Videos
Why do flannel sheets produce so much lint?
Brushing cotton when making flannel causes broken or loose threads, so it's prone to shedding. The shedding fibers cause lint.
What is flannel made out of?
Flannel is usually made with brushed cotton or wool. It's thicker than other common weaves like sateen, percale, silk, or linen, so it feels insulating and cozy. It's brushed on one or both sides, which raises the fibers for a soft, fuzzy feel.
What does flannel weight mean?
Flannel weight is measure in ounces per square yard. A higher weight means a warmer fabric, so a 6-ounce flannel is warmer whereas a 5-ounce flannel is best for hot sleepers or all-season use.
Im trying to get a good quality fitted bed sheet and a couple bath towels. For the sheet Im thinking the 280tc pima cotton percale one they sell. Then for the towels Im really not sure between their Premium cotton towel for $35 and their Organic Textured Cotton Towel for $25. Im wondering what the difference is in durability and absorbancy is between the two. Also which is softer is good to know, although softness isnt a priority with bath towels as Ive found that rougher towels do a better job. Maybe that's just because Im used to lower quality towels though.
Im also open to any other suggestions for high quality towels or a fitted sheet. Im usually lean towards the highest quality I can get at a reasonable price, I dont like paying a premium for brand and think maybe Im doing that getting them through LL bean.
My wife and I got some new sheets for our wedding, and originally was going to get two sets of LL Bean until we saw the price of the Costco sheets, so we decided to get one of each and compare. Our goal was a good set that would feel soft and cozy, breathable/cooling, and would last us a while. Here's our current thoughts 6 months into rotating between the two sets:
LL Bean ($150ish): 280 Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set
Costco ($70): Kirkland Signature 680 Thread Count Set
Cooling: The LL Bean sheets were by far a lot cooler than the Kirkland sheets, but the Kirkland sheets were "cool enough". I prefer the LL Bean coolness, my wife prefers the Kirkland sheets. Both sheets were cooler than most other cheap sets we've both had in the past. Both warm up over time as you would expect for a sheet without overheating myself. For me, LL Bean takes the win.
Softness: The Kirkland overall felt like it has been consistently softer than the LL Bean, but the LL Bean is still incredibly comfy. Edge goes to Kirkland, but neither were disappointing!
Durability: Honestly, both feel very durable so far. They both follow same routine care, neither have tears or lasting stains. Tie
Other Information: This could have been in durability, but I think it was better to discuss separately. The Kirkland has a pretty thickly reinforced edging on the fitted sheet, and I'm very curious on how well this will hold up over time. Neither LL Bean nor Kirkland feel like the edges are going to rip anytime soon, and they both have enough room for decently thick mattress toppers, but I really enjoy just how beefed up the edges are for the Kirkland sheet.
LL Bean also has multiple color options that Kirkland does not, so if you are concerned about diversifying colors, LL Bean wins that one. We got a navy Kirkland set and the Lake Blue LL Bean set (we would have gone mid-blue if we planned to get the Kirkland set).
Personal Verdict: Both are great 6 months into use and fulfill their purposes wonderfully. The price difference is pretty hefty, so unless you need the coolest-feeling sheets out there the Kirkland ones are no issue for myself. As long as they both hold up for the next few years, we will most likely get the Kirkland ones again over the LL Bean due to the price effectiveness. This is only for comparing cotton sheets with a primary focus on cooling and durability, so feel free to discuss!
tl;dr both are cooling, comfortable, and durable. Kirkland is better price to performance, but LL Bean has more colors and is more cooling.