If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280. This way, you can be sure your bedding is soft and built to last while also allowing for steady airflow while you sleep.
Material. Most of the sleep experts we spoke to agreed that sheets made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are your best bet for sweaty sleepers because they're the most breathable (and therefore cooling).
“Too high of a thread count means that air doesn't circulate well and you'll sleep hot." Percale thread counts are lower simply because the plain weave allows for fewer threads in a square inch. Gopinath told us this made percale lighter and cooler, which is preferable in hotter temperatures or for hot sleepers.
For hotter nights, however, the best thread count for summer sheeting does tend to be the lighter end of the scale — the 300 and 400 thread counts. It allows for air to pass through the weave, helping you stay cool while sleeping.
That's because the less dense weave allows for more airflow. Of course, you don't want to choose a sheet with such a low thread count that it feels rough or falls apart. A sheet in the 250–300 thread count range could be an ideal fit for hot sleepers.
Material. Material is the number one factor in choosing the cooling sheet. Sheets made from natural fibres, like linen and cotton are the best for people who sweat while asleep.
Egyptian cotton is more breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent than normal cotton, which helps to regulate your body temperature, making it ideal for balmy summer nights, and all year round comfortable sleeping. This works by drawing away moisture from your skin when you are hot, allowing you to cool down.
Use your low-count sheets during the warm summer months and break out those thick, high-count sheets for the winter. That way, you'll be comfortable year-round.
Temperature Neutrality
As a natural fabric, bamboo is fairly breathable, which helps keep the sleeper cool and comfortable.
It's possible to buy sheets with over 1,000 thread counts, yet luxury hotel sheets often opt for sheet with 200-300 thread count.
Their hollow center makes silk fibers far better at regulating body temperature than cotton. When you sweat, silk wicks away moisture and keeps you cool; when you're not, it insulates and maintains warmth. This is why silk sheets are great for staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.
Bamboo sheets are light, smooth, breathable and antibacterial. They are also cooler to the touch than cotton sheets. Beyond that, bamboo can absorb 40% more water than cotton. So a bamboo sheet is a great choice to absorb sweat.
Linen is also very absorbent and has natural moisture-wicking qualities, taking away the icky feeling of waking up sweaty. In comparison,bamboo sheets have a higher thread count, meaning they're not as cool as linen bedding but provide more warmth during the winter.
Silk materials keep heat trapped – the fibres of silk do not allow sweat or heat to get through, resulting in overheating and sweat building up each night. Bamboo sheets, on the other hand, have tiny micro-gaps within the fibres; allowing both sweat and heat to pass through and cool your body down.
Both are breathable fabrics that help cool down a hot sleeper. But eucalyptus has the added benefit of being a fabric that feels cool to the touch. Due to this, eucalyptus is the better pick for sweaty sleepers who are looking for a sheet set.
Lower thread count quality cotton sheets will also absorb sweat and dry out much faster than high density sheets, which, because of the closeness of the threads, will generally hold on to moisture once it is absorbed.
1000 thread count sheets made with an Egyptian cotton blend are incredibly soft to the touch, meaning you'll love every second you spend wrapped in them. Sheets with a high thread count are also more durable than lower thread count alternatives or products made from synthetic materials like polyester.
In fact, as thread counts increase, fabrics can become denser and warmer because there are more threads of yarn per square inch, especially if a multi-ply yarn is used. For example, 1,000-thread-count sheets tend to feel heavy and warm because the excess threads can make the fabric less breathable.
As a general rule, we recommend you stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon in hot and humid weather conditions since these materials tend to trap odors and bacteria. Garments made of synthetic materials cannot breathe and will trap the heat and make you feel warm.
Chambray
Because this is cotton, it too will keep you cool in dry heat & humidity. What's The Benefit? Chambray often comes in a higher thread count, which means it's a finer weave & more breathable fabric. Stylist Tip: Chambray has a similar look to denim so you can get the look without feeling weighed down.
Egyptian cotton is favored because it has a very long fiber, which allows it to be spun into fine, soft and durable yarns.
Bamboo sheets are the perfect choice for hot sleepers thanks to their breathable and lightweight properties. The natural fibers in bamboo fabrics allow air to flow through them, helping to regulate your body temperature while you sleep.
Percale sheets use a tight and flat weave that results in a cool and crisp feeling sheet. You may think that a tight weave indicates that it will keep you warm, but percale is actually the preferred weave for helping your body stay cool at night.
Cons of Bamboo Fabric
The chemicals used to process the fabric are harmful to human health and the environment. Shrinkage of the Fabric: Bamboo fabric tends to shrink at a faster rate compared to cotton. Expensive: Natural bamboo fabric tends to be more expensive than the rayon type or even cotton.