Pajamas for Hot Sleepers: What to Wear When You Wake Up Warm

If you wake up warm, the fabric and cut of your pajamas matter. What to look for in pajamas for hot sleepers, and a few changes to the rest of the bed.

Some people sleep warm every night of the year. Others notice it in summer, or once the heating comes on and the bedroom never quite cools down. What you wear to bed is one of the easiest things to change.

Start with the fiber

Choose a natural fiber that lets air through and takes up moisture. Cotton does both. Long-staple cottons like Pima add a smoother surface, which helps on the nights you are already uncomfortable and you notice every seam.

Many synthetic fabrics, including a lot of polyester satin and fleece, hold heat and moisture close to the skin. They look silky, and some people like them on a cold night. For a warm sleeper they are usually the first thing to swap out. Check the fiber content line on the tag too: a blend with a large share of polyester traps more heat than pure cotton.

Then look at the cut

Fabric does part of the work. Fit does the rest.

• Short pajama sets leave arms and legs uncovered, which lets the body shed heat. A good pick for summer and for anyone who runs warm all year.
• Nightgowns let air move around the legs and skip the waistband altogether.
• Long pajama sets in light cotton still work for warm sleepers who like to be covered, especially in an air-conditioned room.
• A relaxed fit leaves space for air between fabric and skin. A set that is snug through the shoulders or hips holds more warmth than one with a little room.

You can see each style in our collections: short sets, nightgowns and long sets.

Check the weight

A lighter fabric lets more air through. When you are choosing between two pieces, read the fabric description on each product page. The lighter one is usually the cooler choice for summer, and the heavier one earns its place in January.

Warm in winter, too

Many people run warm only in the cold months. The heating is on, the duvet is thick, and the room stays dry and stuffy all night. A long set in light cotton is often the better choice here. It keeps your arms covered when you get up, and the fiber still breathes under the covers. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees at night if you can, and save the heavy blanket for the coldest weeks.

Set up the rest of the bed

Pajamas are one layer of several.

• Sheets. Cotton or linen sheets let heat escape more easily than polyester blends.
• Pillowcases. A cotton pillowcase, flipped to the cool side in the middle of the night, is a small fix that costs nothing.
• Layers. A light blanket plus a throw you can push aside works better for warm sleepers than one heavy duvet.
• The room. Sleep experts generally recommend a cool, dark and quiet bedroom. A fan or a slightly open window keeps air moving.
• A robe by the bed. If you sleep in a short set, a light robe covers you for early mornings, so you can skip the extra layers at night.

When it is more than the pajamas

Comfortable pajamas help a warm night feel better. Waking up soaked night after night, in a cool room with light bedding, is worth mentioning to your doctor, who can tell you whether something else is going on.

A simple place to start

Change one thing at a time. Swap synthetic pajamas for a cotton short set or a nightgown first, since it is the change you will notice soonest. Then look at the sheets.

If you want to see everything at once, the Sensory Finder lets you filter the whole collection by style, color and size. The first night in breathable cotton tells you more than any guide.