When the weather heats up, many of us find sleeping more difficult. There are plenty of factors that disrupt your sleep when the temperature rises, but the most common culprits are the heat itself, along with the accompanying humidity. 

According to science, the reason is fairly simple: at night, our body temperature naturally goes down, triggering the release of hormones that help us go to sleep and stay asleep. In the morning, our body temperature starts to rise again, signaling it’s time to wake up. Voila! But when it’s hot at night, our bodies don’t get that natural temperature drop telling our body it’s time to sleep. As a result, we don’t fall asleep as easily, and we don’t sleep as deeply or as long as we ideally should. 

Basically, hot weather short circuits our natural sleep patterns.

To help combat the heat, researchers recommend sleeping in a cool room. But beyond relying on fans and air conditioning, sheets that keep you cool will help you maintain that perfect temperature, allowing you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night. 

The good news is that we’ve done the research for you. Here are our recommendations for the two best kinds of sheets for hot weather and the best bedding for hot sleepers, regardless of the weather.

100% Cotton Percale Sheets

If you like sheets that are softly crisp like a well-loved button-down shirt, then we recommend 100% cotton percale sheets. The cotton bedding wicks away sweat where it quickly evaporates for a cooling effect, keeping you comfortable all night. When combined with the breathability of a percale weave, that cooling effect is intensified. For optimally breathable sheets, look for percale sheets with these four factors:

• Made with 100% cotton, be sure to avoid sheets with man-made fibers that can retain water and heat.
• Made from long-staple cotton, the cotton fibers are long and fine, resulting in sublimely soft, crisp, and long-lasting sheets, making them the perfect sheets for summer and beyond.  
• Woven from Supima cotton, which is grown in the American southwest and is far superior to Egyptian cotton in both softness and strength. 
• 500 thread count for truly breathable sheets that are comfortable against your skin. Lower thread count cotton linens are often rough to the touch because they are woven from overly-thick cotton threads. With higher thread count sheets, the thread quality can be so thin that they lack the strength and durability of a fine set of percale sheets.

100% Bamboo Sheets

If you like soft-to-the-touch sheets and light as a feather, then we recommend 100% bamboo sheets to keep you cool at night. Bamboo sheets are supple, airy, and breathable, so they’re cool to the touch all night long. Plus, bamboo naturally resists odors and is hypoallergenic, so it’s also great for people with allergies and other sensitivities. To get the most of bamboo’s cooling properties, look for bamboo sheets with these three factors:

• 100% bamboo, which is sometimes referred to as Rayon or Viscose from bamboo. Don’t worry; while these terms raise the specter of polyester (yuck!), they are really just names for the thread or yarn made from bamboo fibers. 
• 250 thread count; bamboo fibers are naturally soft and fine, so the thread count is not as important as cotton sheets, where a 500 thread count is a must. 
• Made with extra-long staple yarn, yielding bamboo sheets that are silky soft yet durable.

Sleep Well

When the weather gets hot, or if you’re just a naturally warm sleeper, opt for either percale cotton or bamboo. These sheets are designed to keep you cool, allowing for sweet dreams all night. Pick the feel that’s right for you and rest easy!