Simba Hybrid Duvet review

Sleep quality can be dramatically affected by your choice of duvet, particularly if you tend to overheat at night or share a bed with someone who sleeps at a different temperature to you. The Simba Hybrid Duvet aims to address these common issues with its dual-sided design and temperature-regulating technology. But at £199 for a double (at full RRP), it’s considerably more expensive than many synthetic alternatives on the market. The question is: does its performance warrant the premium price?

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Features

The Simba Hybrid Duvet combines practical design with advanced temperature regulation technology to create a versatile bedding solution suitable for year-round use. This 10.5 tog duvet offers several noteworthy features that set it apart from standard options on the market.

Material Composition and Design

The duvet is filled with Simba Renew Bio, a down-like material made from recycled plastic bottle fibres that have been combed into airy layers. This filling provides lightweight warmth while allowing air to flow through the duvet, helping to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.

The outer cover features two distinct sides: one made from cotton with Stratos® technology and the other from plain cotton. Both sides are designed to support breathability, with the Stratos® side offering additional cooling properties.

To prevent the filling from shifting or clumping, the duvet features square stitching throughout. This practical design element ensures even warmth distribution across the entire surface. The duvet also includes thoughtful details such as a QR code label for easy access to care and recycling advice, and a foot-end label to help with orientation when making the bed.

Temperature Regulation Technology

Stratos ‘Cool-Touch’ Technology

One of the standout features of the Hybrid Duvet is the Stratos technology integrated into one side of the cotton cover. This phase change technology works by absorbing excess body heat when you’re too warm and releasing it when you’re too cool – functioning somewhat like a thermostat for your bedding.

The Stratos side is easily identified by blue piping along the edges, indicating the “cool side” of the duvet. This technology is particularly beneficial for those who tend to overheat during sleep, offering immediate tangible coolness upon contact.

Practical Benefits

The Hybrid Duvet offers several practical advantages:

• Machine washable at 40°C with mild detergent
• Can be tumble dried on a low heat setting
• Dries relatively quickly due to the lightweight nature of the filling
• Comes with a free reusable storage bag
• Available in Single, Double, King Size and Super King Size dimensions

Sustainability Credentials

Simba highlights its commitment to sustainability through several initiatives:

• The use of Simba Renew Bio filling incorporates recycled plastic bottle fibres
• Simba is certified as a B Corp, balancing profit with positive social and environmental impact
• Membership in Better Cotton, supporting sustainable cotton production
• Products are suitable for recycling or refurbishment

The duvet is designed to provide consistent comfort throughout the year with its 10.5 tog rating, making it warm enough for colder nights while the breathable materials and cooling technology help prevent overheating during warmer periods.

With its combination of practical features and temperature regulation technology, the Simba Hybrid Duvet aims to address common sleep discomfort issues while offering a sustainable bedding option that works effectively year-round.

Unboxing / Design

Upon arrival, the Simba Hybrid Duvet comes neatly packed in a reusable storage bag, which is a practical touch that immediately sets it apart from many competitors. The bag opens fully, making it remarkably easy to store the duvet when not in use or when travelling – no wrestling required.

The duvet itself has a premium look and feel. It’s noticeably thicker than many standard duvets, giving it that plush, hotel-quality appearance that many people seek. The square stitching pattern not only looks smart but serves the practical purpose of keeping the filling evenly distributed.

One design element that might divide opinion is the bright blue piping around the edges. While this serves the useful purpose of identifying which side has the cooling Stratos technology, it can be visible through lighter-coloured duvet covers. If you prefer an all-white aesthetic for your bedding, this might be a minor annoyance.

The duvet has a substantial feel without being overly heavy – it drapes nicely on the bed and creates that inviting, cloud-like appearance that makes you want to dive right in. The quality of construction is evident, with neat stitching and durable-feeling materials throughout.

How does it perform vs a feather duvet

Comparing the Simba Hybrid Duvet to traditional feather duvets reveals some interesting differences in performance and feel.

Warmth and weight: The Hybrid Duvet offers a good balance of warmth without excessive weight. Unlike some feather duvets that can feel heavy yet still allow cold spots, the Simba provides consistent warmth across its entire surface. However, those who prefer the distinctive weight and natural drape of feather duvets might find the Simba feels slightly different – it’s plush but in a more structured way.

Loft and volume: The Simba Hybrid Duvet has impressive loft, appearing almost twice as thick as some standard feather duvets. This gives it that luxurious hotel-bed appearance. However, the synthetic filling means it doesn’t have quite the same natural bounce and recovery as high-quality down.

Temperature regulation: This is where the Simba offers a distinct advantage for many sleepers. While good quality feather duvets can be naturally breathable, they don’t actively cool like the Stratos side of the Hybrid Duvet. For hot sleepers, this technology might provide better temperature control than even the most expensive natural fill duvets. I am not 100% convinced about the active cooling technologies many companies claim, but it is highly subjective and I can’t say for certain how much of an effect they have.

Allergen considerations: The Simba Hybrid Duvet is fully hypoallergenic, making it suitable for those with allergies to feathers or dust mites that can accumulate in natural fill duvets. This, combined with its machine washability, gives it a significant edge for allergy sufferers and considering the number of people with allergies I know, I’d say this is one of the main selling points, you can get similar heat regulation as a good quality feather duvet but without the allergies.

Sustainability and ethics: While feather duvets use animal products (though often as a by-product of the food industry), the Simba uses recycled materials, which may appeal to those with environmental or ethical concerns about using animal products.

Longevity: High-quality feather duvets can last many years with proper care, sometimes a decade or more. It’s too early to say whether the Simba will match this longevity, though synthetic duvets typically don’t last quite as long as premium natural fill options.

In essence, the Simba Hybrid Duvet offers many of the luxurious aspects of a good feather duvet – warmth, comfort, and plushness – while addressing some of the common drawbacks like allergies and uneven warmth distribution. However, it doesn’t perfectly replicate the distinctive feel of natural down, which some sleepers may prefer.

Sleep Experience

After several weeks of testing the Simba Hybrid Duvet across different room temperatures and seasons, I’ve found its performance to be generally impressive, though with some caveats.

The dual-sided design genuinely works – there is a noticeable difference in how the Stratos side feels compared to the cotton side. On warmer nights, flipping to the cooling side provided immediate relief, with the surface feeling cool to the touch. This cooling effect doesn’t last all night, but it does help with the initial settling down period when overheating can be most problematic.

The 10.5 tog rating strikes a good balance for year-round use in typical British homes. It’s warm enough for standard winter temperatures while not being stifling during milder weather. That being said, it has been very warm recently and the 10.5 tog rating is too hot for me when my bedroom is over 20 degrees

One of the most impressive aspects is the even distribution of warmth. The square stitching effectively prevents cold spots from forming, and the filling stays in place well even after multiple uses and washes. This consistent coverage is something that cheaper synthetic duvets often fail to maintain over time.

While I am personally a fan of weighted duvets, this duvet has a pleasant enough weight to it – substantial enough to feel cosy and enveloping without being heavy or restrictive. It drapes nicely over the body, creating that comforting cocoon effect that helps promote good sleep.

For couples with different temperature preferences, the Simba offers a decent compromise. The person who sleeps hotter can use the Stratos side, while their partner can use the cotton side. However, this is only effective if you use individual duvet covers or no cover at all – once you put a standard duvet cover over it, the distinction between sides becomes less pronounced.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The machine washability of the Simba Hybrid Duvet is one of its strongest practical advantages. Being able to wash at 40°C means you can effectively remove allergens, dust mites, and general grime that accumulates over time.

After washing, the duvet retains its loft and evenness well, with no noticeable clumping of the filling. It does take some time to dry thoroughly due to its thickness, but less time than many natural fill duvets. The ability to tumble dry on a low setting is convenient, though air drying is also effective if you have the space.

The durability of the materials seems good after multiple washes, with no signs of the stitching coming loose or the filling breaking down. This suggests the duvet should maintain its performance over several years with proper care.

Price and Alternative Options

The Simba Hybrid Duvet is available with an RRP of:

• Single: £139
• Double: £199
• King: £249
• Super King: £259

They also have the Hybrid 3-in-1 and the Summer Hybrid. The 3-in-1 combines a 10.5 tog duvet with a 3.5 tog summer duvet, giving you year-round comfort. The Summer Hybrid is a 4.5 tog duvet.

For a King, the 3-in-1 is £399 RRP and the Summer Hybrid is £219.

Overall

The Simba Hybrid Duvet is a well-designed, comfortable duvet that delivers on many of its promises. The temperature-regulating technology does make a moderate subjective difference, the construction quality is excellent, and the practical benefits of being machine washable and hypoallergenic add significant value.

However, the premium price point is difficult to justify based solely on the materials used. While the recycled polyester filling is environmentally friendly and performs well, it’s still fundamentally a synthetic duvet at a price point that approaches good-quality natural fill options. There is also a strong argument that duvets with natural fillings perform better for heat regulation, but I wouldn’t say my goose down duvet performs better than this.

For those who struggle with overheating at night or have specific requirements around allergies and washability, the Simba might well be worth the investment, particularly if you can purchase it during a sale. For others, there are more affordable synthetic options or similarly priced natural fill duvets that might offer better value.

The Simba Hybrid Duvet is undoubtedly comfortable and well-made, but whether it’s worth the premium price will depend on your specific sleep needs and budget considerations. If temperature regulation is your primary concern and you’re willing to invest in your sleep quality, it’s a solid, if expensive, option.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.