Half the battle of falling (and staying) asleep is feeling cool, according to sleep experts. Even if your central air or AC is cranking, your bedding can contribute to body temperature swings through the night, turning that elusive eight-hour slumber into yet another red-eyed write-off. The answer isn’t sleeping naked (although there are benefits). You need cooling sheets, comforters, mattress toppers, and pillows.
Not all bedding performs the same way. Light, breathable fabrics like bamboo, cotton, and Tencel wick moisture off skin and keep your body temperature in check when you’re ready to check out for the night. These cooling sheets and bedding picks are just what you need if you’re the human embodiment of a Bunsen burner.
Best Cooling Sheets and Bedding for Hot Sleepers
Photo Courtesy of Perfectly Snug
1. The Smart Topper by Perfectly Snug
This temperature-controlling mattress topper is a marvel for hot sleepers. It automatically adjusts to your ideal amount of cooling to keep you in dreamland. Use the Perfectly Snug app to set your preferred overnight temperature plan, as well as schedule your sleep/wake times. The Smart Topper does the rest, providing gentle airflow with tiny built-in fans to maintain your ideal core temp for optimal sleep duration. Stuck with a chilly partner? A dual-zone temperature function controls each side of the bed independently.
HercLéon’s proprietary material—called HercFiber—was sparked by a gross-but-totally-believable stat: Single men under the age of 30 only wash their bedsheets every three months. The miracle ingredients in the brand’s eco-friendly, “self-cleaning” cooling sheets are a combo of textiles (cotton, recycled polyester, bamboo) and metal (copper, silver, zinc), which work to keep you comfortable curb the funk effect. The standard set includes two pillowcases, fitted sheet, and flat sheet—with an optional duvet cover for an added cost.
The Neanderthals were right: Geological science plays its hand in comfortable bedding, as corroborated by this new line from True Temp—which incorporates 37.5 Performance Enhancing Materials made from volcanic sand particles to ensure you never get too hot or cold in bed. The science behind these sheets’ cooling powers lies in active-particle technology. The fabric attracts and removes moisture to prevent heat and humidity buildup while you sleep. Our favorite items include the True Temp sheet set, True Temp pillow, and durable and comfy True Temp blanket (which comes in a weighted version).
4. Takasa Organic + Fairtrade Cool + Crisp Cotton Bed Sheet Set
Rest your warm, weary bones on some of the most breathable cotton between the poles. Takasa’s organic percale fabric uses a traditional one-yarn-over/one-yarn-under weave grid that lends a matte finish and lightweight texture that ensures maximum air circulation and comfort. Plus, the more you wash these durable sheets, the cozier they get. Committed to organic, Fairtrade materials, Takasa’s sourcing practice lets you rest even easier.
Made entirely from Tencel Lyocell—a cellulose-based material spun and woven from eucalyptus wood pulp—this fabric absorbs moisture and jettisons it to the other side, keeping things nice and breezy throughout the night. Pair Sijo’s Eucalyptus Duvet Insert ($195) with the Eucalyptus Duvet Cover ($105)—available in a host of colors from white to forest green.
Rest your noggin on this chill, stretchy pillow concocted from a synthetic down alternative called—reassuringly—Suprelle Cool Night Fiber. As promised, the material resists that cloying warmth while providing firm support to your head and neck. For additional support, try the Therapedic Sleep RX Gel Memory Foam pillow.
If it’s crisp cotton or nothing, Red Land Cotton’s 140-thread-count percale sheets are a win. The cotton is sourced from a family farm in Alabama. We’re especially fond of the Ticking Stripe design; the charcoal and natural striping makes these sheets feel even more luxe by adding some visual interest. Before balking at the lower thread count (yeah, we know, 200 to 500 is the norm), keep in mind this wise old bedding adage: a higher-quality fiber with a lower thread count will be softer and hold up to washing better than the reverse—and provide better breathability.
Contrary to popular belief, hot sleepers can sleep with a comforter, so long as it’s made with the right materials. This comforter’s shell is made of bamboo viscose and filled with bamboo viscose fluff. Superior to recycled plastic or polyester (thanks to bamboo fiber’s ability to regulate temperature more effectively), you can cuddle up without overheating. For even more bang for your bamboo, pair it with the Laguna Sateen Sheet Set ($169).
How can we not geek out on the wild workings behind Sleepletics’ supremely cooling Celliant Performance Sheets? The fabric’s mineral-infused yarns recycle your body heat and reflect it back to you as therapeutic infrared light—an effect which is said to help regulate your body temperature and increase blood flow to muscles for better circulation and faster recovery.
Ash & Fir’s single-ply yarn set isn’t just impressively durable, it’s also lighter (read: cooler) than your average 300-thread-count cotton percale set. A long-staple cotton delivers on comfort (and value, at just $60), and they get softer with every wash. We also love that these sheets are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’re free from over 300 harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants, and the brand uses eco-friendly production methods. Another thoughtful feature: The fitted sheet has tags that say “Long” and “Short” so you get things right on the first try.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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