Sleep brand Rest is redefining personalised comfort through science-backed cooling bedding. We spoke with Nilanka Weerasuriya, Rest’s General Manager Australia, about breaking into the Australian market, building a new category in sleep, and why cooler sleep is the key to better nights — and ultimately better days.
Cooling bedding is new in Australia. What is Rest, and why is it different?
Cooling bedding is still a relatively new category in Australia, but the problem it solves definitely isn’t. One in two Australians struggle with overheating at night, and most traditional bedding simply isn’t designed to fix that.
Most brands still focus on familiar fabrics like cotton or bamboo, but they don’t address why so many people wake up hot and exhausted. Comfort shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all, especially when heat is the issue.
Rest® is different because we start with sleep. Our Evercool range is engineered to regulate temperature using ultra-fine cooling fibres, improve airflow, and manage moisture so you stay cool all night. And it’s not just a feel-good claim—Evercool® is backed by more than 1,000 nights of independent SleepScore Labs testing and designed specifically for Australian conditions. That science-led approach is what sets Rest apart.
What’s your vision for Rest?
For me, Rest is more than a product—it feels like a movement.
We’re a sleep technology and wellness brand working to change how people think about sleep. Sleep sits alongside diet and exercise as a pillar of health, yet temperature regulation is still often overlooked. If your body is overheating, no routine or supplement can fix that.
Our vision is to personalise comfort so people can reclaim their sleep. We’re starting with hot sleepers, but building solutions for a wider range of sleep needs.
How does Rest help people sleep cooler and deeper?
Our Evercool® comforter and sheet sets are made with a proprietary blend of ultra-fine, breathable fibres that increase airflow, wick moisture, and lower sleep-surface temperature throughout the night.
Importantly, this isn’t just a marketing claim. Independent SleepScore Labs testing with women aged 40–60 experiencing hot sleep or night sweats showed significant improvements in perceived coolness, sleep quality, and reduced night sweats. That focus on validated results guides everything we do.
Any key insights from designing for hot sleepers?
One major insight was that it’s not just heat—it’s moisture. Humidity and perspiration disrupt sleep far more than people realise.
We also found most coping strategies don’t work. Fans and air-conditioning cool the room, not the body. And the impact goes beyond tiredness—our research shows 44% of people are cancelling plans, 48% are skipping workouts, and half of all Australians are experiencing more tension at home because of disrupted sleep. Better sleep genuinely improves quality of life.
What role will technology play in the future of sleep?
The bedroom is becoming the next frontier of wellbeing.
As nights get hotter and for woman navigating hormonal changes,,passive bedding isn’t enough. The future of sleep innovation lies in material science—creating climate-smart, bio-responsive bedding that works with the body, not against it. That’s exactly where Rest is focused.
Why does sleep matter at a national level?
Poor sleep is more than just a personal issue — it’s a public health and economic issue, costing Australia around $75.5 billion each year in lost productivity and health impacts.
We’re not just selling bedding — we’re addressing a widespread problem. When sleep improves, everything improves, and our mission at Rest is to make restorative sleep accessible, not a luxury.
To learn more about Rest Evercool cooling bedding range, visit: au.rest.com