I Tried What US Athletes Will Be Sleeping on at Milano Cortina
I Slept on the Bedding US Olympians Will Use at the Winter Games
When the world’s top athletes gather in Milano Cortina for the 2026 Winter Olympics, they’ll be resting their bodies on more than just podium dreams—they’ll be sleeping on a carefully curated bedding bundle designed by Saatva, the luxury mattress company that’s now the official sleep sponsor of Team USA.
As someone who’s spent years testing sleep products and analyzing what makes for optimal recovery, I jumped at the chance to experience the same bedding that will cradle America’s finest winter athletes. The $940 Winter Sleep Accessories bundle includes everything from temperature-regulating sheets to pressure-relieving pillows, all engineered to help athletes (and mere mortals) achieve peak sleep performance.
The Foundation: A Mattress Topper That’s More Than Just Padding
Let’s start with what lies between you and your mattress—the Saatva mattress topper. This isn’t your average foam pad; it’s a 3-inch layer of precision-engineered comfort designed to transform any sleeping surface into an Olympic-worthy recovery zone.
The topper features a responsive foam core that adapts to your body’s contours while maintaining enough support to prevent that dreaded “sinking” feeling. What impressed me most was the temperature regulation. Unlike traditional memory foam that can turn your bed into a heat trap, this topper incorporates cooling technology that kept me comfortably cool throughout the night—crucial for athletes who need to regulate their core temperature for optimal recovery.
The quilted surface adds a touch of luxury without compromising the topper’s primary function: providing that extra layer of support that can make the difference between waking up refreshed or with that familiar “slept wrong” stiffness. For athletes competing at the highest level, that difference could mean the gap between gold and silver.
The Protector: Luxury Meets Function
The mattress pad in this bundle offers a bit of cushion with its quilted surface, but don’t mistake it for a full-on topper replacement. Think of it more as a deluxe mattress protector with benefits. It’s designed to shield your mattress from the wear and tear of nightly use while adding a subtle layer of comfort.
For athletes who might find their provided mattress acceptable but want that extra edge, this pad could be the perfect compromise. You could easily forgo the topper and use just the pad, or layer them together for maximum cushioning. I found that using both together created a bit too much sink for my preference, and the elastic sides stretched more than I’d like on my standard-height mattress.
However, the pad’s water-resistant properties and easy-clean surface make it ideal for the Olympic Village environment, where multiple athletes might rotate through the same bed throughout the Games.
The Pillow: Finding Your Perfect Loft
Hotel pillows have long been the bane of travelers everywhere—either too soft and unsupportive or so firm they feel like sleeping on a brick. Saatva’s latex pillows aim to solve this universal problem by offering what they call the “Goldilocks” of pillow comfort.
The standard-loft option (about 4 to 5 inches) features a shredded latex core surrounded by an organic cotton cover and microdenier fibers that mimic the luxurious feel of down feathers. The result is a pillow that’s simultaneously supportive and moldable—you can scrunch it into the perfect shape for your sleeping position and it will maintain that shape throughout the night.
Latex brings several advantages to the pillow game: it’s naturally hypoallergenic, incredibly durable, and resistant to heat buildup. The shredded design allows for better airflow than solid latex, preventing that sweaty-pillow syndrome that can ruin a good night’s sleep.
If you’re a side sleeper, have broader shoulders, or prioritize cervical alignment, Saatva offers a higher-loft option (6 to 7 inches) that provides the extra elevation needed to keep your spine properly aligned. As a combination sleeper myself, I appreciated how the standard loft adapted to whatever position I found myself in throughout the night.
The “mushy” feel that some reviewers mention isn’t a flaw—it’s a feature for those who prefer a more malleable pillow that can be shaped to individual preferences. However, if you’re someone who needs rock-solid support, these might feel too soft for your liking.
The Sheets: Performance Fabric for the Win
No bedding bundle would be complete without sheets, and Saatva’s offering doesn’t disappoint. The sheets in this bundle are crafted from long-staple cotton with a sateen weave that delivers that luxurious, slightly silky feel against your skin.
What sets these sheets apart from your average luxury bedding is their performance-oriented design. The fabric is engineered to wick moisture away from your body, helping regulate temperature throughout the night. This is particularly crucial for athletes who might experience temperature fluctuations due to intense training schedules or pre-competition nerves.
The sheets also feature deep pockets that accommodate even the thickest mattresses, and the elastic all the way around ensures they stay put throughout the night—no more waking up wrapped in a bedsheet burrito.
The Complete Package: Is It Worth the Investment?
At $940 for the queen-size bundle, this isn’t an impulse purchase. But when you break down what you’re getting—two premium latex pillows, a high-quality mattress topper, a protective mattress pad, and a set of performance sheets—the price starts to make more sense, especially when compared to purchasing each item individually.
For athletes, the investment is even more justifiable. Sleep is when the body does its most important recovery work, repairing muscle tissue, consolidating memory, and preparing for the next day’s challenges. Having bedding that optimizes this recovery process isn’t a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage.
For the rest of us, the bundle represents an opportunity to bring a touch of Olympic-level sleep science into our homes. While we might not be competing for gold medals, we’re all competing in the daily challenges of work, family, and life. Better sleep means better performance in every area.
My Recommendation: Customize Your Approach
While the bundle offers excellent value, I actually prefer Saatva’s approach of allowing you to purchase items individually. Sleep is deeply personal, and what works for one person might not work for another. Here’s my breakdown:
Mattress Topper: Worth it if you need to extend the life of your current mattress or want to adjust its firmness level. The cooling technology alone makes it valuable for hot sleepers.
Pillows: Excellent choice for stomach and combination sleepers who prefer softer, more moldable pillows. Side sleepers or those who need firm support might want to look elsewhere.
Mattress Pad: A nice addition if you already love mattress pads, but not essential if you’re using the topper. The protective qualities are valuable, but the comfort enhancement is minimal.
Sheets: The standout item in the bundle. The temperature regulation and luxurious feel make these worth the investment, even if you skip the other items.
The Olympic Connection
As I write this, Team USA athletes are preparing to compete on the world’s biggest stage, and they’ll be doing so with the knowledge that their sleep environment has been optimized for peak performance. It’s a reminder that in elite sports, victory isn’t just about what happens during competition—it’s about the countless hours of preparation, including those spent in recovery.
I’ll be watching the Games with a new appreciation for what these athletes endure, knowing that behind every breathtaking performance is a good night’s sleep on carefully selected bedding. And who knows? Maybe the secret to that perfect triple axel or gravity-defying halfpipe run starts between the sheets.
Here’s to all of us—athletes and everyday heroes alike—sleeping better and performing at our best. After all, we might not all be going for gold, but we’re all going for our personal best.
Tags: Olympic bedding, Team USA sleep, Saatva mattress review, winter games sleep science, athlete recovery bedding, luxury sleep products, cooling mattress topper, latex pillows review, Olympic Village accommodations, sleep performance optimization, premium bedding bundle, temperature regulating sheets, combination sleeper pillows, mattress protector benefits, sleep investment worth it, Milano Cortina 2026 bedding, competitive sleep advantage, hypoallergenic pillows, moisture-wicking sheets, Olympic athlete recovery
Viral Phrases: “Sleep like an Olympian,” “The gold medal of bedding,” “Where champions rest,” “From the Olympic Village to your bedroom,” “The secret weapon of elite athletes,” “Recovery starts between the sheets,” “Temperature regulation for gold medal sleep,” “The competitive edge you never knew you needed,” “Sleep science meets Olympic performance,” “Transform your bed into a recovery center,” “The bedding bundle that dreams are made of,” “Why champions prioritize their sleep,” “The $940 question: Is Olympic-level sleep worth it?”
,




Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!