What does TOG mean? Let’s take a look.
What does TOG mean?
These days there’s a lot more choice in terms of, well, everything. It all gets a bit puzzling. Between synthetic and feather and down duvets and the different tog ratings, it feels like you can’t even buy a new duvet without having a million and one questions.
With our handy guide, you can find out everything you need to know in one place and be better equipped to make the purchase that suits you without spending a fortune. Spending approximately one-third of your life asleep, it’s important to get this decision right.
What is Tog? What does TOG mean?
Tog is the unit used to measure thermal resistance. In terms of duvets, tog measurements are based on the thickness of your duvet and how well it will insulate you when you go to bed depending on how hot or cold it is.
It is recommended, throughout the different seasons, that you change up your duvet in order to maintain a comfortable temperature whilst you’re asleep, improving your quality of sleep.
What Tog & Type of Duvet Should You Have for Each Season?
Summer: A duvet for the summer is thinner than its counterparts at a standard of 4.5 tog. Lightweight and airy, this stops you from feeling discomfort by overheating, but still gives the comfort of feeling tucked in. For the best in terms of materials and filling, browse a cotton or synthetic duvet, which are ideally suited in the hotter months. Cotton and synthetic materials mean it can wick away any moisture and it’s not too thick and heavy.
Silk is also a smart choice for its cooling and breathable qualities but is a slightly more expensive option.
Winter: During the winter you will want to shop at the other end of the spectrum and browse duvets between 12 to 15 tog. As the temperatures drop, the design of higher tog duvets means the heat can be trapped in thicker structures and maintain body heat.
Choose feather and down or wool for combined warmth. The properties of wool duvets are especially ideal for couples who have differing body temperatures, as wool is able to regulate both so one isn’t over heating whilst the other is cold. Couples should also consider the lower end of winter tog duvets to account for their combined body heat.
Spring & Autumn: Unsurprisingly duvets for spring and autumn should meet somewhere in the middle.
At around 8-9 tog, this will maintain an even body heat as the weather fluctuates in the mid temperatures. If we’re being realistic, though, you’re not going to buy 3 separate duvets. It’s expensive and a little bit excessive.
However, shop at retailers like Soak & Sleep and you can find ‘All Seasons’. An ‘All Seasons’ duvet consists of a total of 13 togs, but is made up of two duvets; a 4 tog and a 9 tog. Separately, you have your essential tog for a summer and spring/autumn duvet.
These two duvets are designed with cufflinks, allowing you to combine both duvets to create 13.5 tog for when the weather demands your winter duvet. ‘All Seasons’ duvets allow you to design your duvet tog based on both the weather and on what is most cost-effective.
Caring for your duvet
With the proper care and attention, your duvet should last and be changed every 5 years. When looking at the costs it is worth knowing that an average Soak & Sleep duvet is between £45-£65 depending on what you choose.
This equates to a mid-range duvet costing you as little as £1 a month for its lifetime.
Although cheaper materials might speak to your budget, you’re better off avoiding something that’ll fall short of its life expectancy and end up having to buy another duvet sooner rather than later.
Spend a little more on more high-quality duvet fillings like feather and down or wool and sleep easy at night knowing you found the right duvet for you.
pin What does TOG mean? for later…
What does TOG mean? is a feature post – you might also like my post on the embroidered duvet covers
