Get your fill (right!) - choosing your perfect duvet
If you are wondering what type of duvet is right for you, what tog is suitable, or even what ‘tog’ is, you are not alone. Below we explain the basics, and what you should think about when choosing a new duvet.
We sleep about one third of our lives, so investing in bedding that will keep you warm (not too hot!) and comfortable night after night makes sense. If you choose a high-quality duvet, and look after it properly, it will last you years & years, so putting some time and effort into making the right choice is important.
What to think about when choosing a duvet?
First out, you want to find a duvet that will keep you at the right temperature all night long. For some people this means staying cool, others need something to keep the heat locked in. This is where the type of filling will play a big part.
Basically, there are two types of filling when it comes to duvets: natural and synthetic. Synthetic duvets are often less expensive, and can be a good choice for people who suffer severe allergies. Natural material duvets are often lighter but still as warm, and have superior temperature regulating properties. At Rise & Fall, we are somewhat obsessed with being environmentally friendly, so do not stock any synthetic duvets, as we believe that natural materials do a better job – at keeping you sleeping right, and being earth friendly. And Organic Wool is a great alternative for most allergy sufferers.
Natural fillings
The idea with duvets filled with natural materials, is to mimic nature: Down & feathers keep ducks and geese warm by keeping heat in & cold elements out. The same goes once the down is in a duvet. Similarly, wool is a material that keeps sheep warm, yet not overheating, by wicking away any moisture, and maintaining a constant temperature.
Down-filled duvets: Fluffy feathers from the breast area of the bird, usually lightweight and offer an amazing level of warmth by working as insulation against the cold, locking warmth in.
Wool-filled duvets: Wool has incredible moisture wicking properties & is more breathable than down, meaning it works slightly differently: it regulates the temperature by retaining heat when necessary, and releasing it when you begin to overheat.
What is tog?
Tog is an industry standard rating that describes how well a duvet is able to trap warm air around you and therefore keep you insulated at night. As explained above, the ‘insulation’ method is unique to down & feathers, so only they can have a true tog rating. That said, other materials, natural and synthetic, use the tog reference, so it is easier to compare between different types of filling.
The tog scale ranges from 1 tog (the coolest) to 15 tog (the warmest). As a rule of thumb, lower togs are suitable for summer, hot climates and those who get very hot at night, whilst higher togs are more suited for winter and those who easily get cold. In a perfect world, we could all have a summer duvet and a winter duvet, but this is not realistic nor necessary, as with natural materials, you can choose a mid-range tog that will serve you all year round – the most popular being the 10.5 tog. Remember: the weight of the duvet does not relate to its tog rating. Duvets filled with natural materials have better thermal properties than synthetic versions, meaning you don’t need as much filling to achieve the same rating, often making them lighter.
Armed with an understanding of the tog system, you just need to decide if you want an ‘insulating’ duvet or a ‘temperature regulating’ duvet. Both will be able to keep you a temperature right for you all night long, allowing for a restorative night’s sleep.