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We also reached out toWhitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi, for expert percale sheet-shopping wisdom.
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In our testing, they shrank a bit in the wash. After six months of testing, were planning on getting a second pair in a different color.
Theyre highly breathable and stay cool for hot sleepers too, even while paired with a warm quilt.
The sheets are also 100% organic and Oeko-Tex and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified.
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The color faded a bit after washing.
For $45, these sheets far surpassed our expectations in terms of quality.
We slept so well and never needed to stick a limb out for a cool reprieve.
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They felt more expensive than they are, and they also helped slightly with moisture-wicking.
Unique to these sheets is their ability to fit multiple mattress depths.
Its strong staying power keeps corners in place even through a night of sleep.
In fact, they were some of the best-fitting sheets weve experienced.
They felt thick and durable too, maintaining their texture without any signs of wear after these six months.
Our only caveat was that we found that heavy sweat stains did not come out when washing.
They are a bit stiff and had noticeable wear after several months of use.
Those looking for a very crisp, hotel-like sheet will appreciate this sturdiness.
While its not the softest, it did a fantastic job of keeping hot, sweaty sleepers cool.
On hotter days, they kept us cool through the night, even with the top sheet.
Its a reliable sheet set for the price, maintaining its texture even after multiple washes.
They wrinkle easily after washing and are more stiff than soft cotton.
On hot days without air conditioning, these sheets kept us comfortably cool throughout the entire night.
Those that enjoy more structured sheets will appreciate the texturetheyre thick but still have a lived-in look.
There are a variety of colors and patterns toostripes, florals, paisleys, solids, you name it.
The sheets are easy to put on and fit perfectly over both the mattress and a topper.
They also seemed to pick up a fair amount of lint and pet hair.
They hold a bit more heat than others but are still effectively cooling.
Saatvas sheets are cozy and smooth and have all the classic perks of percale.
When pulling these on the bed, they fit perfectly, and the elastic in the corners felt durable.
The tags indicating the top, bottom, and sides were a plus as well.
Theyre relatively smooth in terms of wrinkles coming out of the dryer, too.
They have a relaxed, lived-in look, which some might not prefer.
The naturally lived-in texture makes for bedding that you just want to dive into.
They also kept us cool through all seasons.
They are extremely comfortable and durable, maintaining their crisp, comfy nature even after multiple washes.
We first started by washing the sheets according to the manufacturers care instructions prior to use.
Next, came the fun part: sleeping on the sheets for seven consecutive nights.
This step helped us evaluate breathability, cooling, and moisture-wicking capabilities.
We continued to test each sheet set for up to six months.
According to Thornburg, the best percale sheets start with high-quality, long-staple cotton.
The longer the fiber, the softer and more durable your sheets will be.
The most highly regarded cotton types like Egyptian and pima are both long-staple varieties.
Pima Cotton:Pima is super silky to the touch and regarded as one of the finest cotton types.
Its extra-long fibers also make it smooth and resistant to tears.
Accordingly, Supima cotton is known for having the most consistent fiber quality.
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Egyptian:Egyptian cotton is the same variety of pima cotton grown in Egypt.
Its also known for being incredibly smooth and resistant to wear and tear due to its long fabric fibers.
Thread Count
Thread count refers to the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric.
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Often a higher thread count is associated with quality better sheets, though that isnt necessarily the case.
A thread count between 200 and 400 is ideal for percale, Thornburg says.
This range offers the perfect balance of breathability, softness, and durability.
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A lower thread count often results in a lighter weight sheet, which some prefer for hot climates.
That said,thread counts are often inflated.
These certifications help ensure your sheets are truly sustainable and safe for your home, Thornburg says.
The first is theGlobal Organic Textile Standard(GOTS), which is one of the strictest certifications.
Sheets can also come with aFair Trade certification.
Fair Trade Certified ensures fair wages and safe working conditions for cotton farmers and factory workers, Thornburg says.
Questions You Might Ask
Are percale sheets better than cotton sheets?
Percale is cotton, but its a specific weave of cotton.
Rather than this being about one being better than the other, its about preference.
Percale’s plain weave gives it a crisp drape that’s less flowing than other weaves.
Why are percale sheets so expensive?
Any added certifications that follow rigorous environmental and ethical standards also contribute to the cost.
With proper care, these sheets can last for many years, further adding to their value.
For expert advice on how to shop for percale sheets, we spoke toWhitney Thornburg, design director atCoyuchi.
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