Sleep expert warns it's too early in the year to ditch your summer duvet yet

01 September 2023 , 16:53

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You don't need your winter duvet just yet, according to a pro (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you're the type of sleeper who alternates between a summer and winter duvet, you're probably wondering when's best to dig out your warmer bedding. Now September's rolled around, there's still likely to be a few warm nights but not near as many as those we enjoyed throughout the summer.

Some heat-seekers may have even switched duvets already. But for the rest of us, including, who aren't sure when to make the switch, an expert has delivered their verdict. October 7 is the exact day that you should swap out your summer duvet tog, according to sleep specialist James Higgins.

As CEO of Ethical Bedding, James knows a thing or two about sleep, and he thinks October is the best month to make the switch ready for the winter ahead. The expert explained: "When we looked into the data, there were a few factors that made it visibly clear when could be a good time to look at switching out your duvet tog from a summer thickness of 4.5-7 togs to a winter thickness of around 10.5-15 togs. Firstly, monitoring trends of temperatures at midnight in autumn for the last two years, we observed a significant temperature drop happening in the second week of October.

"In 2021, the temperature decreased by 27%, while in 2022, we experienced an astonishing 45 per cent drop in temperature. Furthermore, examining the daily breakdown of October 2021 and 2022, October 9 was the first date in the month which had consistently recurring low temperatures under 10 degrees Celsius in the days that followed. Based on these figures and historical weather patterns, we would advise that people look to swap their bedding on the second weekend of the month, which will be Saturday, October 7."

Sharing advice on how to pick between different duvets, James added: "When winter rolls around, you might want a quilt that more effectively traps your body heat to keep you warmer. Otherwise, you run the risk of suffering from shivering and broken sleep. What's more, the psychological aspect of feeling snug and warm in bed can have positive effects on your mood and overall sleep experience.

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"Consider a quilt that's at the very warm end of the scale. A thick duvet with a 13.5+ tog will offer ultimate heat retention during the long and chilly nights. If you're someone who prefers to keep things a little lighter, a winter duvet that’s 10.5 tog should also keep you comfortable."

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Amber O'Connor