When hot summers arrive, it can make it difficult to sleep comfortably. This added heat can make the night unbearable for those who already sleep warm. Thankfully, there are some ways you might be able to cool down at night and slumber peacefully. One of the first things you can consider if you want to feel cooler when you sleep is if your sleepwear is made from the best fabric for summer pajamas. Pajamas for summertime need to be lighter and breathe better than winter ones.

Do your pajamas cause you to sweat at night?

Different materials breathe differently, with some doing more to conserve heat while others help to release it. If you think skipping the pajamas altogether will keep you cooler, you may be in for a surprise. The best pajamas for the summer can help to wick moisture away from your skin, allowing you to stay dry and cool. Inversely, heavy, non-breathable fabrics can trap moisture and heat against your skin, making you more uncomfortable. Wool and polyester are good examples of fabrics that tend to sleep hot and should be avoided on warm nights.

Best type of pajamas for the summer

Several fabrics and materials can help alleviate hot nights and sleep sweats. The fabrics listed below are some of the best pajama materials available. These materials may help sleepers stay cool during warm summers.

Linen

Linen is a natural fiber made from the flax plant and has been used for thousands of years. Pajamas made from linen tend to be breathable, absorbent and quick-drying. This fabric is also known for its quick drying properties and relative stiffness, which may help to keep it from clinging to your skin. Sleepers who suffer from night sweats may find linen helps keep them cool and dry.

Silk

Silk is a natural fiber derived from silkworms' cocoons and has been used for thousands of years. This fiber is known for being lightweight, moisture-wicking and breathable while also feeling incredibly soft against the skin. Silk may be one of the best cooling materials for natural temperature regulation, helping the body maintain a comfortable feel in various temperatures.

Tencel

Tencel is a form of Lyocell fabric and is a partially synthetic fiber derived from natural origins. This fabric is a type of rayon and is manufactured from wood pulp. As a result, it can be highly customizable when it comes to fiber length and texture. Tencel is a sustainable fabric that is naturally absorbent, breathable, soft and durable. Some even say that Tencel has anti-microbial properties. Tencel pajamas may help people to sleep cooler and dryer while maintaining soft comfort against the skin.

Cotton

Cotton is a natural plant fiber known for its lightweight breathability and soft, moisture-absorbing capabilities. This fabric is made from the seed coats of cotton seeds. Cotton pajamas are often soft and smooth against the skin, although less so than silk. Cotton is good at absorbing sweat from the skin while also allowing air to circulate through the fabric, helping to keep sleepers cooler at night.

Bamboo viscose

Viscose is a plant-based fiber made from the cellulose within bamboo. Viscose is technically a type of rayon fiber that is made by dissolving bamboo-based wood pulp. Viscose fabrics are good at moisture-wicking and tend to be lightweight, breathable and soft. Pajamas made from Viscose may keep sleepers cooler at night while also helping to wick sweat away. These fabrics are smooth to the touch and generally feel lightweight on the body, making them one of the best materials for summer pajamas.

Sleep cool this summer with the right materials

When it comes to summer sleepwear, there are many options to choose from. The best cooling pajamas for bedtime will be lightweight and breathable, but there is still much room for preference. Beyond sleepwear, however, there are a few other strategies you can employ for cool summer sleeping. If you use a comforter, you might swap it for a comforter with cooling properties. Likewise, you can find cooling sheets and even cooling pillows to help stave away the heat of a hot summer night.

If nothing else, though, make sure that your pajamas are suited to your comfort and environment. For hot summers, this means making sure your sleepwear is thin, lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, flowy and loose. Ensuring your pajamas match these characteristics can help you stay cool and comfortable even when trying to sleep through the peak of summer heat without air conditioning.