It's true! I found that even am empty cotton duvet cover is too hot. It traps air between the layers and heats up like crazy.

Even though I always get 100% cotton ones, I find I'm hotter with the cover on.

I think down blankets must be the way to go, not only because they're washable, but also because if I'm not sleeping alone a full down comforter is just too hot, cover or not. I have too many comforters so I haven't actually bought a down blanket, but I wish I could. They had them at a great price at costco last time I checked.

I can relate to this. I love sleeping under my down comforters, thick in winter and a down blanket in summer, but the covers really change the experience. I only buy 100% cotton covers, and most have been really good quality, but it still seems to change how I sleep. Finally, a couple of years ago, I found a pretty flannel cover from Company Store that was called Velvet Flannel. In fact, after the first one I bought 2 more. They had some really nice prints and guaranteed it wouldn't pill. They are heavenly, soft as velvet and I use them without a top sheet. I was told that they'd been discontinued, but I just looked and they are available in solids only. They are, without a doubt, my favorite cover and sheets of all time. I think the flannel breathes more than other covers, so it doesn't interfere with the down.

I'd look for a 100% cotton in a fabric that you'd prefer for sheets and skip the top sheet, sleeping European style without one. If you like flannel (and even if you're skeptical about it), try the Company Store Velvet Flannel.

This post was edited by olychick on Fri, Dec 28, 12 at 14:35

We sleep under our down comforter with a cotton cover (the same kind of fabric as the sheets) and nothing else...no top sheet. The cover gets changed weekly with the rest of the linens, and the comforter is protected. My DH sleeps hot and I usually don't, and we are both comfortable as can be. If I do get too warm, I just stick a leg out until I'm comfy, and then back in again.

We think that the beauty of such a duvet is that you can turn the thermostat down a little more, since their insulating quality keeps you warm in a very cool room.

I have mine under a quilt so that I can easily wash the quilt but still have the down comforter.

A litle estrogen may help too.... ;)

I do the same as Kevin. I have a sheet, then a down comforter and then a quilt. I turn the thermostat down at night, and this combination works for me. I actually have been considering getting a cotton comforter cover, but maybe I'll rethink that according to this thread.

Thank you all for responding, it is good to know I am not the only one!

I have had down blankets, for some reason I did not like them as much. Maybe they weren't good ones.

We don't use top sheets at all.

I took the duvet cover off a couple of nights ago and I am now in love with the comforter again. :) DH needs a new one, so I am going to order the same one. He does not share blankets well so we each have our own.

I think I will just go with the down comforter and no cover or sheet. I will just wash it and deal with the fact that it might wear out sooner. It is so just yummy and comfy again that I think it is worth it.

Of course I got some crazy deal on the comforter when I bought it and now even with New Years sales it is $70 more than what I paid for it. OH well! Hopefully DH will love it as much as I do. :)

Of course now that I have a boring white comforter I have to order some pretty bottom sheets too :)

We had that problem too. The first cover that I bought for my down comforter was just too heavy and it became way too warm. So I found 2 very lightweight sheets and made my own cover. I liked it so much that I've made several of them but the trick is finding a good quality light weight sheet. The ones I like best were a Ralph Lauren tone on tone paisley. I've had so many compliments on it.

Boop, I love my Northern Nights down blankets. I have four of them and get them from www.QVC.com.