Quilts are a different construction from duvets — they are typically thinner, often stitched through rather than filled with loose fill, and can be made from a wider variety of materials. For hot sleepers this can make them a better option than duvets in some cases.
Why Quilts Can Work Better Than Duvets for Hot Sleepers
Traditional quilts are made from cotton or wool batting sandwiched between two layers of fabric and stitched through in a pattern. The thinner construction and through-stitching means less lofted fill trapping air. A lightweight summer quilt can be significantly less insulating than even a low-tog duvet because there is simply less fill to trap heat.
What to Look for in a Hot Sleeper Quilt
Lightweight construction with minimal fill. Cotton or wool batting rather than polyester. Breathable outer fabric in percale or linen. Low weight overall, under 1kg for queen size. Through-stitched construction that keeps the fill flat and minimal.
The Limitations of Quilts for Hot Sleepers
Even a lightweight quilt is fundamentally an insulating product. The outer fabric reflects some heat back regardless of how light the fill is. A quilt is a better choice than a heavy duvet for hot sleepers but still not as thermally effective as a nylon cooling blanket that actively draws heat away rather than simply reducing the insulation.
The Better Alternative
For significant hot sleepers a lightweight nylon cooling blanket outperforms any quilt for sustained overnight cooling. The Stillwell Cloud draws heat away from your skin rather than simply insulating less. This is a fundamentally different mechanism. See The Cloud here.