Velour or fleece – which really keeps you warm?
Teilen
Nicki and Fleece are in the same price range, both promise warmth and both are made of 100% polyester. Nevertheless, they feel completely different in bed. Whether Nicki or Fleece is the better choice for you therefore depends less on the label than on how cool your bedroom is, how quickly you start to sweat under the covers – and who is sleeping in that bed.
What really matters for the feeling of warmth
The surface. Nicki has a short-shorn, velvety soft pile. It lies close and evenly on the fabric and ensures that the bedding feels warm immediately upon getting in – there is simply no cool moment when pulling up the covers. Fleece, on the other hand, is brushed: The surface is fluffier, but less even, and it traps air instead of just holding it against the skin.
The air in the fabric. It is exactly this trapped air that provides warmth. Thermo-fleece is densely woven and therefore very warm, but remains feather-light. Nicki warms more through the surface than through volume: noticeable immediately, but not quite as insulating as a dense fleece in a really cold bedroom.
The handling of moisture. Both qualities are made of polyester and absorb hardly any moisture. For dry sleepers, this is an advantage: The bedding retains its shape and dries very quickly after washing. However, those who sweat heavily at night will notice exactly the opposite – moisture is not temporarily stored in the fiber, but remains on the skin. For these sleepers, a cotton quality is the more honest recommendation.
Weight and feel. Nicki feels fuller and heavier in hand – our Nicki bedding weighs around 150 g/m². Fleece is lighter and therefore easier to pull over the duvet, which is particularly practical in children's beds and guest beds.
Nicki or Fleece: the direct comparison
| Quality | Properties | Ideal for | Price range (set) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicki (Castell) | Short-shorn, velvety pile; immediately warm feeling on the skin; approx. 150 g/m²; 100% polyester; washable at 40 °C | Everyone for whom pulling up the covers feels too cold; velvety look in the bedroom | €27.95 (135×200) to €32.95 (155×220) |
| Thermo-Fleece (Castell) | Densely woven, very warm, feather-light, quick-drying, shape-retaining; 100% polyester; washable at 40 °C | Cool bedrooms, frostbite, nights with the heating turned down | €27.95 (135×200) to €32.95 (155×220) |
| Polar-Fleece (Castell) | Light, brushed surface, warms immediately, dries quickly, no ironing needed; 100% polyester | Children's beds, frequent washing, second set | from €20.95 (135×200) |
| Flannel / Fine Flannel (natural fiber alternative) | 100% cotton, brushed surface, absorbs moisture; biberna Flannel with 160 g/m² | Sleepers who sweat at night or prefer natural fibers | from €25.95 (Fine Flannel); Melange flannel from €49.95 |
Which quality is right for you?
You get cold above all in the first few minutes under the covers. Then Nicki is the right choice. The velvety pile returns warmth immediately, instead of having to build it up first. A good entry point is the Castell Nicki bedding in pigeon blue (item no. 0380339) from €27.95 – calm longitudinal stripes that also suit patterned bedrooms. Those who like it more graphic will find the same feeling of warmth with the Nicki bedding block check in yellow (0380750) in a clear checkerboard design.
Your bedroom is permanently cool. If the heating is off at night or the room faces north, fleece wins. Castell Thermo-Fleece in ochre (0360745) from €27.95 is densely woven and holds the warmth throughout the night, without the duvet feeling heavy.
It is for a children's bed. Here, weight, frequency of washing, and drying time count more than anything else. The light Castell Polar-Fleece with Panda design (0330250) from €20.95 is quickly ready to use again after washing and needs no iron.
You sweat at night. Then neither Nicki nor Fleece is the best solution. Instead, opt for a cotton quality from the Flannel collection: Fine Flannel is available from €25.95, our biberna Flannel weighs 160 g/m² and absorbs moisture, instead of leaving it on the skin.
What is often overlooked when buying
The sizes. We offer Nicki and Thermo-Fleece in 135×200 cm and 155×220 cm, each with a matching pillowcase 80×80 cm. Polar-Fleece is designed for 135×200 cm. Those who cover an oversized bed should check this before ordering – a set cannot be stretched afterwards.
The care. Both qualities are washed at 40 °C, not at 60 °C. Ironing is neither necessary nor sensible: heat flattens the pile on Nicki and damages the brushed fleece surface. You can do without fabric softener – the softness comes from the surface structure in both, not from an additive.
The durability. Nicki retains its pile even after many washes, Thermo-Fleece remains shape-retaining. This is the real difference between a Castell quality and very cheap goods from the discount shelf: the latter visibly loses its surface after a few washes.
The sleep climate around it. Synthetic fibers react more noticeably to dry heated air than cotton. A humidity of about 40 to 60 percent in the bedroom makes the difference – regular airing is the simplest measure here.
We deliver all qualities from our Nicki collection and the Fleece collection free of charge within Germany – without a minimum order value.
Frequently asked questions about Nicki and Fleece
What warms more – Nicki or Fleece?
In a permanently cool bedroom, a dense Thermo-Fleece warms more strongly throughout the night because it traps more air. Nicki feels warmer in the first moment because the velvety pile lies directly on the skin. Those looking for immediate warmth take Nicki; those who want constant warmth until morning take Fleece.
Is Nicki the same as Fleece?
No. Both are made of polyester, but differ in the surface: Nicki has a short-shorn, even pile and looks velvety, Fleece is brushed and fluffy. That is why we offer both as separate qualities in the shop.
At what temperature do I wash Nicki and Fleece?
Both qualities are designed for 40 °C. Higher temperatures bring no advantage, but stress the surface. Dry the laundry gently or in the air – polyester is dry after a short time anyway.
Do you have to iron Nicki or Fleece?
No, ironing is not necessary for either. For Fleece, we even expressly advise against it, because the brushed surface suffers under the hot iron.
Are Nicki and Fleece suitable for children's beds?
Yes, especially Polar-Fleece: It is light, dries quickly, and needs no iron – practical when the bedding has to go into the machine more often. Pay attention to the available size, children's designs are available from us in 135×200 cm.
What is the alternative if I sweat under synthetic fibers?
A brushed cotton quality. Fine Biber Flannel and Flannel also warm through a brushed surface, but absorb moisture – with biberna in original quality from the inventor of Biber bedding (brushed cotton flannel). You can find an entry point in the Flannel collection.