The struggle is real for hot sleepers like me; I can hardly go a night without tossing, turning, and waking up too warm. That’s why the Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set initially caught my eye. This set of percale sheets came with many promises: comfort, breathability, a “cool yet cozy” sleep. Of course, I want all these things, but my solution has typically been cranking the fan overnight. Could a set of sheets really be the answer to sleeping not just better, but cooler? I spent a week sleeping on the Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set to find out.
Material and Thread Count: 100 percent cotton, 200 thread count
The Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set is made of 100 percent cotton and is Oeko-Tex certified. Essentially, this means the set is free of 100 of the most common—and harmful—chemicals and synthetic materials introduced in production. This is a major plus for those with sensitive skin. The only color option for these sheets is white but fortunately, they matched my bedding. Right out of the pack, the sheets felt soft to the touch. While it’s a myth that thread count is the only way to judge bedding, it does come in handy when deciding between dozens of high-thread-count sheets. The Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set is at the lower end with a thread count of 200 (the number usually ranges from 150 to 1,000). That said, I hardly felt a difference between these sheets and higher-thread-count sheets like the 300-count bedding at W Hotels.
Weave: Cozy percale
Percale sheets are known for being crisp and cool, and these sheets were just that—at first. But, unlike some of the high-end percale sheets I’ve tried, these didn’t keep me cool all night. On my second night testing out the Threshold set, I woke up around 1 AM and had to change from a T-shirt to a tank top—despite running my fan on high. In the nights following, the sheets did keep me relatively cool, but I never tested my luck with a T-shirt again. After a week, I can say I was mostly satisfied with the lightweight comfort of the Threshold set, but they did leave a bit of breathability to be desired (and prompted me to purchase some cooling sheets!).
Fit: Better than expected
I usually need help putting new sheets on the bed because I waste at least 10 minutes trying to figure out which side goes where. The Threshold set fixes that, though—and not just because it fits perfectly on my Queen-size bed. The sheets actually have a sewn-in label that tells you which side is the top and which is the bottom. It’s amazing how much time this tiny tag saved me. Meanwhile, the pillowcases slip on just like normal (from the side) and the top sheet was wide and roomy—which I gladly accepted given I’m often accused of being a “cover stealer.”
Washing: Machine washable
The Threshold set was easy to clean. The sheets are machine washable and the manufacturer suggests tumble drying them. One thing I did notice with these sheets was that after removing them from the dryer, they were beyond wrinkled. I sat by the dryer and waited for the timer to go off—just to make sure I folded them while they were fresh—and even so, the sheets came out a wrinkled mess. Did I care? Not particularly. But if you’re of the “I iron everything—even my jeans!” ilk, you may be more concerned.
Price: An affordable percale option
At around $40 for a Queen-size set, Threshold’s vintage wash sheets are a budget-friendly percale option. Of course, you get what you pay for when it comes to any kind of sheet set. Higher-priced sheets may be cooler with higher thread counts, but these sheets do the trick for sleepers who want to refresh their room while sticking to a budget.
Competition: Plentiful percale options
Pinzon 300 Thread Count Percale Cotton Sheet Set: Pinzon’s percale sheets deliver a higher thread count at a similar $40 price point (for a Queen set). Knowing thread count isn’t always indicative of sheet quality, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better, though. Pinzon’s sheets are made of 100 percent cotton, but the manufacturer doesn’t mention organic or Oeko-Tex certification. The set is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes as well as a variety of colors from ivory and white to dusty blue and graphite. Feather & Stitch 300 Thread Count Cotton Sheet Set: The Feather & Stitch percale sheets have a 300 thread count and price point that’s pretty on par with Threshold. The sheets are made of 100 percent cotton and are promised to get softer with each wash. Available color options are significantly more busy than the white Threshold sheets; they include paisley, striped, and diamond patterns. The Threshold Vintage Wash Solid Sheet Set isn’t perfect, but it’s an affordable way to refresh your space.
