I am a Sleep Editor and Your Winter Duvet Is Sabotaging Your Sleep – This Is the Exact Tog Rule You Need for a Spring Refresh
With an abundance of choice, it can feel challenging to decipher togs into what you need for restful slumber in Spring, so I've done it for you
With the weather beginning to warm across the US, you may be considering transitioning your sleep space for the new season. Heavy, winter duvets and shams are likely now too warm, and you may be looking for something a little lighter.
But what is the exact duvet tog you need for cool and comfortable sleep in spring?
Understanding this crucial parameter is important – you'll sleep better, deeper, and wake up feeling more refreshed if you don't awaken overheated in the night. Here, sleep experts explain what the best duvet insert option is for spring, and how to figure out the best tog for your needs.
The Easy Formula for Uncovering Your Perfect Tog for Spring
As Kenny Temper, certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis, explains, every sleeper is different, so there's no one universal tog that functions as a cure-all for all your temperature-related woes. But if you are looking to sleep better, you can work out what's best for you based on your sleep temperature.
'If you're a hot sleeper, a low tog (five or below) is ideal for spring and summer weather,' says Kenny. 'Duvets in this category are generally lightweight and better suited for warmer weather.'
For this, I'd recommend the LaCrosse Premium Down Light Warmth Comforter, available at The Company Store, which kept our tester, Alex Temblador, who reviewed the LaCrosse Premium Light Warmth Comforter, cool even in the height of Texan summer.
For an affordable alternative, the GRÄSROTSFLY Cool Duvet Insert, available at IKEA, is temperature-regulating with a silky lyocell cover that absorbs and transports moisture away to keep you dry at night.
Whichever duvet you choose, I would also suggest pairing it with one of the best cooling mattress toppers and pads – I've currently been testing and loving the Nolah AirFoam Luxe Mattress Topper.
If you're not a particularly hot sleeper, then anything between five and eight should suffice, adds Kenny. 'Getting something with a little more weight to it will help you stay cozy on cooler spring nights,' he explains.
If this applies to you, I'd opt for the Lightweight or All-Season Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter.
And, when it comes to the best cooling sheets for spring, Kenny advises, 'As a hot sleeper myself, who dreads the warmer nighttime weather, I highly recommend percale sheets. In my experience, those are the coolest, crispest sheets available.'
For example, the Quince Classic Organic Percale Sheet Set feels lightweight and breathable, even to the hottest of sleepers.
'I keep a lightweight comforter on standby for chillier nights, and so far, this combination has helped me not wake up covered in sweat,' continues Kenny.
What to Shop
As we transition into the warmer months, curating a breathable sleep environment is the most effective way to prevent the temperature spikes that disrupt restorative rest.
To assist in your seasonal refresh, I have meticulously compiled an edit of Sleep Editor-approved duvets that excel in moisture-wicking and thermal regulation.
The following selections – ranging from attainable essentials to investment-grade linens – prioritize airy, lightweight constructions that allow for optimal airflow without sacrificing that coveted sense of comfort.
Whether you are looking for an organic cotton fill or a high-performance synthetic, these are the refined choices I rely on to maintain a temperate and tranquil primary suite throughout the spring.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
Lightweight bedding doesn't have to be expensive. This muslin bedding has quickly become one of my all-time favorites since testing it earlier in the year, and it's available in pink and sage green, too.
I love green gingham bedding, and this sheet set is made of long-staple organic cotton, which is naturally cooling, breathable, and moisture-wicking. It's also finished without harsh pesticides, GMOs, or toxins like formaldehyde.
This Bedsure set is included in our guide to the best Amazon cooling sheets, and is soft, silky, and made from 100% rayon derived from bamboo. The 360° elastic band ensures a secure fit.
'Pretty, as well as practical: It feels silky and smooth between your fingers and never rustles as you toss and turn,' wrote Emilia Hitching, our former Sleep Editor, after trying this pad. It's temperature-regulating and has a slim profile for a secure fit.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with linen bedding in spring and summer. I'm currently testing this set from Bed Threads, and have been more than impressed with the quality, feel, and chic style of it. Mine's in white, but they have plenty of fun colors to choose from.
Don't forget about your pillowcases, either. Cooling pillowcases are particularly important if you're a hot sleeper, and these ones feel cool to the touch, are highly absorbent, and feature a smooth texture to prevent your hair from getting tangled or knotty.
Meet the Expert
Kenny has been a certified sleep science coach and professional mattress tester for nearly two years, and uses his expertise to review bedding, sleep supplements, and more. He's a hot sleeper who always sleeps on his stomach, and recommends an hour of walking every day for guaranteed sleep success.
If you're wondering, 'Do cooling bedsheets really work?' our experts assure that they're not a myth.
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