As a long-suffering hot sleeper, there are a selection of products I swear by to keep me cool and comfortable as I snooze. I rave about my Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet to anyone who will listen, and I love my Luff Mayfair Pillow, complete with a gel pad for sweet, cooling relief. My latest sweat-busting find is a set of cooling pyjamas from The Oodie, the viral brand best known for its cosy blanket hoodies.
Whether you’re struggling with menopausal night sweats, battling a heatwave or, like me, you simply run hot at night, they’re seriously worth considering.
Of course, you don’t just have to take my word for it. I roped in the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, along with a panel of sweaty sleepers, to put them to the test. Read on for our full verdict, plus everything you need to know about these innovative PJs.
The Oodie’s cooling pyjamas at a glance
The Oodie’s pyjama collection spans short-sleeve T-shirts, long-sleeve tops, shorts and bottoms, with cuffed and wide leg options. They come in a range of bright prints and can be mixed and matched to suit your preferences.
The jersey material is made from a modal blend, which the brand claims is “21% more breathable than regular cotton jersey”. It’s designed to keep you cool and sweat-free all night long, while also providing comfort. According to The Oodie, the fabric “feels softer than silk”, too.
The Good Housekeeping Institute review
Scoring an impressive 83/100 in our Good Housekeeping Institute tests, here’s how my fellow hot sleepers and I got on...
Design and fit
Our panel tried a range of full length and short-sleeve sets based on what they like to sleep in. They rated the relaxed fit for lounging and sleeping, with one tester saying, “I liked the weight of the fabric, which draped across my body well in a flattering way.”
Those who tried the shorts liked the length – they didn’t feel restrictive around the thighs, and they weren’t too short – and everyone appreciated the addition of practical pockets. The bold colourways and patterns earned mixed reviews from testers; some thought they were “cute” and “fun” while others said they were “too much”.
The sets come in a wide range of sizes, from small to 2XL, but based on panel feedback, we recommend sizing up if you’re unsure as some found the thick waistband a little snug and you don't want to feel constrained at night.
Comfort
The PJs scored highly for comfort thanks to the lightweight, flexible fabric. “I would happily wear them all day!” said one pleased panellist (if only we could). They felt really soft and snuggly, even for those with sensitive skin, and the baggy design (waistband aside) meant there was no rubbing or chafing overnight.
Performance
The big question: did they live up to their cooling claims? That’s a big “yes”, according to our panel. “They had a great cooling effect,” confirmed one tester, while another told us “I was surprised by the performance of the long-sleeve cooling top. It really helped keep me cool during the heatwave.”
Granted, they aren’t a miracle cure for preventing night sweats, but they did help testers feel more comfortable as they slept and allowed them to enjoy a more restful night. The techy fabric absorbed moisture effectively and didn’t feel wet or sticky when things did get sweaty.
Durability
Testers were impressed with the “high-quality fabric”, saying the PJs maintained their quality after multiple washing, with no shrinkage or noticeable colour fading reported. Our experts found minimal changes during their lab tests too, only noting some very minor colour fading.
Shop The Oodie's cooling pyjama range
Final verdict: Are The Oodie cooling pyjamas worth it?
No matter the season, regulating your body temperature and keeping cool overnight is crucial for a quality night’s sleep. Evidence shows that being too hot can disrupt REM and deep sleep, causing fractured, restless slumber.
Along with the best summer duvets and the best cooling bedding, investing in a decent pair of temperature-regulating PJs can do wonders for your sleep quality – especially if you’re dealing with hot flashes from the menopause or travelling to warmer climes.
They aren’t the cheapest option on the market – you do have to invest in your chosen top and bottoms separately, with prices for a full set starting from £78 – but, as with all The Oodie products, the quality is undeniable. Personally, I’ll be wearing my PJs all summer long.
See our full round-up of the best cooling pyjamas for more expert-approved picks.
How we test
We don’t just ask one person to try a pair of cooling pyjamas for a night or two. Instead, we enlisted of panel of five testers – all of whom said they struggled with overheating at night – to test the pyjamas over a few weeks.
Once the testing period was complete, they provided very feedback via an in-depth survey spanning design, fit, comfort and performance. They considered whether the material felt cooling and if it successfully absorbed sweat, as well as seeing how they washed. Crucially, they also told us whether they’d continue wearing the pyjamas after the trial period.
Back at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts conducted wash tests to check for any shrinkage and colour fading. They then collated and analysed all the feedback to award the pyjamas a final score.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for 100 years, developing rigorous protocols to ensure we recommend only the very best on the market. Whether it’s assessing the best beauty buys in the lab or trialling the latest parenting gadgets, our dedicated teams are experts in the fields, so you can be confident in their recommendations.
Our senior sleep and wellness tester, Kim Hawley, looks after our sleep reviews, ensuring we’re judging each product rigorously and fairly, from the best mattress toppers to sleep masks.
Our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, then transforms Kim’s finding into easy-to-read reviews, so you can choose the best buy for you. Priyankaa has trialled and written about hundreds of sleep products, and interviewed numerous experts, so knows what goes into creating the ideal sleep set-up.
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Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.