It’s winter, so many of us will be bringing out, or buying, winter bedding. But how much of a difference does your bedding make to your thermal comfort? Can a particular textile help you sleep? Is it wool, or other natural fibres, such as cotton? How about polyester? With so much choice, it’s easy to be confused. Here’s what we found when we reviewed the evidence – not just for winter, but also for the summer ahead.
We rely on our bedding to maintain a comfortable temperature to help us sleep. And the right textiles can help regulate our body temperature and wick away moisture from sweat, promoting better sleep. In the cooler months, we’re mainly concerned about a textile’s insulation properties – keeping body heat in and the cold out.
As the temperature climbs, we’re less concerned about insulation and more concerned about wicking away moisture from sweat. Another factor to consider is a textile’s breathability – how well it allows air to pass through it. A breathable textile helps keep you cool, by allowing warmth from your body to escape.
It also helps keep you comfortable by preventing build-up of moisture. By releasing excess heat and moisture, a breathable textile makes it feel cooler and more comfortable against the skin. Some textiles are better than others when it comes to insulation, wicking away moisture or breathability.
For instance, cotton and wool have tiny air pockets that act as insulation to provide warmth in cold weather. Thicker fabrics.
