Review on Reversible Weighted Blanket 15Lbs 48"X72" For Teens & Adults - Cool Tencel Fabric & Warm Short Plush, All Season Use With Carry Bag by Brian Lee

I purchased the queen size, 30lb version of this blanket for my partner's birthday. When it arrived, I could not believe how heavy it was (the included carry case is not only a wonderful touch, it is actually necessary to move this thing from place to place). I read a bunch of articles on the proper weight to get, the risks and benefits, blahblahblah, and most indicated that, for our combined body weight (350lbs), this is a bit too heavy. But the customer reviews of blankets of this size were, for the most part, largely in favor of ignoring those articles, so I decided to just go with it and, if it proved too heavy, the gift could still be received as it was intended (with love and thoughtfulness), and that we didn't ever need to use it if it came down to that. The first night, when I first settled myself underneath it, I had a moment of panic at the weight of it. I felt trapped. But the gift was not for me, so I just wriggled my foot out the side and felt suddenly better. Within ten minutes, I didn't want to move. Which is the danger. When I walk past the bedroom to my office, I see this beautiful blanket and want to immediately crawl under it. If I don't set several alarms, I will readily turn off the one and go back to sleep. I look forward every day to crawling underneath its comforting weight. I am hopelessly in love with this blanket. In terms of construction, the blanket's sides each serve a different purpose. I've only been using it for a few weeks, so I haven't had much cause to use the "cooling" side, though at a touch I don't doubt that it is effective (and beautiful). I've been using the plush side to sleep under, and it warms without overheating. Because of the regular pouches of little glass beads (which provide it with its weight), and because of the bamboo-rayon fabric (which is fabulous, both more absorbent and more breathable than cotton), I dare not put it in the washing machine except in dire need, so I make sure to have a sheet between it and myself. Frankly, however, if it comes down to a need for heavy laundering -- I will take the risk and, if the blanket becomes damaged, and if I can't just throw a stitch or two into it to reseal the bead pouch that may come loose, I will consider this blanket to have been worth every cent. A few quick real-deal warnings: this blanket is, in fact, heavy. You cannot just throw it on the bed and call it a day. You will have to move around to lay it out, and when you are sleeping, you can't just roll over in your sleep and expect the blanket to roll with you. For those of you with blanket-steeling partners, this actually proves to be a major benefit (as does the added width they've given this blanket so that it hangs a good bit over the edges of the bed), and I find I do a lot less tossing and turning when I use this blanket. But still, it's something to consider. Some notes on appearances: the blanket's sides are a light and dark gray, respectively, one rather shiny and lovely, the other soft and inviting. I purchased a grey silk pillowcase for my partner as well, and because of the duo-tone-grey design of the blanket, the pillowcase was an easy and perfect match for the blanket. Also, if you intend to surprise somebody with this blanket, make sure you lay it out a good 30-60 minutes before they're to discover it -- it gets a touch crinkled in the carry-bag. However, because of the lovely weight of it, once it's stretched over the bed it is almost self-smoothing. You can press it smooth with your hands and then if you leave it it basically takes care of its own smoothing.