What Tog Duvet for Winter

A comfortable mattress alone isn’t enough for a restful night’s sleep - a snug duvet should also be taken into consideration for a cosy bedtime experience. However, not all duvets are made alike and it’s important to consider their weight and thickness for your perfect night's sleep. In this article, we will touch on what tog duvet for winter is the most ideal and how you can choose the right tog duvet for a comfortable rest. 

What does 'tog' mean?

You’ve probably already noticed that all duvets are sold with a tog rating on their label and that when purchasing a quilt with a high rating, they tend to be a lot thicker. But what does tog mean exactly? The term ‘tog’ refers to the unit measurement used to calculate the warmth and insulation of your duvet. In general, the higher the tog rating, the warmer the insulation will be for your duvet. With 1 tog being very cool and lightweight and 15 being the warmest. Typically, you’ll find the thinnest and lightest duvet on the market is around 4.5 tog, while the thickest and heaviest is around 13.5 tog. The tog rating system helps you choose bedding that suits your needs, taking into account the season of the year and temperature in your own living environment.

How to choose the right tog duvet

As previously mentioned, how to choose the right tog duvet depends on two main factors - the temperature of your environment and the time of year. As the temperature of your home usually changes according to the season, it’s best to invest in two different duvets - one for the summer and one for the winter. The tog duvet for winter will keep you warm and toasty as the temperature drops, while the tog duvet for summer will keep you cool on warmer nights. Here’s an insight on how to choose the right tog duvet in different seasons: 

Best tog duvet for the summer

We’ve all most likely experienced the feeling of being unable to sleep on a hot summer’s night - which is why it’s important to consider a lightweight duvet to keep you as cool as possible. A 4.5 tog duvet is the perfect choice for people in the warmer months and will keep you comfortably insulated without overheating. However, some people also prefer the feel of a heavier duvet even in the heat of summer. If this is the case for you, a 7.5 tog style could be the better option. It’s also good for you to know that duvets that are made from synthetic fibres are usually better during this time of year, as they tend to be more breathable.

Best tog duvet for the winter

As the days get colder, you may wonder what tog duvet for winter is the most practical. Most people choose to swap their lightweight summer duvet for one with a higher tog rating - this provides that extra insulation needed for those chilly nights at home. Depending on how low the temperature drops in your bedroom over night, the perfect winter duvet is usually around 13.5 tog. If possible, try and keep your room temperature between 18 to 21 degrees overnight, but if your home gets colder, then you could even go all the way up to 15 tog.

Overall, not everyone regulates heat the same and the tog rating depends entirely on your preference. Some may prefer the cosy, comforting feeling of a thicker duvet while others could find these to be too heavy to be comfortable. If you’re ever in doubt, you can always opt for a duvet with a medium-warm tog rating - around 10.5 tog. Additional to this, you can also add a quilt or throw for those nights when you want a little extra warmth. Adding a quilt is also a very handy solution if you share a bed with a partner who has slightly different duvet preferences from you, as you can adjust the weight and thickness on your side of the bed without disturbing them.

How else can I stay warm in winter?

We hope our article has given you an understanding on how to choose the right tog duvet for the ultimate comfort in sleep. To know more, you can find tips, tricks and news that will help you get better rest from our very own Sleep Expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan on our blog page here.