In-depth Comparison (2024): Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow vs. Puredown Natural Goose Down and Feather Pillow
I tested 14 different pillows over the course of six months. I slept on each pillow for at least five nights each. I rated each pillow based on how comfortable it was to sleep on over an extended period of time, whether or not the construction seemed high quality to me, and my take on suitability for different body types and sleep positions. Here is an in-depth comparison of the Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow and Puredown Natural Goose Down and Feather Pillow.
At a Glance
| Brand Name | Weekender | Puredown |
|---|---|---|
| Pillow Name | Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow | Natural Goose Down and Feather Pillow |
| Overall Rank | #8 out of 14 | #10 out of 14 |
| Fill Type | Solid Memory Foam | Down and Feather |
| Firmness / Softness | Extra Firm | Extra Soft |
| Starting Loft | 5 inches | 6 inches |
| Sleep Positions | Back | Stomach |
| Body Types | Petite, Average, Big-and-tall | Petite |
| Filling Comfort | ||
| Construction Quality | ||
| Score Out of 10 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Detailed Reviews
Weekender Ventilated Gel Memory Foam Pillow
Solid Memory Foam
- Affordable price
- Extra firm support
- Foam is certified by CertiPUR-US
- Ventilation in memory foam
- Not adjustable
- May be too firm for stomach-sleepers and side-sleepers
- Materials seem lower quality
The Weekender Ventilated Memory Foam Pillow is a good option for back-sleepers who want a firm pillow instead of a soft pillow, though I consider the pillow too firm to be comfortable for stomach-sleeping and side-sleeping. Like the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud, the Weekender is a solid memory foam pillow, but the contrast in materials is noticeable. The Weekender also isn't adjustable, unlike the Saybrook and Coop memory foam pillows.
I measure the loft at 5 inches, and the pillow barely compresses when I lay my head down passively. Though it compresses slightly more than the Pillow Cube, which is also a solid memory foam pillow, there is almost no compression compared to the Tempur-Pedic. I'd say the Tempur-Pedic is extra soft memory foam, the Weekender is extra firm, and the Pillow Cube is beyond-too-firm-for-my-taste. The firm support from the Weekender pillow feels pretty good when I sleep on my back, but the angle isn't quite right when I sleep on my side. Because the loft can't be adjusted, I don't recommend this pillow for side-sleepers. The firmness can also apply too much pressure against my face when sleeping on my side or stomach. This is uncomfortable for my jaw.
The memory foam comes with holes throughout the pillow, which provide ventilation. Solid memory foam pillows are in general the least breathable category of pillows, so the ventilation is meant to address that issue. Personally, I still feel heat trapped against my face, so the ventilation doesn't completely solve the problem.
Like the Tempur-Pedic, the Weekender pillow comes with a removable cover, but the cover is much thinner, which leads me to give it a lower score on perceived quality of construction. In combination with the pressure it applies against my face, the lower perceived quality of the materials leads me to recommend investing in a higher quality pillow since this is a purchase that will see regular use. However, for back-sleepers who are looking specifically for an extra firm pillow, the Weekender can be a great option.
Puredown Natural Goose Down and Feather Pillow
Down and Feather
- Affordable price
- Satisfying down-pillow puffiness
- Good for stomach-sleepers
- Not adjustable
- Requires fluffing
- May not have enough support for side-sleepers and back-sleepers
- Single-stitched seams
- Single-chamber construction can bring quills close to sleeper
The Puredown Natural Goose Down and Feather Pillow provides an affordable down and feather option for stomach sleepers. The softness and thin loft make it a good stomach-sleeping option, but it may not have enough support for side-sleepers and back-sleepers. Ultimately, going with the budget-friendly option comes with a few downsides.
The contrast in quality with the Chamberlain Down pillow is notable, as expected given the difference in price. Both the Chamberlain Down pillow and Puredown pillow use a mix of down and feathers. The down provides loft from trapped air, and the feathers provide structure. However, the Chamberlain Down pillow uses a dual-chamber construction that has an outside down layer around an inside feather chamber. This prevents the sleeper from feeling the quills, and instead the sleeper feels the airy down layer. In contrast, the Puredown pillow uses a single chamber that mixes the down and feathers together, and I can feel the quills when I lie down on the Puredown pillow I have.
Another difference is that the Puredown pillow uses a single stitch at the seams while the Chamberlain Down pillow is double-stitched, as shown in the picture above. The single-stitching gives me less confidence in the construction quality. Also, while all down and feather pillows require fluffing, I find that my Puredown pillow loses its air and flattens more quickly compared to my Chamberlain Down pillow. Finally, I measure the starting loft of the Puredown pillow I have at 6 inches compared to the starting loft of 7.5 inches I measure for the Chamberlain Down pillow I have, after both pillows have been fluffed. A higher starting loft is helpful since down and feather pillows are mostly composed of air.
Overall, the Puredown pillow can be a good option for stomach-sleepers if budget is a concern, but I recommend looking toward the higher quality found in the top picks since a pillow is used every night.
Picking the right pillow can be important. I did all the research here to make the process easier. I hope that this blog helps you as you make your decision.