Advice for a back sleeper looking for medium firm to firm mattress

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
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I’m a male, 170 lbs. back sleeper who is hoping to get advice on a medium firm to firm mattress that provides good back and lower body support but doesn’t sink too much.

I have had a sleep number i10 for a few years but find that it provides inadequate support for my lower body. I recently tried sleeping for about a month on a Stearns and Foster Estate Firm with a euro pillow top, but have found it to be too soft. I sink into it, which hurts both my mid back and painfully rounds my shoulders.

I’ve been lying extensively in various mattresses at the store but none feel quite right. The Kingsdown Crown Imperial was causing me pain in my arms. I’m worried the Purple Restore Plus is too soft (the firm version is way too firm for me) and I’ve had a hard time adjusting to it, while the Purple Restore Premier has too much sinkage and creates pain in my lower body. The Posturpedic. Wdium was too soft and hurt my back, while the firm with euro top was too firm. I used to have a Saatva Classic years ago, but it was also too firm for back sleeping. I’ve tried DIY pure latex mattresses in the past and they hurt my back a lot, as did Tempurpedic brands.

I’ve been thinking about getting a Stearns and Foster Estate firm tight top. When I visit family, I sleep on their 6 year old Hurston with pillow top and find it super comfortable. But it’s been discontinued and so I’ve been looking at the Estate collection, which I’m told is the modern equivalent. However, I’m a bit concerned the Estate firm tight top is too firm. I can feel it a bit in the head area, and feel a bit of tension in my arms (although far less than the Crown Imperial).

I’m hoping to get advice on what mattress might work best for a back sleeper like me—-one that doesn’t sink much If at all but has a least a bit of softness to it to provide relief for the shoulders while still providing good support for my back and lower body.

Unfortunately, I’m probably limited to mattresses made by major manufacturers, since I would only buy a mattress if I could lay on it extensively and if I could get a full refund, rather than just a comfort exchange. Mattress stores near me that tend to provide those options mainly carry mattresses by major manufacturers. While I’d be happy to try better crafted mattresses by smaller companies who use better quality materials than major manufacturers, I haven’t found any local stores that both let me try those out and offer a full refund.

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

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Hi Nik,

Thanks so much for sharing all those details. That really helps paint a clear picture of what you’ve been through (and I totally get how exhausting the mattress hunt can be).

While I’d really love to give you more specific suggestions, it’s tough to narrow things down without knowing where you’re located, even just a zip code would help a lot. That way, I can see what’s actually available for you to try in person. I understand the need to try in person, but as you have experienced that is no guarantee once you get the mattress home in your personal environment, that it will work out. Sure, it might eliminate the too soft ones, but those that feel just right or slightly firm in the store, once settled, can present themself at too soft or break in to just right.

If it turns out you have access to them locally, I’d love for you to try a @BackScience Back Science 2 or an @DLX Premier Hybrid Medium, that one, in particular, feels very close to many of the Stearns & Foster line-up. But without knowing your region, it’s kind of shooting in the dark.

Also, if you’re open to a latex mattress, there are a couple of excellent options worth keeping in mind: @CST Custom Sleep Technology has an amazing body profile app, and @EuropeanSleep European Sleep Works has some amazing mattress options. Both brands are known for their high-quality materials and thoughtful construction. Custom Sleep Technology offers modular latex designs that let you fine-tune the feel or swap layers as your needs change, while European Sleep Works has some really solid latex-hybrid builds that balance support and comfort well.

If you can share your zip code or general area, it would be easier to see what is available near you, including whether any of those brands (or comparable ones) can be tried locally. That’ll make the next steps in your search a lot more focused and productive.

At the end of the day, the quality of materials is going to reveal the happy ending to this story. Some of the mainstream brands you mentioned, may have had storied pasts, but some leave a lot to be desired today, even when comfortable in the very short term showroom test.

Sorry, I could not be more helpful, but you have trialed a lot of mattresses, perhaps too many, and more professional guidance is required. Many of the Trusted Members do encounter folks such as yourself, but honestly, they get it right when collaborating closely with a client(whether in person or by phone) nearly 90-95% of the time.

I understand that you want to be comfortable with minimal financial risk, and some mass-market brands might accommodate that (although less and less these days). However, smaller regional manufacturers work much more closely with their products, and just as you want to be careful with your choices, they need to consider their time and costs as well. While some companies may offer modifications or returns at no cost, in today’s marketplace that’s a big ask, especially for brands that invest a lot of consultation and craftsmanship into their mattresses. This approach may not be feasible for you, but it’s important to recognize that relying solely on “free returns” or off-the-shelf guesses could mean missing the mattress that truly fits your body and sleep style, that these smaller more localized professionals offer. Ultimately, achieving the right fit requires an active role and thoughtful involvement on your part.

All the best,

Maverick

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Maverick, if it helps, my zip code is 91602 (North Hollywood, CA).

Also, around Thanksgiving week, I’ll be visiting family in zip code 27613 (Raleigh, NC). I’m happy to try mattresses there too.

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That is wonderful, so my instincts are really good here. Ultrabed in Agoura Hills is the home of the Back Science Mattress and it’s creator, Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C. who is the perfect person you want by your side in choosing a mattress. So you are about a half hour or so away from being comfortable.

You are in good hands.

Maverick

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Awesome, I appreciate the info. I’ll head over there and give the mattress a try.

Also, Also, around Thanksgiving week, I’ll be visiting family in zip code 27613 (Raleigh, NC). I’m happy to try mattresses there too. any suggestions for that area?

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My guess is Dr. Rick will get you where you need to be. He sells many of the mattresses you have tried and knows their limitations. It is because of those, he has created his, better materials, modifiable, precise fitting of the mattress. It doesnt get much better than this.

I am cheering for you!

Maverick

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Thanks! Out of curiosity, why do you suggest the Black Science 2 rather than the Black Science 3? I’ll try them both out but I’m wondering if you think the Black Science 3 is too soft?

I ask because, according to Black Science’s website, the Black Science 2 is listed as a 6 to 8 on the lumbar scale. A 6 sounds nice but a 7 or 8 seems like it might be too firm.

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Thanks for your interest and definitely ask for me when you get to our showroom and I would be happy to meet with you personally. I am there most days, but you can also feel free to give us a heads-up when you will be there and I can try to arrange my schedule accordingly. You can give our factory store a call anytime at 800 667-1969 or contact us through our Back Science or www.Ultrabed.com store website. We are just off the 101 Freeway between Chesbro and Kanan. Here is our address:
28505 Canwood Street
Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Thanks!

Rick

Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C.
Founder and Head of Product Development

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You are only 170lbs. The BS 2 will give ample support, and if needed their lumbar flex option can enhance your back if you need it. Everyone’s definition of soft, med, and firm is a bit different. I sleep on a firm mattress, but mine is about a 9-9.5/10, most firms are 7.5-8.5/10. But the BS 2 is very forgiving with nice pressure relief in the cover/panel while providing nice support, and you failed with a S&F pillowtop, when it had a firm support section. So you dont want to go too soft.
Dr Rick can modify most any of his mattresses, so you are in very good hands.

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Thank you, I definitely will!

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I’ve been on a Back Science 3 for about 7 months. I started at 220 lbs, now down to about 200. If you’re mostly a back sleeper, you’re probably not going to want a 3. But the great thing about Rick is that he’ll customize it with you. I’m a side-and-back sleeper with a shoulder injury, so a Back Science 3 with extra lumbar support was what is working for me, but if you’re mostly a back sleeper already, I’m guessing you won’t need that much cushion. When I spend most of the night on my back, I really need that extra support Rick gave me. But he custom-cut it for me and consulted me on the phone months after the purchase so I have a lot of confidence that your back is going to feel great with it. I don’t recommend the memory foam – go for the standard built-in topper on the BS1 or BS2. I’m curious what you decide. I wish I could’ve tried in person, but I had to order from the east coast.

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Thanks for sharing your experience!

I feel lucky that I had a chance to try out the Back Science series 2 and 3 in person last weekend. Both felt good, and I ended up purchasing the series 2 because its firmer feel felt better on my back. Dr. Rick was very helpful and informative! They’re putting the mattress together now and I’m looking forward to sleeping on it soon.

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Hey! I totally get what you’re describing — finding that “just right” balance for back support without too much sink is tough. Since you liked the feel of the Hurston, the Stearns & Foster Estate firm tight top sounds like a solid option, especially if it’s the modern equivalent. Maybe give it a try for a couple of nights and see if a thin mattress topper helps soften any tension points. You’re definitely on the right track with something medium-firm and supportive.

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At 170 lbs as a back sleeper, the S&F Estate Firm Tight Top sounds like your best bet—especially since you loved the older Hurston. The initial firmness usually softens after break-in, and that slight arm tension you felt in-store should diminish.