Kailu Silk Duvet Review: Two Months of Use, Drape and Dual Cores

My original firsthand review

This account describes my 2021 sample and testing period. Product options, specifications and company background reflect that original review.

I'm a big fan of silk duvet inserts. What sets them apart from down or down alternative duvet inserts is that a well-cared-for silk duvet may last for years, although this review cannot guarantee decades of service. The Kailu silk comforter is made with raw silk that is hand-stretched to provide consistent comfort throughout. You can also choose between a single and dual-core set. If you live in a warmer climate the single core is your best option while people living in northern states will want to go with the dual-core. The Kailu comforter is certainly not the cheapest-priced comforter but in terms of quality, feel, temperature regulation and durability, it's way ahead of the pack.

Overview of the Kailu Silk Comforter

Kailu was founded in 2018 by LiLi Tan, an Emmy-winning journalist and former magazine editor. Kailu is Mandarin for "Open Road." The name is inspired by Kailushen, a Chinese god (shen) who removes barriers and clears the way. Its mission is:

"...to open the road for those who are curious about the world, ready to explore new ideas and discover new experiences, and desirous of meaningful goods that benefit others and themselves."

The Kailu silk products are handmade in the Yangtze River Delta which has a long history of handmade bedding. It's clear that a lot of thought and craftsmanship has gone into this product. Here's a video overview I made of the comforter. For this review, I received a dual-core set, emperor size.

Here are the construction details as of this writing.

RAW SILK CORE(S)

• 100% long-strand mulberry silk fill
• 100% cotton fabric casing
• Silk fill with a cotton casing; allergy and dust-mite claims should be treated as brand positioning, not a guarantee
• Breathable silk fill with a lightweight, body-conforming feel
• Supremely breathable
• Includes 8+ ties to correspond with duvet cover
• Hidden zipper closure

DUVET COVER

• 100% cotton
• Sateen fabric: classic 4 over 1 sateen weave using cotton yarn in both warp and weft, elegant drape, slight sheen
• White fabric, with choice of white or black piping
• Perfectly fitted to raw silk cores to prevent gaping and bunching
• Includes 8+ ties to keep raw silk cores in place
• Hidden zipper closure

Proudly handmade in China. Designed in San Francisco. 

My Kailu Duvet Findings

A lot of detail has gone into creating this product. Even the packaging is something you will want to hold on to. You can use it to store comforter or if you go with the dual core option, you can store one of the cores during the summer months when you don't need two.

I have been sleeping on my Kailu comforter for over two months now and I am extremely happy with it. If you have never slept with a silk comforter, the first thing you will notice is that it hugs your body. There are no dead spaces that you may find with a down comforter. This makes silk comforters extra cozy and provides a consistent temperature throughout the night. Additionally, the silk doesn't make me too hot or too cold. I have been using a single layer all summer. I may add the second core this winter but being in San Diego right now, our house doesn't really get that cold.

The comforter has 8 ties to secure the duvet cover. Most comforters I receive only have 4, or one for each corner. The extra ties in the middle of the comforter ensure that the comforter lays evenly across your bed on won't get scrunched up overnight. It's a small but important detail that that makes for a neater bed.

If you have a king size bed, I strongly recommend going with the emperor size.

Queen: 86 in. x 86 in.
King: 94 in. x 104 in.
Emperor: 98 in. x 110 in.

I like having the duvet drape over my bed and it keeps me and my wife from fighting over the bedding.

Quality silk comforters are hard to come by and you definitely get what you pay for here. You get more silk and an included duvet cover. I have done a lot of traveling this past summer and it has been so nice to come home to a bed with this type of bedding. Once you go silk, it will be hard to go back to any other textile.