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Parachute Percale Sheets Review

Parachute Percale Sheets Review
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Sleeping is something I’m just… not good at. I’m a hot sleeper, a light sleeper, slightly insomniac at times, and I never know if having my partner over is going to make my sleep better or worse.

So sheets are tasked with doing some crazy heavy lifting over here.

When I saw these Percale sheets from Parachute were 100% cotton, I got beyond excited.

And after spending the better part of a week sleeping on them every night, I have thoughts. Here they are.

The Quick Version

Parachute Percale Sheets Review

These Parachute Percale sheets didn’t sweep me off my feet on night one (I am sensitive to fabrics, and they took some getting used to.) But after a short adjustment period, I realized they’re some of the lightest, most breathable sheets I’ve ever slept on. If you’re a hot sleeper or prefer your sheets crisp, not silky, these 100% cotton sheets might be worth the splurge. They definitely helped me sleep better, especially in the Southern heat. 

First Impression

When I opened the package, I was impressed. Nothing hits quite like a fresh, clean white sheet set. They looked pretty high quality, with that promising “100% cotton” label. I received the percale sheet bundle that includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two envelope pillowcases. As a side note, I’ve never used this particular type of pillowcase, and it seems way more effective than the open-side ones I typically use.

Now, it may be because of my tax bracket, but I was formerly unaware of what “percale” even was, and I didn’t know until I sat down to write this review that it was actually a method of weaving rather than just a fancy random name.

I’m a person with sensory issues. What I consider to be “bad fabrics” are my own personal hell. Certain microfiber sheets give me the biggest ick in the world. They feel sticky and cause me to sweat in my sleep and generally, to be frank, piss me off.

I’ve switched to bamboo sheets after sleeping on them at a friend’s and promptly threw the rest of my sheets in the trash. That’s how serious this is to me.

That being said, I did notice that they were a more “crisp,” starchy vibe than a silky-smooth vibe I’ve been accustomed to. Now, they don’t have to be super soft; they just have to be breathable. Time to put ’em through the wash and see if that helps.

Night One

After washing them, I put them on my bed and got ready for a good night’s sleep.

Okay, I will be honest here. I had my partner over and we both were like “oh… ” They were a little starchy and crisp, rather than silky. Especially compared to the bamboo sheets I’ve been sleeping on, they felt like more of a starchy hotel sheet. Totally some people’s vibe, but, like I told you earlier, I’m really sensitive and particular.

But they were certainly preferable to any microfiber or *shudders* polyester sheets I’ve had the displeasure of spending a night on. While they weren’t the silkiest sheets I’ve ever slept on, I did make it through the night sleeping soundly, and my partner didn’t leave under the cover of night.

I know all of this sounds a bit dramatic, but I had high hopes for these sheets. And for the moment, I wasn’t quite used to them. But I remained hopeful that it would be better, as there was some quality about them that made me feel like I would come around to them.

They Grew On Me!

Yes, a weird sentence, I know.

The first night was an adjustment, but the second was much, much better. The sheets felt decidedly light and almost refreshing, if that makes sense. In fact, they’re probably the lightest sheets I’ve ever used, even taking my bamboo ones into consideration.

There’s a reason cotton underwear and cotton fabrics are always recommended in clothing. The natural fibers ensure no allergic reactions will happen, and cotton is famously a breathable fabric. While I didn’t initially feel like I was being swaddled by a thousand soft, fluffy clouds, I started to feel incredibly comfortable when I lay down to sleep at night. Almost like I was sleeping, how I’m supposed to sleep.

With some sheets I’ve slept on, I’ve woken up itchy and irritated. I’ve broken out, had my hair all messed up, all sorts of nonsense. But with these 100% cotton sheets, I’m experiencing nothing of the sort. I’m just getting a good night’s sleep every night.

After looking into percale (again, a totally new concept to me), I see that they soften even more with every wash, without pilling or falling apart. That’s a huge selling point for me as I look over at my folded bamboo sheets that already have some tiny holes forming from my cat, that likes to use them as a scratching post. 

The Coolest Sheets I’ve Ever Slept On

Listen, I live in the Southern United States. It gets hot as hell here. As early as March and as late as October, I have the air conditioner blasting and the fan on high. And it only gets worse in my sleep, no matter how lightweight my comforter is or if I sleep with the comforter all the way off.

Now, my optometrist told me to sleep with the fan off to see if it fixed my chronic red eyes. Before these sheets, I never would have dreamed of that. After a couple of nights in these sheets with no discernible beads of sweat forming on my brow and being able to turn the AC up one or two whole degrees (a huge accomplishment, seriously), I decided to try it. And I sit before you a woman who slept comfortably with the fan off for the first time in YEARS.

Did I turn the fan on the first thing when I woke up? Absolutely. Can I promise that, come August, I will continue to sleep with the fan off? Surely not. But I’ve never sweated less or felt more comfortable with my body temperature than I have sleeping on these sheets. And to me, that’s worth it.

Okay, Now for the Tough Part

For some of us on tighter budgets, the price tag is a bit of a jumpscare. $269 for a sheet set is not something I can often justify with my other financial obligations vs. my income. And priced individually, if you buy the fitted sheet ($120), flat top sheet ($110), and pillowcase set ($69), you’re looking at $300 for some sheets. Certainly not the most expensive sheets on the market, but definitely a more “premium” price point than Target. 

And again, they did take some getting used to. Now that I’m used to them, I do think they’re worth it. But the sticker shock is understandable, especially on your first night sleeping on them (percale lovers, please don’t come for me, I get it now!)

For a luxury consumer looking for the coolest night of sleep ever (and heck, maybe even save a bit of cash on their energy bills), yeah, I say go for it. I am glad these sheets are in my life, at the end of the day, and who am I to tell you what to spend your money on? The sheets are good, man.

Pros

  • 100% organic long-staple cotton means they’re sustainably made 
  • Easily the most breathable sheets I’ve ever slept on 
  • Percale means they’ll last through the years without pilling or wearing down
  • They get softer the more you use them/wash them
  • Even lighter than bamboo sheets, they feel almost airy once broken in.
  • Let me sleep without a fan in the Southern heat, which is seriously impressive.
  • No irritation or breakouts; a big win for anyone with sensitive skin or sensory issues; they didn’t cause itching, breakouts, or sleep disruption.

Cons

  • More crisp than soft; not everyone’s favorite
  • On the pricier side, not great for folks on a tight budget
  • Could be an adjustment period to get used to if you’ve mostly used microfiber sheets

Other Parachute Sheet Info

Interested in other Parachute sheets? They have a bunch of different options, including other fabrics, colors, and types of sheets (duvet sets, etc.)

The fabrics you can get Parachute sheets in are:

  • Percale
  • Linen
  • Brushed cotton
  • Sateen
  • Tencel Linen

The colors you can get their sheets in include:

  • White
  • Cream
  • Bone (grey-ish white)
  • Butter
  • Light grey
  • Haze (rosy blush)
  • Adobe (tan)
  • Sage
  • Moss
  • Agave (teal-ish green)
  • Java
  • Slate

Alternatives

Want other percale sheet options? Check these out:

Final Thoughts on the Parachute Percale Sheets

At the end of the day, I would (and have, and will) sleep on these Parachute sheets again.

Am I a percale girlie for life? Afraid not. Am I now curious to see if I would vibe better with their other offerings in linen, brushed cotton, sateen, or Tencel? Yeah, actually I am. These people seem to know what’s up when it comes to fabrics, and I trust that I would love one of their other offerings.

The benefits are real. If I had some type of sleep tracker, I bet it would tell you I’m getting more restful sleep. And for all of my bellyaching about them not being the softest sheets I’ve ever used, the results do seem to speak for themselves. 

I do like the sheets, and I will continue to use them in my rotation, especially during these warm summer months. I cannot express to you how incredible it is to feel my body temperature so regulated at night. Parachute sheets, I’m sorry I ever doubted you.