Hug Sleep’s Sleep Pod Move Is a Swaddling Blanket That Helps You Sleep Without the Added Weight

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with sleep.

I love long, leisurely rests in bed, cozy afternoon naps and spending as much time as possible snoozing in the morning before I have to get up and start the day. I despise tossing and turning all night as my mind races, fruitlessly begging for sleep to come.

I have found things that help, from practicing good sleep hygiene to taking magnesium supplements and using a super-comfy side-sleeper pillow and weighted blankets, and while I've been sleeping better than ever, I'm always looking for the next great thing to improve my sleep even further.

So when I stumbled onto Hug Sleep on Instagram, I was immediately intrigued. Their unique swaddling blanket, as seen on Shark Tank, looks a bit like an ultra-thin sleeping bag, and is designed to use compression to help you sleep like a baby. Of course, I had to reach out to the company, and was thrilled when they offered to send me their Sleep Pod Move for review. And after sleeping using Hug Sleep nightly for more than a month, I can say I have no plans to stop using it anytime soon.

The Brand

Hug Sleep makes stretchy compression blankets that cover the whole body and are designed to simulate the feeling of a hug. That may sound weird, but if you know anything about weighted blankets, you know that research supports the fact that this gentle pressure can support relaxation, and help people fall asleep faster while staying asleep longer.

So far, they have two main models: the Sleep Pod Classic and the Sleep Pod Move. Both are made in the U.S. from a polyester-lycra blend, and are machine-washable. The difference is that while the Sleep Pod Classic is closed at the foot, the Sleep Pod Move has an opening that allows you to let out your feet if they get too warm, or pull the blanket up over your legs so you can walk safely without taking it off, without any compromise to the swaddling function in the legs. In addition to the small, medium and large sizes of the Sleep Pod Classic, the Sleep Pod Move also has kid and tween sizes, as well as an Extra Large size accommodating anyone up to a 52-inch waist. Plus, if you're not satisfied after 30 nights, you can return or exchange it.

The Sleep Pod Classic sells for $69.99, while the Sleep Pod Move (which I was sent for review) currently retails at $79.99.

(via Hug Sleep)

 

The Sleep Pod Move

I was so excited when my Sleep Pod Move showed up in the mail, packaged in a big zipper baggie. As soon as I took it out, I was intrigued by the super stretchy, ultra-soft material, but I figured it would make sense to wait until bedtime to try it on in earnest.

When the time did come, putting it on was a breeze. I just had to sit at the side of the bed and put my feet in, like putting on a pair of pants, and slide it up to my waist. Then, I scooted onto the bed and pulled the rest of the blanket the rest of the way up, cocooning me up to my upper arms.

I have to admit that the compression on my upper body, especially at my shoulders and neck, felt strange at first, but the rest felt just right. Perhaps it's because I'm already used to the pressure of weighted blankets, but it took to adjustment for it to feel great against my legs and core, and I felt its relaxing effects straight away. I got my Sleep Pod Move in a Small and it fit just right, and while the material was stretchy, it rebounded for a feeling of gentle pressure all over my body.

Plus, the material is super breathable and lightweight, too. It's pretty cool where I live, and the average nightly temperature in my bedroom this summer has been about 60° F, even without any kind of air conditioning on, so this thin blanket isn't enough to keep me warm at night on its own, and I consider that a very good thing. It doesn't trap in much heat, making it equivalent to a top sheet, so I can layer it with my other typical blankets to get to just the right temperature. I imagine this is ideal for those who live in warm climates. And while this blanket can stand in for a weight blanket, I like to use my weighted blanket on top of the Sleep Pod Move for extra coziness.

But the most important thing is how it affects my sleep, and I can say that this thing has me sleeping like a baby. Being wrapped up like a mummy can be strangely comforting, and I indeed have been falling asleep more quickly and waking up less frequently. After a few uses, I even got used to pulling the blanket all the way up to my neck for maximum comfort.

Even better, the opening at the bottom of the blanket gives me options. Though I haven't yet consciously poked my feet out of the bottom because they got too warm, I have woken up to find my toes sticking out of the opening, perhaps after warming up a bit in my sleep. Plus, if I ever need to get up to use the bathroom or fetch something, I can just pop my feet out and do so. I've even worked at my desk with my feet swaddled and my arms poking out at the top, though that level of relaxation isn't always conducive to a super productive workday.

You might be wondering if the Sleep Pod Move is hard to get out off… not exactly, as it slides off even more easily than it went on. However, just like it can be difficult to get out of bed in the morning because you're so comfy, it can be tempting to refuse to leave your Hug Sleep blanket and just stay swaddled all day. Regardless, it's become my favorite new bedtime accessory, and I don't know if I could go without it.

(via Hug Sleep)

 

Bottom Line

The Hug Sleep has worked wonders for me, and I can hardly see myself going to sleep without being bundled up in it, and I think it will have the same benefits for others. While it's a little bit pricey, it's definitely less expensive than most of the weighted blankets on the market, plus it has a lot of the same benefits without the added weight or taking up all of that space. Aesthetically, it might look slightly weird, and it only comes in one dark heather grey color, but that's not very important when it comes to sleep. Of course, there are some people who this might not work for, particularly if you find the compression uncomfortable, or weighted blankets haven't worked for you in the past. However, with the money-back guarantee, it's probably worth giving it a shot to see for yourself.

 

Want to know what else is helping me sleep? Click HERE to find out more about my favorite weighted blanket brand, Bearaby.