This doona buying guide boils the choice down to three things: GSM (the fill weight per square metre), the fill type (wool, down or microfibre) and the warmth rating for your climate. Higher GSM and natural fills like wool mean more warmth and better moisture control, while lighter GSM microfibre suits warm rooms and hot sleepers. Match those to your bedroom and you are sorted.
What is GSM and why does it matter?
GSM stands for grams per square metre, and it measures how much fill sits inside the quilt. It is the single most useful number on the label because it tells you roughly how warm and heavy the doona will feel.
As a rough guide, lighter quilts around 200 to 300 GSM suit summer and warm Queensland-style nights. Mid-weight 350 to 500 GSM covers most of the year in temperate homes, and heavier 500 GSM and up handles genuinely cold winters or draughty older houses.
Keep in mind GSM is not the whole story. A 500 GSM wool quilt breathes very differently to a 500 GSM synthetic one, so read it alongside the fill type rather than on its own.
Wool, down or microfibre: which fill suits you?
The fill decides how the quilt handles heat and moisture across the night. This is where a bit of research into our quilts and bedding range pays off, because each fill behaves differently.
Wool
Wool is the all-rounder for the Australian climate because it regulates temperature and wicks moisture, so you stay warm without overheating. An Australian-made option like the Woolcomfort Merino Wool Quilt 700GSM in King shows how a higher GSM wool fill delivers real winter warmth while still breathing. Wool also naturally resists odour, which suits anyone who runs warm at night.
Down and feather
Down is prized for being incredibly light yet warm, trapping heat in tiny air pockets. It packs down small and drapes beautifully, though it needs careful laundering and can be a poor choice for allergy sufferers.
Microfibre and polyester
Microfibre mimics the softness of down at a friendlier price and is easy to wash at home. It is a sensible pick for kids' rooms, spare beds and anyone who wants a hypoallergenic, low-fuss quilt.
How do warmth ratings actually work?
Many quilts carry a warmth or tog-style rating, and it is really just a shorthand for how well the quilt traps heat. Think of it as summer, all-season and winter tiers rather than an exact science.
A summer-rated quilt keeps airflow high for hot nights, an all-season rating balances warmth for spring and autumn, and a winter rating locks in heat for the coldest months. Some ranges even offer two quilts that clip together so you can build a winter-weight combo and split it again when it warms up.
Your bedroom matters as much as the rating. A well-insulated modern home holds heat, so you can size down, while a high-ceilinged older place usually calls for a warmer quilt than the label suggests.
Which quilt suits which sleeper?
Matching the quilt to the person prevents the classic mistake of buying too warm and kicking it off by 2am. Use these quick profiles as a starting point.
- Hot sleepers: lower GSM wool or microfibre, summer to all-season rating, for airflow without the sweat.
- Cold sleepers and cold rooms: higher GSM wool or down, winter rating, for genuine cosiness.
- Allergy sufferers: microfibre or a treated hypoallergenic fill that washes easily at home.
- Couples who disagree on warmth: a breathable wool quilt splits the difference better than most synthetics.
Quilt fill types compared
| Fill type | Warmth for weight | Breathability | Care | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merino wool | High | Excellent | Air out; some are washable | Year-round Aussie climates, warm sleepers |
| Down and feather | Very high | Good | Gentle or professional wash | Cold rooms, lightweight feel |
| Microfibre | Moderate | Moderate | Machine washable at home | Kids, spare beds, allergies, budget |
Common mistakes when choosing a doona
A good doona buying guide is as much about the traps to sidestep as the specs to chase, because the same handful of errors send quilts to the back of the cupboard every year. Spotting them first saves you money and a poor night's sleep.
The most common mistake is buying purely on GSM and ignoring the fill. A high-GSM synthetic can feel heavy and sweaty, while a lighter wool quilt keeps you comfortable across a much wider temperature range, so the number alone can mislead you. The next trap is choosing one quilt for the whole year in a climate that swings hard between seasons; a single winter-weight doona becomes unbearable through a humid summer, and a summer one leaves you cold in July.
People also size the quilt to the mattress rather than the bed setup. A doona that only just covers the mattress top leaves nothing to drape over the sides, so it slides off and lets in draughts, especially for a couple who tug it back and forth. Sizing up one step from the mattress dimension usually solves this. Finally, many shoppers skip the protector and washable cover, then wash the whole quilt far too often, which flattens the fill and shortens its life. A removable cover takes the daily wear so the quilt itself needs cleaning only occasionally.
Quilt sizing examples for Australian beds
Getting the size right is where comfort is won or lost, since a quilt needs enough overhang to tuck around sleepers without swamping the room. These pairings work well for typical Australian bed sizes.
- Single or King Single bed: a single-sized quilt suits one child or a slim guest bed, with just enough drop to stay put.
- Double bed: a queen-sized quilt is a popular upgrade here, giving a couple extra coverage and reducing the midnight tug-of-war.
- Queen bed: a queen quilt fits most homes, though a king quilt is worth considering if you like a generous drape or share with a restless partner.
- King bed: always match to a king or super-king quilt, as anything smaller looks mean and leaves the edges of a wide mattress exposed.
When you are between sizes, sizing up almost always feels better than sizing down, because a little extra overhang keeps draughts out and the bed looking full.
How do I care for my quilt and keep it fresh?
A little care doubles the life of a good doona and keeps it hygienic between washes. The most important habit is protecting the layers underneath, since a clean base stops sweat and dust reaching the quilt itself.
Always use a fitted protector and a washable cover. A quilted option such as the Luxor cotton quilted mattress protector in King Single adds a soft, absorbent layer, while a waterproof version like the Woolcomfort cotton terry waterproof protector in Single is ideal for kids' beds and guest rooms.
Air your quilt outside every few weeks to freshen it naturally, and follow the wash label rather than guessing. Wool in particular hates hot machine cycles, so a gentle wash or a professional clean keeps the fill lofty. You will find matching covers and protectors across our wider linens and bedding collection to complete the setup.
Once you have settled on GSM and fill, the rest is easy. If you are still weighing it up, a breathable Australian-made wool quilt is the safest all-year choice for most homes and a comfortable place to start.
Frequently asked questions
What GSM doona is best for all year round in Australia?
A mid-weight quilt around 350 to 500 GSM suits most Australian homes across the year, especially in a breathable fill like wool. It is warm enough for cool nights yet not stifling in the shoulder seasons. Hot sleepers can drop toward 300 GSM, while cold rooms may prefer 500 GSM and above.
Is a wool or microfibre quilt better?
Wool wins on temperature regulation and moisture control, making it ideal for our variable climate and for anyone who runs warm. Microfibre is lighter on the wallet, machine washable at home and naturally hypoallergenic, which suits kids' rooms and spare beds. Choose wool for comfort and longevity, microfibre for easy care and value.
What is the difference between a quilt and a doona?
In Australia the words quilt, doona and duvet are used interchangeably for the same thing: the padded top layer you sleep under. Doona is simply the popular local term. Whatever you call it, focus on the GSM and fill type rather than the name, as those decide the warmth and feel.
How do I stop my quilt making me too hot?
Pick a lower GSM and a breathable natural fill like wool, which vents heat rather than trapping it. Use a cotton cover instead of a synthetic one, keep the room ventilated, and choose a summer or all-season warmth rating. If you still overheat, a lighter summer quilt for the warmer months solves it.
