Darby the Weighted Teddy Bear Calms the Collective

How to describe the first time I held Darby the Bear? Relief. I opened the box and hugged it, I let out a huge sigh. It was immediately relaxing, comforting, and soothing — just from holding it. And I wasn’t the only one in my household who liked it.

Hugimals Darby the Bear

Visit Amazon $68.00 from Hugimals World

The Unboxing and Setup

I received Darby the Bear as a sample from Hugimals World for this review. It came in a plastic bag inside a box and was ready for hugs upon opening.

The Experience

I took an immediate liking to the bear. At first, I wasn’t too crazy about the name, so I started calling it “Coco” since it’s a chocolate brown bear. 

It wasn’t long until my children tried it out for themselves. One has a weighted blanket he sleeps with every night. When he held the bear, I watched him fall back onto the couch, close his eyes, and smile. I could sense weight being pulled off of him, even as a weighted stuffed animal was on him. Because that’s what it felt like when I held it, too.

The plush fabric feels soft to the touch. When I hug it, the material feels light, smooth, comforting, and inviting. When lying down and snuggling it, the bear doesn’t run hot, which would otherwise cause me to throw it off and avoid it. I like that at 4.5 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around, but I can still feel its weight. Personally, I wish it were a little bigger or heavier — maybe 6 to 8 pounds — but all the Hugimals are the same weight, and heavier products from the same company, like the hug pillows, come in different designs.

I didn’t notice any changes to my sleep, but I saw it with my children. The one with the most sleep difficulties was the one who ended up having the most restful nights. The nights he cuddled with the bear, he would sleep soundly. If you’re a parent of an anxious child or one who has difficulty getting or staying asleep, you know how much a full, restful sleep can make a world of difference in your kid.

The Maintenance

One of the best features is that it is machine washable. Not all weighted blankets can go into a traditional home washer like a regular blanket unless they have a removable interior. This method means owners settle for spot-cleaning. Having something removable but still weighted and evenly distributed is a big selling point. 

But that major pro is also my biggest gripe. It took me five minutes to remove the weighted insert from the bear because I didn’t realize it had latches on the inside. This is great for regular use, because it means the insert doesn’t move around and the weight stays evenly distributed. But taking it off and putting it on was taxing and time-consuming. 

After a successful wash, it took me another 10 minutes to get the outer plush back onto the insert, secured by the latches, and with all the weight evenly distributed through the head, arms, and legs. This isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but if you’re a parent used to washing stuffed animals by simply tossing them in a machine, you may not like the inconvenience and work involved in cleaning this one.

Hugimals Darby the Bear

Visit Amazon $68.00 from Hugimals World

My Takeaway

There’s no question that I loved the weighted bear right away. I thought some of the selling points from Hugimals were a little over the top, especially when it touted lowering anxiety and stress. But that’s precisely what it does. It’s not a gimmick.

For the price, there should be a more intuitive design for disassembling and reassembling for cleaning. Some parents on the fence about paying that much for a stuffed animal could have buyer’s remorse if assembly takes too long come wash day. 

Even though price and assembly are downsides, I still believe it’s a solid product. I’d recommend this bear and other Hugimals for anyone who has ever felt anxious, stressed, or is looking for a calming, comforting hug.