7 Little Changes That'll Make A Big Difference In Your What Is The Best Tog For All Year Round
What is the Best Tog For All Year Round?
A duvet's rating for tog can mean the difference between a cold, sweaty night's sleep and a restful one. Understanding your duvet's tog rating is vital to a comfortable night's sleep all year long.
For summer, opt for a lighter duvet, which is ideal around 7.5 tog. This will help you stay cool and comfortable during the warm nights.
Winter
As autumn draws near, it's the perfect time to swap your summer duvet over to one that is heavier for winter. While you might be tempted to purchase one of the most warm duvets in the market - particularly for those who sleep cold or live in a cold climate - you should hold off on switching over until the average temperature at night begins to fall below 10 degrees Celsius.
A duvet's temperature rating or thermal overall grade (TOG), reflects how it insulates warmth. It is usually expressed as a number ranging from 1 and 15. The higher the tog rating is, the more warm the duvet.
While TOG might seem confusing, the simple explanation is that it's based on a globally recognised testing method and indicates how well the material wicks away moisture, traps heat and regulates your body's temperature during the night. This measure is also used to regulate other bedding items like doonas or Pyjamas.
The type of filling in the duvet can affect its tog rating, and how comfortable it is when you sleep on it. For instance synthetic fillings tend to be less breathable than natural fibres like feathers and down, and could lead to overheating in hot sleepers. A top-quality feather and down duvet, or merino wool duvet however provides excellent insulation without sacrificing breathability, allowing you to regulate your body's temperature while you sleep.
If you're looking to buy a new winter duvet, ensure that it has a rating that is between 7 and 13 based on your sleep preferences. This duvet by Piglet in Bed is a great option to get sleeping in a warmer area. It has a medium-high tog rating and is soft and plump due to its merino filling. It's also easy to wash, with minimal shrinkage. This makes it a great investment that will last throughout the year.
Children's duvets are likely to also have a TOG rating. The first duvet a child gets is usually lightweight, and should not exceed 4 tog. This will help keep the child warm, without overheating them or affecting their ability to breath. If they're ready it will depend on the temperature of their bedroom and where they live.
Spring
As the temperature gets colder and the nights get darker, it's time for you to upgrade your duvet. This will keep you warm and comfortable all night, which will help you rest more deeply. However excessive warmth could cause you to overheat in the night, and this can affect your sleep quality. A good way to check whether you're hot is to feel the material of your duvet. If it's uncomfortable or prickly, it could mean that the duvet has too high a tog rating.
For Autumn and Spring, we suggest the following: 10.5 tog, which is warm enough but not too hot. This will allow you to sleep comfortably at night and regulate your body's heat.
We have a selection of lightweight duvets available to those seeking a lighter option for summer. These duvets are constructed with light fabrics and fillings to keep you cool throughout the night, ensuring a peaceful slumber and giving you the best sleep you can get.
We recommend a duvet which has a low weight, such as 4. A heavy duvet could cause children to become overheated, which can affect their sleep. We also have a selection of all season duvets which are suitable for children and adults alike. They are constructed with two separate duvets which can be tacked together to offer a flexible solution for the changing seasons.
The tog of a mattress doesn't necessarily mean the quality of the product, as this only measures thermal resistance, not the durability or feel of the duvet. A duvet that has an increased tog may initially appear superior, but over time, it will lose its insulation and become less effective. For this reason, it is essential to purchase a high-quality duvet from a reputable supplier. This will ensure that your duvet remains warm and comfortable for as long as you own it.
Summer
When the weather starts to warm up, you need something light that will keep you comfy without causing you to overheat and disrupting your sleep. A 7 - 10.5 tog duvet should suit most people throughout the Summer and Spring, especially in bedrooms that are somewhat warmer than the average.
You can always change to a lighter option as the nights become cooler however, you might prefer to stay cosy during the Winter with a heavier duvet. This medium-weight British Alpaca duvet might be just what you need. It's not as thick as the 10.5 tog duvet but it is still a great insulator.
Natural fillings can help you stay cool because they are better insulators than synthetic alternatives like hollowfibre and polyester. They are also breathable and allow your body to release any excess heat. This keeps you cool and comfortable. Piglet in Bed's merino duvet has this feature. While it doesn't have a tog rating, Piglet in Bed estimates that it's between 8 and 10 tog.
If you and your partner have different sleeping patterns, you may require a different duvet for each of you. This half-and-half duvet by Slumberdown could be the answer. It has one side that has a cool 4.5 Tog and the other is warmer 10.5 Tog. This lets anyone who sleeps hot to choose the lighter side, and those who feel cold can rest comfortably on the warmer side.
Another option is to get a duvet that is 3-in-1, which will comprise the lighter 3.5 tog summer duvet as well as one that is 10.5 tog winter/autumn duvet, which can be fastened together. This allows you to easily change seasons without digging out duvets from the loft. It's an excellent option for the unpredictable UK climate! You can also opt for this cozy and warm goose-down duvet that will keep you warm throughout the season. It's not too heavy nor too warm and has an exquisite, soft texture.
Autumn
A restful night's sleep is dependent on a number of factors, including the most comfortable mattress, the best pillow, and, of course, the best duvet. The right weight for your duvet your needs is dependent on many aspects, including your body's temperature regulation and the climate you live in.
Tog ratings are a crucial aspect to consider when buying a duvet. They tell you how well the quilt traps warmth and keeps you warm. Tog ratings range from 1 to 15. Lower togs are more cooling, while higher togs provide more warmth.
In standard tog duvet , lighter tog duvets will be suitable for the summertime. The duvet is more lightweight and breathable so you won't get too hot when sleeping under it. Duvets with a higher tog are ideal for winter and autumn because they are warmer and will keep your body warm.
If you're looking for a duvet to take you through all the seasons, you should consider an all-seasons option which comprises two lower and higher tog duvets that can be glued together to suit your requirements. The Simba Sleep Hybrid 3 in 1 duvet (PS349, for a double Simba Sleep), for example, consists of a 3.5-tog summer duvet, and a 7 tog spring/autumn/winter duvet. These can be combined to create an 10.5 tog duvet that will keep you warm during those colder nights.
If you don't have enough money to purchase multiple duvets, then a 10.5 tog will be an ideal choice for all seasons. It's also the rating that hotels tend to use since it provides a good level of insulation, but isn't too heavy. Hotels are aware of allergies and want their bedding to be suitable for everyone. In addition they don't want to have to store multiple duvets in different seasons. They also wish to ensure that their guests have the most relaxing experience. Our Duvet Tog guide contains more information on what tog duvets are best for various seasons.