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It took me a while to admit that I’m a hot sleeper – and just as long to discover the magic of linen sheets. Known for their timelessness and effortlessly elegant look, linen sheets also happen to be exceptionally breathable and moisture-wicking (a literal breath of fresh air).
One of the other great things about linen sheets is that they’re temperature regulating, which means that their unique structure and composition keeps you cool when you’re sleeping hot (this is pretty much always the case for me, unfortunately) and warm when you’re sleeping cold. They’re designed for all seasons and all types of sleepers – which, I’ve learned the hard way, is not the case for most sheets!
So, in the spirit of not just finding a better night of sleep, but the best night of sleep, I took 3 best-selling linen sheet brands for a spin. I spent a month sleeping on sheets from Parachute, Brooklinen, and Boll & Branch, and landed on one favorite that I’m still sleeping on to this day. Read on for my winner…
The Players
Parachute: Parachute is known for its saturated hues and effortlessly rumpled texture that make any bed look as polished or undone as you’d like. The brand strikes an impressive balance between clean and California-inspired laid-back, with enduring quality its fans rave about.
Brooklinen: The goldilocks of bedding brands, Brooklinen is known for its simple bedding essentials that are thoughtful, high-quality, and priced fairly.
Boll & Branch: With an emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices, Boll & Branch produces premium bedding and linens using organic materials and fair trade practices.
Overall Comfort
Parachute: Linen sheets are known for requiring a ‘break-in’ period, but these sheets magically do not. They’re incredibly luxurious and soft from wash number one which is huge when it comes to linen bedding. And somehow, they get softer and softer over time thanks to the 100% European flax they’re made from (and the expert Portuguese craftspeople who make them!). These sheets have over 4,000 five-star reviews, and now I know why: they offer all of the upside of linen without the downside of having to endure some rough, scratchy nights to get there. From night one, my quality of sleep was markedly better when curled up in these sheets – that’s a huge win!
Brooklinen: Speaking of enduring a few scratchy nights…these sheets do become softer, but it took me a few washes to get there. By week four I was sleeping more comfortably in them (which, I’d like to reiterate, is normal for linen), but the first few weeks were a tough pill to swallow after enjoying the comfort of my Parachute sheets from the jump.
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Boll & Branch: Of the three, these sheets were the hardest for me to break in. I don’t doubt that they’re quality-made, but they didn’t get much softer over the time that I used them. Perhaps they need more washes – or, if you’re a true linen enthusiast, maybe these are what you’ve come to expect from the material – but they aren’t curl-up-in-them soft, at least not through the first several washes.
Winner: Parachute
Temperature Regulation
Parachute: Parachute’s naturally eco-friendly, antimicrobial, and insulating fabric is the real deal. I understood the appeal of linen from the first night I slept in these sheets. That’s not to say I was suddenly a new person or waking up in need of an additional blanket – I still run hot when I sleep, but I’ve had noticeably fewer nights waking up drenched in sweat. And that is nothing short of miraculous! I’ll also note that while I can’t speak to the running-cold-while-sleeping experience (I am so jealous), many of the thousands of positive reviews on Parachute’s site applaud the brand for helping them feel ~just right~ no matter the season.
Brooklinen: I’ll note that these sheets are noticeably thinner than the other sets, which may keep me a bit cooler, but I don’t necessarily see that as a ‘pro’ in the temperature regulation category. That means they’re less toasty, sure, but I don’t think they do much to wick away moisture in the way that Parachute’s sheets do.
Boll & Branch: I was definitely less warm during my month sleeping with Boll & Branch sheets. I’m not sure if that’s because these sheets were doing their job (likely) or less of the sheets were covering my body because they weren’t as soft as the other options (also likely), but a win is a win, and I definitely woke up feeling less sweaty under these sheets than I used to.
Winner: Parachute
Livability and Washability
Parachute: These sheets are quality-made and it shows. So many of the reviewers mention that they’ve had these sheets for 3-5 years and they’re still going strong. 1. That’s amazing, and 2. Especially when you note how easy they are to care for: you can machine wash and tumble dry them on low (with wool dryer balls is recommended). Plus, they don’t get super wrinkly, but instead maintain their integrity and become increasingly soft as you use them.
Brooklinen: Unfortunately the thinness I mentioned above comes back into play here. These sheets don’t seem to hold up over time very well (many reviews mention they get holes too quickly for their price). Additionally, they’re more susceptible to wrinkles, and the care instructions mention they may need to be ironed – something I don’t have the patience for when it comes to my sheets.
Boll & Branch: These sheets feel sturdy and like they’ll last a while. The only thing I’ll note here – and I haven’t had a drastic issue with this, but several reviewers have – is that they’re known for generating a tremendous amount of lint when dried. One reviewer has washed them 6-8 times, and they’ve filled her entire trap every time!
Winner: Parachute
Price
Parachute: I tried the Linen Sheet Set, which includes 1 flat sheet, the option to include a fitted sheet (I did), and 2 pillow cases (with an option to choose from a side open or back envelope). This set ranges from $289-$359 depending on the size of your bed.
Brooklinen: The Washed Linen Core Sheet Set includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillow cases for $220-$305.
Boll & Branch: The brand’s Linen Sheet Set also includes 1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet and 2 pillow cases and is a bit on the pricier side, ranging from $329-$419.
Winner: Brooklinen
Overall winner: Parachute
I was incredibly impressed by the look, feel, and easy-to-care-for nature of these sheets. I opted for this set from the night my throwdown test ended, and I’ve slept in them every night since. My sleep quality has never been better.
Not only do they keep me so much cooler (which, for the record, would have been enough!): they feel buttery-soft, look slouchy-chic in exactly the way I’ve always wanted my bed to look, and they’re easy to wash and don’t wrinkle. They’re an investment, sure, but one I cannot recommend enough. For hot sleepers, cold sleepers, anyone who sleeps: these sheets are absolutely dreamy!
