Posted on September 24th, 2022.

If you've found yourself subbing out iced lattes and light jackets for hot drinks and big coats, it's clear that winter is coming, whether you like it or not. While we can deal with umbrellas and boots, switching out summer duvets for enormous winter bed covers, with higher tog ratings, feels a bit extreme.

James Higgins, the CEO of sustainable bedding company Ethical Bedding(opens in new tab) has taken a look at temperature stats over the past two years to reveal what he thinks is the best, exact date, to switch to your best duvet for winter this year. But is there any truth in it and what tog should you go for at this time of year? We investigate.

WHY AND WHEN TO CHANGE TO A WINTER DUVET?

Looking at UK weather reports by Statista(opens in new tab), there has been a steady rise in UK average daily temperatures since the 1960s. 

Despite this, when the seasons change, there are still significant drops in temperature, and Higgins notes that the figures for 2021 show that average daily temperatures fell by 25 per cent from August (16.1 degrees Celsius) to October (12.1 degrees Celsius). Whether you sleep hot or cold, that big difference will be noticeable come bed time.

As a result, this year Higgins thinks swapping out your duvet earlier could be wise, 'We would advise that people looking to swap their duvet tog a little earlier in preparation, which would be Sunday 25th September.' 

'The 25th is the ideal date to swap your duvet tog as it's a couple of days before a predicted and historically recorded average temperature drop. As a Sunday it's also a great day to get your house into order before the week ahead and you won't be caught off guard for any large climate changes towards the end of the month.'

'The best two togs to take into the winter months are usually a 7 or a 10.5. The best tog for you entirely depends on the type of sleeper you are. If you are naturally a warm sleeper or have a smaller, cozy, room that retains heat, then a 7 is enough to take you into the colder months. If you have a larger or draughty room then a 10.5 might be the best fit. The difference between the two togs is the thickness of the filing in your duvet and sometimes the material. Polyester is a more breathable material so you may need a higher tog to get the same effect to the likes of down feather which retains heat better, and requires a less intense tog level.'

WHY AND WHEN TO CHANGE TO A WINTER DUVET?

Looking at UK weather reports by Statista(opens in new tab), there has been a steady rise in UK average daily temperatures since the 1960s. 

Despite this, when the seasons change, there are still significant drops in temperature, and Higgins notes that the figures for 2021 show that average daily temperatures fell by 25 per cent from August (16.1 degrees Celsius) to October (12.1 degrees Celsius). Whether you sleep hot or cold, that big difference will be noticeable come bed time.

As a result, this year Higgins thinks swapping out your duvet earlier could be wise, 'We would advise that people looking to swap their duvet tog a little earlier in preparation, which would be Sunday 25th September.' 

'The 25th is the ideal date to swap your duvet tog as it's a couple of days before a predicted and historically recorded average temperature drop. As a Sunday it's also a great day to get your house into order before the week ahead and you won't be caught off guard for any large climate changes towards the end of the month.'

'The best two togs to take into the winter months are usually a 7 or a 10.5. The best tog for you entirely depends on the type of sleeper you are. If you are naturally a warm sleeper or have a smaller, cozy, room that retains heat, then a 7 is enough to take you into the colder months. If you have a larger or draughty room then a 10.5 might be the best fit. The difference between the two togs is the thickness of the filing in your duvet and sometimes the material. Polyester is a more breathable material so you may need a higher tog to get the same effect to the likes of down feather which retains heat better, and requires a less intense tog level.'

Source