Your Guide to Understanding Duvet Tog Ratings

Understand Tog ratings to help choose your perfect duvet

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When shopping for a new duvet, you have probably seen the term "tog rating" somewhere on the packaging. This small but significant number plays a role in determining how warm and comfortable your nights will be. But what exactly is a tog rating and how do you choose the right one for the different seasons?

What is a Tog Rating?

A tog rating refers to how well insulated a particular duvet is, or in other words: how effective a duvet is at retaining heat and keeping you warm throughout the night. This system was originally created by The Shirley Institute, which was the Manchester-based headquarters of the British Cotton Industry Research Association, as an easier way to express thermal insulation in textiles. The tog rating system replaced the more complex measurement of m²K/W. Manchester remains closely linked to textiles today, with wholesale suppliers such as Ottoman Textiles offering a wide range of tog-rated duvets to suit every season and setting across the UK.

The tog scale ranges from the lightest and most breathable duvets (tog 1) to the thickest and warmest (tog 18). However most duvets found in the UK typically fall between 4.5 and 13.5 tog. The higher the rating, the better the duvet is at trapping warm air and providing insulation.

It's important to note with duvets, thickness doesn't necessarily equate to warmth. A duvet's insulating properties depend on the materials used rather than its bulk. Natural materials like down tend to be more insulative than synthetic ones. So, a thinner duvet with a natural fill might have the same tog rating as a thicker duvet with a synthetic fill.

What Tog Duvet Should You Choose for Winter?

During winter in the UK experts recommend using duvets with a tog rating between 10.5 and 13.5. However most people in the UK use a 13.5 tog duvet when it is cold. If you live in an older home with less insulation, drafty windows or thinner walls, you might want to consider a higher tog rating than 13.5 to keep you warm.

If you get cold easily or live in a colder climate, a 15-tog duvet is an excellent choice for winter. This duvet is designed to feel fuller and retain more heat for longer periods. However, your personal preferences and sleeping habits also factor into your decision. If you tend to run hot while sleeping, you might be comfortable with a slightly lower tog rating even in winter.

What Tog Duvet for Summer?

For the warmer summer months, experts recommend using a duvet with a tog rating between 2.5 and 4.5. This lower rating means less insulation, making the duvet lighter and cooler to sleep under in the warmer weather. The 4.5 tog is the most popular duvet choice in the UK during the summer. However if you tdnc to feel hot while sleeping, you might want to consider a 2.5 tog for summer.

Just Comfy advises having different duvets for summer and winter. Most people find switch to a summer duvet when outside temperatures consistently reach 15°C at night.

Seasonal Tog Guide

Here is a general guide you can use to help choose the right tog rating for different times of the year.

Summer (2.5-4.5 tog): Lightweight and breathable. Perfect for those warmer nights.
Spring/Autumn (6-10.5 tog): Medium weight. Ideal for transitional seasons.
Winter (10.5-15 tog): Heavier and offers better insulation for cold nights.

Many people in the UK choose an all-season duvet. This is where two separate duvets, usually a summer weight and a spring/autumn weight, are fastened together to create a winter weight duvet. For example, a 4.5 tog and a 9 tog duvet can be combined to create a 13.5 tog duvet for winter. This saves the need to have 3 different duvets and allows you to adapt quickly as the temperature changes.

Beyond Tog: Other Considerations

While tog rating is important, it's not the only factor to consider when choosing a duvet. The filling material affects the duvet’s comfort and performance. Natural fillings like goose down and wool are excellent at regulating temperature, while synthetic fillers are generally more affordable and hypoallergenic.

Casing material also matters when choosing the right duvet, particularly in summer. A 100% cotton casing is recommended for all duvets, as it's both temperature regulating and effectively wicks away moisture.

Your home's insulation, personal temperature preferences and whether you share your bed with a partner who may have different temperature needs all play a role in determining the ideal tog rating. By understanding tog ratings and considering your specific needs, you can make an informed choice that ensures comfortable, restful sleep throughout the year, regardless of the season.