In winter we desire to make our beds as warm and cozier as possible. There's no easier way to turn a bed into a cosy place than adding a 13.5 tog duvet. Some people argue that only a 13.5 tog duvet will cater all their needs and keep them warm and how they are supposed to buy it because knowing only togs value is not needed to buy the duvet. Many other factors need consideration. Therefore in this article, we have rounded up a few basics you need to consider when buying a 13.5 tog duvet. 

Let's begin with the tog rating 

There come 1.5 to 15 togs duvet and each varies in warmth and thermal insulation. The togs value is the indication of warmth you're likely to receive from the respective topper. Usually, 4.5 to 7.5 is referred to the summer use, therefore, they are too light to use in winter, 7.5 to 10.5 are the fall/round the year and are an ideal solution for the warm sleepers to stay cool at winter nights. 

They can be used around the year as well.  10.5+ are the winter ones because they provide a toasty place to sleep in. For normal and cold sleepers 13.5 togs toppers are the best go-to when the nights start becoming frosty. Those who live in very cold areas or experience shivering while sleeping can opt for a 15 togs topper. 

If you are not sure which type of sleeper you are, just buy 4.5 and 10.5 duvets to use them in their respective seasons and winters clip them up to increase their thermal insulation. We think it’s the better way instead of opting for a wrong togs duvet. 

Opt for the right size 

Many people use a single duvet for a single bed, a double for a double bed and vice versa. It is a good idea because it doesn't let the topper drape over the bed instead fits nicely to it. But it can lead to problems when you are sharing your bed with someone to become more comfortable, buying a double-sized topper for a double bed will lead to a tug and war in the middle of the night to get the topper to cover yourself. It'll also wake you up every time your partner tosses or turns around, so you are likely to pull the topper all night. To get rid of this we recommend you to buy a large-sized duvet for your bed. 

For instance, those having a double or queen size bed should opt for a king-size and those having king size and super king size beds should go for super king size duvets. This will provide you with enough toppers that you will neither be disturbed by your partner nor will you have to pull the topper for yourself. No one from you will be left uncovered. So switch to one size larger topper than you need to have a comfortable and uninterrupted sleep.

Choose filling material that caters your needs

Duvets have an insert closed in a fabric shell. The insert is made using various natural and synthetic materials owing to thermal insulation and warmth properties. 

Synthetic fillings 

Nowadays synthetic filling is more popular than natural ones because they are ideal for hypoallergenic people, easy to care for, need no extra maintenance, light in weight, offer enhanced breathability, and are available at affordable rates. 

When it comes to synthetic fillings, microfiber, hollow fibre, and polyester stand out.

Microfiber duvets contain thin and fine strands as filling material. They are soft, fluffy, and warm. They offer excellent breathability and moisture-absorbing properties. Suitable for both warm and cold sleepers the fine nature of fibers makes the duvets appear uniform and smooth. Microfiber toppers are incredibly skin-friendly as well. So those suffering from any skin disorders like acne breakout, clogged pores, and sensitivity should go for them.

Whereas polyester and hollow fibers are thick and heavy. They are warmer, fluffier, and softer than microfibers. They also offer moisture absorbing and breathability. It is worthy to mention here that polyester duvets are sometimes less environment friendly so better opt for microfiber or hollow fiber only. 

Natural fillings

When it comes to natural fillings, down, feathers, cotton, silk, and wool are used. Each of these materials owns specific fill powers which greatly depend on their quality. Down refers to the chest area of feather clusters of duck or geese. They are excellent at trapping heat and keep one’s body warm. They are soft, smooth, fluffy, and comfortable. These luxurious inserts are very durable as well. The only thing that can hold you back from buying them is their high price. 

Feather fillings are obtained from bird's feathers mostly duck or geese'. They are another excellent filling material like down and stand out in breathability, softness, and lightweight. A significant feature is their structural adjustment with the shape of the body which relaxes the muscles to a great extent. As the size of the feathers increased their structure, weight, and durability increased as well. Note that feather fillings tend to escape gradually reducing the weight and warmth as a result. 

Silk is another excellent filling material. Silk strands offer exceptional breathability and softness. They are skin friends and retain skin's moisture preventing acne breakouts due to clogged pores. Silk inserts provide the desired warmth as well. The drawbacks of using them can be their high prices and high maintenance.

Pay attention to the thread count of duvet shell

Shell is the outermost fabric bag which comes in contact with the body. The comfort you're likely to receive greatly depends on it. Therefore it is necessary to choose it wisely. We recommend you to opt for an extra-long stapled fabric material with a thread count of 350-400 for utmost comfort and benefits. Other than cotton, a silk shell with 220 to 250 GSM can be used. We advise you not to invest much in the shell fabric because eventually, you are going to cover your duvet with a cover.