The most luxurious visits with the Sandman have been associated with high-thread count linens that are dreamily smooth to the touch. One company has come out from under the covers to challenge that assumption and encourage comfort-seekers to switch from sheets to SHEEX.

The SHEEX credo is that traditional cotton sheets, far from promoting good sleep, are a bit of a nightmare. Susan Walvius and Michelle Marciniak, company founders and former collegiate basketball players and coaches, were inspired by a pair of shorts fashioned from a fabric that was so comfortable that one of the founders wanted to sleep in it. An idea was born, and Susan and Michelle took their motivation, drive and competitive nature from the basketball court to the business world.

“Five years ago, I wouldn’t have thought of putting our athletes in anything but cotton,” explains co-founder Susan Walvius. “But today, elite athletes wear only the latest performance fabrics. It makes perfect sense to introduce the finest of these fabrics to bedding.”

Brad Petit, Chief Research Officer for the company, sums up the SHEEX advantage: “We try to simplify things by getting to the heart of the matter – the actual benefits of the fabric. Our sheets and pillowcases offer enhanced breathability, heat transport, moisture management, four-way stretch and softness when compared to cotton.”

• The company was founded in 2007, with the product reaching the market in 2009 after two years of research and development
• Sheet sets range from $200 for twin to $295 for king
• Independently-conducted research at the North Carolina State University Center for Research on Textile Protection and Comfort has confirmed the advantages of SHEEX in maintaining thermal comfort during sleep

The fabric’s SLEEP•FIT technology boasts a number of features that differentiate it from traditional bedding: breathability is improved by 50%, while body heat is transferred twice as effectively. For sweaty athletes, the sheets dry three times quicker than cotton competitors, wicking moisture away from skin.

Challenging cotton and high thread counts as the industry standards is no small undertaking, but the founders of SHEEX feel that their product speaks for itself. As Petit puts it, “everyone who has used SHEEX has become a believer.” When it comes to improving sleep and consequently improving athletic performance, SHEEX is a winner.

In a tribute to the company’s athletic inspiration, the bedding was included in the gift bags distributed at the 2009 ESPY awards, acquainting athletes, celebrities, presenters and VIPs with the unique benefits of the product.

But, SHEEX is not just for athletes, Petit points out. Anyone who is interested in overall wellness and the advantages of high-quality sleep might consider purchasing a set of SHEEX – “the same benefits apply to everyone.” Blending old-fashioned comfort with high-tech material, SHEEX is a company that won’t be caught dozing.