I Wasn’t a Fan of Percale Sheets — Then I Fell For This Surprisingly Soft Set

I test home products for a living, so I definitely have strong opinions about bed sheets. If I had to pick a favorite (which isn’t easy), I’d have to go with either jersey or sateen sheets. The former feel like my old broken-in T-shirts, and the latter have a buttery softness to them. The best part is that usually they arrive already feeling like that!

On the other hand, there are a few kinds of sheets that I normally steer clear of. I’ve never been a fan of those crisp percale ones that you’re likely to find in fancy hotels. I know some people actually prefer the feel of them to the supersoft ones that I like — there are some definite pros going for them, like extra durability and breathability — but until recently I couldn’t find a cotton percale set that I truly loved.

But Coop Sleep Goods, one of my favorite bedding brands, changed my mind on the material with its Comphy Percale Sheet Set. And guess what? It’s 20% off during Sleep Week!

As it happens, one of the first sheet sets I tested when I started at Apartment Therapy came from Coop. I’ve held onto it ever since, and I’m planning on using it again in a couple of months when I need to fight off the boiling New York City heat (I’ll pair it with the brand’s cooling blanket, which I also love).

Coming with a flat and fitted sheet and two pillowcases, the Comphy Percale Sheets are even more versatile than my older set, although they still offer a subtle coolness that feels refreshing underneath your covers. The sheets are designed to feel like they came straight out of a hotel and into your home. Made of premium single-ply cotton from southern India, the OEKO-TEX-certified sheets get softer the more you wash them — and they’re also built to last. 

What makes percale different is its feel, look, and long-lasting construction, which can be traced to the way its yarns are woven. It uses a plain weave (one-over-one-under), which means that more of the threads overlap, giving it its strength and matte appearance. It also contributes to its breathability and airiness. The end result is bedding that feels like a button-down shirt. (Whereas something like sateen, with its four-over-one-under weave, is usually shiny and silky. It’s also more suited to cool sleepers.)

First off, I have truly put these sheets to the test. After tearing my Achilles tendon and getting surgery on it last September, I spent a lot of time in bed (as one does when they can only walk on crutches). But even while I was lying down, it wasn’t easy to get comfortable underneath my covers while my leg was out of commission. My grandma, who stayed in my apartment with me while I just started recovering, helped me out by remaking my bed so that it was as comfortable as possible. 

These sheets were the first thing she washed and put on my bed for me. The deep pockets made it so she had no trouble, and I haven’t either in the times that I’ve put them on my bed since. They also never budge, and I tossed and turned a lot while I was recovering from my injury. As much as I usually prefer something like jersey over percale, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Coop’s set right out of the gate. The other percale set I’ve owned before always felt too stiff and scratchy, but this one was impressively smooth from the outset.

It was a bit crinkly and thinner than I’m used to, but I didn’t find myself really minding during my first use, and the crinkliness has only lessened over time. Plus, even though they aren’t that thick, they’ve held up better than some others I’ve owned. There’s not a single sign of wear, including piling, which I’ve noticed sometimes with jersey sheets. Also, the set feels lightweight underneath my comforter — a welcome change from my heftier jersey and sateen sheets when my apartment gets stuffy. (I will say that they aren’t the coolest sheets I’ve ever tried, although I think that gives them greater year-round versatility.)

This crisp-yet-soft set makes my bed feel light and luxurious, so whether you’re a percale devotee or not, I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a low-lift, all-season set that’ll spruce up their bed. It’s especially great for the spring’s transitional weather! Just keep in mind that Coop’s Sleep Week sale ends on Saturday, March 15.

Buy: Comphy Percale Sheet Set, Queen, $127.20 (normally $159)