Duvet Togs Explained
With a myriad of duvets available choosing the perfect one can be a little difficult. The tog rating is a great starting point, and it indicates the duvet's warmth.
It's important to keep in mind that tog does not necessarily refer to thickness or weight - it's based on the filling.
What is a duvet?
The duvet tog is a standard measurement used to determine the insulation power of the duvet and its warmth. The higher the duvet's tog rating, the more warm it is. Tog ratings can aid you in selecting the right duvet suitable for your personal preferences and climate.
A high tog is perfect for winter. It will keep you warm during the coldest of winter nights. While a duvet with a lower tog will allow you to sleep well in summer. When choosing bedding, it is important to consider other factors besides the weight of the duvet. Natural fillings, including feathers and down, have better thermal properties than duvets made from synthetic materials. They provide the same amount of insulation but not as heavy. This makes them a great option for people with allergies or who want to avoid the chemicals that are found in synthetic materials.
Togs may also vary depending on the construction and the material of the duvet. A duvet with baffles is designed to hold in air and heat to provide an additional layer of warmth. This style is perfect for those who overheat at night. It could also be an alternative for those who have a quilt that is weighted for more comfort.
In the past, duvets were chosen according to season and the weather, with 4.5 tog duvets being perfect for summer, and 15 tog duvets helping you slumber through winter. However, advances in duvets have made possible to have a duvet that is able to be used during both winter and summer. While all-season duvets can be slightly heavier than seasonal ones, they still offer the comfort and breathability you need. Many retailers offer all-season bedding for sale at a lower price, making it a reasonable and affordable option for bedrooms of all sizes.
How do duvets work?
It's important to keep in mind that the tog rating of a duvet refers to the degree to which it effectively insulates heat, rather than its weight or thickness. It's also worth noting that an increase in tog doesn't necessarily mean a warmer duvet, as the kind of filling used can be the deciding factor.
Natural fibres, for example are superior thermal insulators than synthetic ones. This means that they trap air around your body better and less duvets are required to attain a certain tog rating. This makes them more breathable and is beneficial if you tend to sweat at night.
In general, the most effective duvet tog for winter is somewhere between 10 and 15 tog. This will provide an excellent balance between warmth and breathability and should be suitable in the majority of conditions. If you live in a very cold climate, or if you are a cold sleeper we recommend choosing an upper tog.
The same principles apply to autumn and spring - you require a duvet warm enough to keep you cosy but not too heavy that it's too hot during the day. To achieve this balance, we suggest a temperature of 10.5 or more.
It's not unusual for couples to have a hard time choosing the best duvet tog rating. One person may prefer lighter summer weights while the other would prefer something more warm. If this sounds like you, try looking for duvets that have dual tog options, such as Gingerlily's 'half and half' silk duvet, from PS350 which allows each person to select their own summer or all-seasons weight duvet section that seamlessly joins inside your existing duvet cover.
What is the best duvet for winter?
The right duvet can ensure a good night's rest. However, with the myriad of tog ratings, fillings and sizes to choose from it's easy to become confused. We're here to assist you in making the best choice so that you can get a comfortable, peaceful night's sleep throughout the year.
The best duvet for winter is based on several factors, including your personal preferences and the temperature of your bedroom. According to experts from Dormeo it is recommended you keep your bedroom at a warm temperature of 18-21 degrees during the night. This means that you should select a duvet with a rating greater than 3.5 to keep you warm and cozy.
A duvet that has a higher tog rate will trap more heat, ensuring you stay extremely warm and insulated during the night. This is the best option for cold climates or for those who tend to be cold sleepers. If you want an extra warm duvet, but are concerned about overheating you can go with synthetic materials that are lighter than down.
A great winter duvet will depend on the kind of bedding you have in your home. You can change between duvets depending on the season if you own a duvet set or pillowcase. You could even choose a duvet with dual-tog, or a two-in-1, which is comprised of two separate duvets that work together to give you summer and winter comfort. This is a great option if your partner has different sleeping preferences or wants to pick their own. Both of you can have a great night's sleep all through the year.
What is the best duvet to wear this summer?
As the weather gets warmer you may find yourself swapping your heavyweight duvet for one that is lighter. Ideal Home's Sleep Editor Amy Lockwood recommends a 4.5 tog option since it provides lower levels of insulation and can help avoid overheating on hot nights. If you live in a place that experiences fluctuating temperatures, you might want to invest in a duvet with two different ratings of tog. This will allow you to change between them based on the season.
The type of filling casing, casing, and tog rating you choose will determine the most suitable duvets for summer. It should be made of materials that are comfortable against your skin and breathable to keep your body from overheating at night. These types of materials are usually a combination of cotton and wool, which offer temperature-regulating properties that work with your body to keep you cool while you sleep.
This Marks and Spencer synthetic duvet is filled with a blend recycled polyester and Climate Control Technology for added comfort. It's then covered with a silky soft, delicately coloured cotton cover as part of the Better Cotton initiative. It's soft, light and breathable yet provides a comfortable feel.
This plant-based duvet from Ethical Bedding is another great option. It's designed to provide sweet dreams all year. It's constructed from the breathable fibres which regulate the body's temperature. The material is natural down ethically sourced in American farms. It's ideal for people who have night sweats or sleep hot because it regulates temperature and is hypoallergenic.
What is the most suitable duvet for children?
Children do not have the same capacity to regulate their temperature as adults, so a duvet with an increased tog rating could make them too warm and cause sweaty sleep. For this reason, it is recommended that children under the age of four wear a duvet with a tog of 4.0 or less. A lightweight duvet will keep them from overheating when they sleep and let them move around when they begin to feel hot.
When you are choosing a duvet to use for your child, the rating of the tog is important, but it's also worth considering the type of filling and construction. For instance, a duvet filled with natural down could be heavier than a synthetic duvet but it will also provide better thermal insulation due to the way the down traps warmth. The type of duvet that you pick will depend on your child's sleep preferences and the climate where you live.
For infants, a duvet made of a natural fibre such as cotton is ideal for year-round use. A natural fibre will ensure that your child has a comfortable, breathable duvet, which is especially important when they use a weighted blanket to help them sleep. Apart from being a good choice for children, a natural fibre duvet is also machine washable and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for parents worried about allergies. Another option is a duvet made of wool. Bunk Beds Store will keep your child warm and cosy in the winter months, and it has been shown to improve deep REM sleep which is important for growth and development.