So, these are not as soft at first as the plush fleece sheet sets- but with a couple of washings, they have become very soft.  I'm pretty picky about sheets- no problem spending money for Egyptian-Quality Cotton high thread count sheets- way more expensive than these, but the wife complains about being cold and she prefers these types of sheets to flannel or cotton in the warmth department.  I don't mind because then I don't get a guilt trip over turning the thermostat down at night.  :)  

When we first received these my wife wanted to send them back because they weren't the 'plush' kind- which she then proceeded to show me the difference.  I convinced her it was more hassle to return them than to just try them out and donate them if we didn't like them.  Glad we kept them!  They did really soften up, but it took maybe two washings to get that more plushy sort of feel to them.  I didn't think they were that bad to begin with.