Our head of shopping puts Simba’s new 3-in-1 cooling duvet to the test this heatwave week…
I don’t know about you, but summer nights can feel like a tactical battle. You start with the window wide open, duvet kicked to the bottom of the bed and a fan blasting away in the corner, but by 3 am, you’re tangled in the sheets, too warm for covers but somehow freezing without them. The UK’s weather really can’t make up its mind.
The seasonal struggle of trying to get comfortable without sweating through the night has had a serious impact on my sleep, and I’ve been waking up groggy, headachy and dehydrated.
So when I heard about Simba’s new Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet- with a so-called ‘cooling’ duvet layer featuring clever fabric tech designed to keep you fresh in summer, snug in winter and just-right in between- I was intrigued. A duvet that adapts to the seasons sounded like a way better approach to sleep compared to my usual approach of either shivering or sweating. Could a piece of bedding really make more difference than a fan? I had to find out….
- Three-in-one design – Two separate layers: a super-light 3.5 tog for summer and a 7 tog for spring/autumn. Button them together and you get a cosy 10.5 tog for winter
- Stratos ‘cool-touch’ tech – Similar to the tech that keeps astronauts cool in space, the cool-to-the-touch side helps regulate temperature
- Simba Renew™ filling – A soft, down-like material made from recycled plastic bottles and blended with modal for breathability
- Even fill distribution – Square stitching stops clumps from forming and keeps the fill where it should be
- Machine washable – You can wash it at home (just make sure your drum is roomy enough) and it bounces back to life
- Eco-friendly – Made with Better Cotton Initiative cotton and fully recyclable filling
- Storage bag included – Handy for stashing the layer you’re not using
READ MORE: Futuristic tech to revolutionise your sleep– from an AI bed to anti-snore pillow
My review
The first thing I noticed was how different this felt from my old duvet. The summer layer is feather-light but still gives you that comforting covered feeling, which I didn’t realise I missed when I was sleeping under nothing but hot air. On those muggy nights, like the ones we’re having this week, where even the thought of bedding feels suffocating, the Stratos cool-touch side proved to be great – genuinely cool when you first get in, and somehow not stifling as the night went on.
When the temperature dips later in the summer, I’m ready to switch to the 7 tog – no need for me to load up on blankets. Clipping the two together for a test run gave me a fluffy, hotel-bed kind of warmth that’s making me look forward to cosy season. I’m also delighted that I don’t have to buy a whole new duvet for winter. The 3-in-1 design means I don’t have to store three separate duvets, which would also cost a fair amount to buy separately.
Though for the purpose of testing, I did indeed give up my Dyson fan for one night to see if I could stay cool, but it did get turned back on for the next night. The duvet does stop me from feeling stuffy and overheating beneath blankets, but the airflow around the room during a heatwave has still definitely been needed.
At £249 for the 3-in-1 duvet, it’s definitely an investment, but I think of it as upgrading my bed for every season in one go. No more swapping duvets in and out of storage and no more 3 a.m. sheet-flinging. It’s well worth the price, if you ask me.
Looking for another cooling duvet suggestion for a lower price? Dunelm’s Fogarty Cool Duvet 4.5 Tog Summer Duvet costs from £11 and has over 800 glowing reviews for its cooling and cosy feel.