla also delivers the weighted blanket to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, but the shipping fees are passed on to the buyer. Shipping rates to these three locations will vary depending on your delivery address. To find exactly how much you’d have to pay in shipping fees, enter your delivery address after adding the blanket to your shopping cart, and the system will automatically calculate the shipping costs.
Once you have placed your order, you’re probably be waiting anxiously for your new acquisition. Having a tracking number always helps and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be trying to track your blanket non-stop and see how much longer you have to wait for it.
Thankfully, Layla has given buyers the possibility to track their order. Once the blanket is signed, sealed, and sent off, you will receive a tracking number via email. Be aware, it can take up to three business days to get a tracking number, so don’t panic if you don’t get yours right away.
If, for some reason, Layla doesn’t send you this tracking number three or more days after having placed an order, feel free to contact them and get more info on your package.
Normally, it doesn’t take Layla more than two days to ship a weighted blanket. Once your order is in transit, it can take anywhere between two to five days to receive your package, depending on the delivery address and its proximity to San Fernando.
Warranty & Returns
As I always like to underline when I talk about my online shopping experiences, it’s important to pay close attention to the warranty and return policy of the product. There are always people complaining about not having stuff covered by their product warranties, and even more customers upset about not being able to return the products they buy online.
The warranty of the Layla blanket is a full five years, but it only covers workmanship and material defects. If the blanket is somehow damaged due to improper storage or mishandling on behalf of the buyer, the warranty does not cover such situations, nor will you be able to return the blanket for a refund.
Another important mention is that the warranty of the Layla is not transferable. That means that if you purchase your blanket second-hand, or from some shady online retailers, you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
When you’ve had your fair share of online shopping, thing are pretty clear, and Layla has made their policy quite transparent as well. The first thing you need to know is that you have 120 nights at your disposal to try the blanket before returning it for a full refund.
My advice to you is: don’t get discouraged after the first night. A weighted blanket isn’t necessarily a miracle product that you just crawl yourself under and sleep for 12 hours straight. In most cases, it can take a few days, maybe even weeks before the body gets fully adjusted to such a product. It is a 15 lbs blanket, after all.
If during these 120 nights, you discover that the Layla isn’t everything you hoped for and would like to initiate a return, all you have to do is send an email to support@laylasleep.com, and specify the reason why you want to return the product, as well as provide the order number for your purchase.
Layla will take care of picking up the blanket, so you are not responsible with any return shipping fees. Then, you can expect to receive a full refund UNLESS you are from Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada, in which case you will not be reimbursed for the initial shipping fee you paid.
Customer’s Voice
Construction
When high-quality materials meet for both the comfort of the user, as well as the durability of the product, then you know you’re dealing with a quality weighted blanket. When they had to speak their mind about how the Layla blanket performs in terms of construction, many pointed out that the micro glass beads inside the blanket manage to stay in place because of the quality stitching of the pockets.
Another important mention is that while a lot people loved the feel of the cotton side of the blanket, others felt funny when coming in contact with the mink side, claiming it felt a bit too fuzzy. But, as long as you use the blanket with the cotton side down, or maybe with a duvet cover, you won’t care about that fuzzy feel so much.
Breathability
There’s no doubt that a lot of people expect a weighted blanket to run deeply hot. Customers give out two very important bits of advice. First off, keep in mind that the Layla is an exceptional blanket in terms of warmth, so if you were looking for a winter companion, this is one that buyers recommend.
But where there’s warmth, there are breathability problems. Those who have tested the blanket suggest using the cotton side in the warmer season, because the material is naturally breathable. The mink side doesn’t offer very much in terms of breathability, so maybe it’s best to leave that for winter use.
Weight Option
Here is one chapter where the Layla could do better. The blanket offers three weight choices, which are dependent on the size of the blanket chosen. That is, if you want a 15 pounds blanket, you can only do with the Twin size, and that seems to have made some customers angry.
The Layla doesn’t offer very much in terms of size variations, unlike competitors, who have created multiple weight options for every blanket size available. Customers would have like to see 10, 12 or even 17 pound weighted blankets from Layla.
You may want to check out: Layla Hybrid Mattress
Bottom Line
Layla is no stranger to the sleeping industry, and since they’ve been mattresses for quite some time, I had high expectations when I first heard about their weighted blanket. After all, they have the tools, the brand power, and the know-how to create a good product. And they delivered.
The weighted blanket is a rather new addition to their collection of bedding items, but it stays true to what this type of product promises to deliver. Through the use of deep touch pressure, you really feel the hug sensation.
As a result of the quality materials used and the technology it integrates through the concept of a weighted blanket, the Layla manages to relieve stress and anxiety, while the weight works to prevent all that tossing and turning that accompany a restless sleep. If there’s one thing you’ll appreciate about the product, it’s not the fact that you get to sleep for eight hours straight, but that the quality of your sleep drastically improves.