On the hunt for the perfect duvet to make your dreams even sweeter? One factor to consider is the tog rating. Tog is a measurement of a duvet’s thermal insulation, helping you find the right level of warmth for every season. But what does tog really mean?
In our duvet tog guide, we’ll unravel the mysteries of tog ratings, so you can choose the duvet to suit your needs. Whether you need a light and breezy cover for summer nights or a snuggly cocoon to beat the chill, understanding tog will ensure you stay comfy all year round.
We’ll guide you through everything from the science behind the tog to practical tips on selecting the right one for your bed. Say goodbye to restless nights and hello to dreamy, uninterrupted sleep with the ultimate duvet from Secret Linen Store.
What is a Duvet Tog Rating?
The British term ‘tog’ (short for ‘Thermal Overall Grade’) refers to the thermal effectiveness of your duvet or, in simpler terms, how toasty and warm your duvet will be! The higher the tog, the warmer the duvet.
This means that the best tog for you can change depending on the seasons, with a high tog duvet keeping you warm through winter and a low tog duvet helping you slumber in summer.
What Duvet Filling is Best?
It’s a common misconception that a high tog duvet is a heavy duvet, but that’s simply not the case! Feather and down duvets have such fantastic thermal properties that very little filling is needed to give them a high tog compared to synthetic versions.
Another option is a wool duvet, which doesn’t have a tog rating at all! Wool has moisture wicking abilities and great airflow to keep you cool balanced with insulating properties for warmth.
How Are Togs Measured?
To measure the tog of a duvet, heat is applied to one side by laying it on a hot plate and the heat transfer to the other side is measured. Scientists take multiple measurements from different parts of the duvet’s surface to get the most accurate average.
The temperature difference between the two sides is multiplied by ten, and voila, you have the tog!
Duvet Tog Rating Chart - Matching Tog to Temperature
Now you know the meaning of duvet tog, it’s time to match the tog rating to the time of year with some help from our terrific tog table!
Of course, this table isn’t total gospel! Only you know which duvet feels most comfortable for you. Our blog on matching duvet togs to the different seasons can explain further.
Suitable For All Seasons
Our versatile All Seasons duvet is bound to make you smile.
What is an All Seasons duvet, we hear you ask? It's a handy three-in one combination of our 4.5 and 9 tog duvets, which can be used separately for summer (4.5 tog) and spring/autumn (9 tog) and then snapped together for the cold winter months.
Arriving in a lovely cotton canvas bag, you’ll have somewhere to store the duvet you’re not using, keeping it fresh as a daisy for when you next need it. For more tips on maintaining a fresh, fluffy duvet, why not have a look at our duvet care guide?
What Tog Duvet is Right for a Child or Toddler?
Little ones just can’t regulate their body temperature in the way an adult does, so a lighter tog is in order.
Remember, for tots under twelve months, duvets should be avoided altogether. After that, a 2.5 tog duvet is cosy as can be in winter while in summer you’ll only need a 1 tog duvet.
For kids older than three, a 4 or 4.5 ton duvet is ideal for midsummer nights' dreaming, while a 7.5-ton duvet is just right for winter.
Another option is a wool duvet like our Baa Baa Bedtime Toddler Duvet, which can keep your toddler’s temperature just right night after night from age two and up.
To learn more about helping your child sleep, see our baby and child bedding guide or browse our collection.
Does What I Wear To Bed Affect The Tog Rating I Should Get?
Everybody’s different when it comes to what they wear to bed, from snug pyjamas to flowy nighties and even nothing at all!
Sleepwear provides an extra layer of warmth, so long-sleeved cotton pyjamas in winter might mean you don’t need to go the whole 13.5 tog hog except on the extra icy nights. Meanwhile, those slumbering in their birthday suits haven’t got an extra layer for warmth, so higher tog duvets are the way to go if there’s a chill in the air.
As for babies, they can’t have duvets as we’ve mentioned above, but you can get tog-rated baby sleepwear for the nights when a blanket just won’t be enough.
Are Heavier Duvets Warmer?
Because different duvet fillings have different thermal properties, heavier doesn’t always mean hotter. For example, a goose down duvet and a synthetic duvet might be the same weight, but the goose down will likely have a higher tog thanks to the extra special insulating magic it has, which you can learn all about in our duck and goose down comparison guide.
Need a hand picking the right duvet filling? We have all the info you need!
Are High-Tog Duvets Expensive?
Higher-tog duvets generally require more filling material, resulting in small price increases. An all seasons duvet, which can be taken apart and buttoned together depending on the tog you need, can help you save money in the long run rather than buying separate duvets of each tog.
When Should I Replace My Duvet?
A good duvet should last about five years before a new one is needed, which you can read more about in our blog 'When to Replace Your Bedding’.
If you’re ready to buy a new duvet, our buying guide can help.
Our Secret Linen Duvets
At Secret Linen Store, we have a carefully curated range of exceptionally high quality duvets with all togs available in a range of sizes and filling options, including feather and down blends, 100% natural down and a couple of synthetic options.
You’ll be pleased to know that we’ve also spent time developing a range of special sustainable duvets using age-old fillings made from British wool, recycled fillings and recycled down.
Our goose and duck down duvets are two of our most popular, super soft filling options. See our comparison guide to judge which of these duvet types will be comfiest for you.
You'll be sleeping like a baby in these carefully crafted and cosy bedding options, knowing you are doing your bit for the planet too. Why not peek at some of our most popular duvets, available in all togs and sizes?
If you have any questions about our duvets, please give us a call on 01243 822 599 or email us at helpmechoose@secretlinenstore.com.
