Advice from DLX and Maverick

[Annecy]

Hello,

I am a primary Back secondary side sleeper
115 pounds 5ft3” tall
I have had double mastectomies so I have a left shoulder that is a bit sensitive and I wake up with left arm numbness maybe a few times a month.
I fractured my back and could not tolerate a memory foam at all
I always loved the Sterns and Foster mattresses (med firm)
We went to a Seally that had good edge support it but medium was too soft for me.
I tend to not like softer mattresses or pillow top and preferred a medium firm but I am 65 and lean..

Should I start out with ordering a medium DLX Hybrid with m/f split?
I read that Mavericks MIL preferred the Firm side of her split.
If I do order split medium/firm and find one more comfortable may I exchange for that firmness. I am looking at a queen size.
Thanks
Shauna

@DLX

[Maverick]

Hi Shauna,

I’m sure @DLX will chime in as well, but I can share our experience. My 87-year-old mother-in-law absolutely loved the firmer side of the DLX Premier Hybrid Queen I ordered for her in a firm/medium split. She slept only on one side of the bed, so I requested the split so I could easily switch comfort layers if the firm side turned out to be too firm for her, with no need to order anything new. She was 5’3" and a little over 170 lbs at the time, and later, closer to the end, 140. She always said it was the most comfortable mattress she had ever slept on. Her generation generally preferred firmer beds, so it suited her well and brought her back to where her comfort level was used to. (If you did not know, she had spent nearly 3k on a BeautyRest mattress, that developed quite a pothole in the mattress in the hip area within around 14months. The DLX, even to this day shows no sign of sagging, softening or compressing.)

You are much lighter at 115 lbs and a primary back and secondary side sleeper with some shoulder sensitivity. For someone your weight and sleep style, I would generally lean toward the medium. When I tested both sides myself at 220 lbs, the difference between the medium and the firm was noticeable but not drastic. Over the long haul, most lighter-weight sleepers tend to get better pressure relief and overall comfort from the medium. That applies whether you are considering the HD polyfoam version or the Latex version.

One thing I really like about the DLX Premier Hybrid and the LatexLux is that the feel is similar to the Stearns & Foster mattresses you have liked. Although the DLX’s offer a very supportive with that balanced non-memory-foam feel, but with higher-quality and more durable foams. The replaceable comfort layer is a huge plus. If your needs or comfort preferences change in the future, you can swap layers years down the road rather than replace the whole mattress. The DLX cover/panel also provides some nice pressure reduction without the deep slow sink of memory foam, so most people would never guess it was a BiB at all.

As for your question about ordering a split medium and firm, yes, that can be a great option, and DLX generally allows comfort-layer exchanges if you discover you prefer one side over the other, but I would talk that out with them first. You may not want to switch to an all one level feel, just in case you need one side verses the other down the road. A split can be a smart way to try both in the same mattress, especially since you are sensitive to pressure on your left shoulder and have had trouble with memory foam in the past.

Always keep in mind, there are many things that contribute to the feel of the mattress in the final analysis. The design and build of your foundation, how rigid it is, and how close together the slats are spaced and thick the stats are. If considering an adjustable base, look for one that offers solid decking. Even the type of sheets/mattress protector you use may effect the feel of the mattress. I generally use DreamFit Egyptian or Pima Cotton sheets. They fit tight on the mattress, like a drum. This will add to the firmness, where as the linen or other style sheets may have a little more give.

I hope that helps. Happy to answer anything else.

Maverick

[DLX]

Thanks for considering DLX. Based on the information, it appears someone else recently reached out with very similar details. I’m posting our response here in case you are not the same person, but the questions, height, weight, and preferences were similar. If it was you, feel free to respond directly to the email we sent. If not, you can reply here and we’ll be happy to help.

Given your height and weight and the mix of back and side sleeping, we would only recommend the 14" Hybrid. The 12" is something we typically don’t recommend for side sleepers, and as a light sleeper you’ll still get plenty of support from the 14". It will give you a bit more pressure relief for the shoulder and hip without feeling soft or sinky.

We don’t use Serene foam and none of our latex or pocket coils are zoned. The Hybrid uses a consistent-density 3" comfort layer over a pocket coil unit that has two rows of firmer edge coils around the perimeter for seating support but no zoning in the center of the mattress.

Regarding your concern about pushback: many people in your situation prefer the Premier Hybrid over latex for that exact reason. Our foam isn’t memory foam and it isn’t Serene foam. It’s a high-performance polyurethane foam with good pressure relief for most people and it avoids that “stuck” feeling or the springy pushback you may have noticed in some latex builds.

We do ask that customers donate the mattress locally if a refund is needed, but we understand that some areas have limited charity options. It’s usually much easier to donate something that’s only a couple of months old and barely used. While a local charity is ideal, it doesn’t have to be a brick-and-mortar organization and many customers successfully use BuyNothing groups, Freecycle, a local church, shelter, or even a community member in need. Any of those options are perfectly fine. We just ask for a few photos documenting the donation.

Yes, you can order a split in medium/firm to test things out. Within the first 120 nights, we offer a one-time adjustment at no cost. We just ask that you sleep on the mattress for 30 nights and then reach out. We’ll have a few follow-up questions and may suggest a couple of simple in-home tests to help us determine the best firmness for you.

Yes with the Premier Hybrid or LatexLux, you can purchase replacement foam layers in the future. The zippered top is specifically designed so firmness can be adjusted over time. One advantage of the Premier Hybrid is that the 3" comfort layer can be replaced down the road if needed. We sell replacement layers at a discount for DLX customers. Pricing is hard to predict in the future. These aren’t listed on our site, but if you ever need one, just reach out. The mattress is also “hackable,” meaning you can even use a compatible 3" layer from a third party if you prefer.

Since you prefer a firm, supportive feel, keep in mind that everything underneath the mattress all the way down to the floor will affect how supportive it feels. Would you mind sharing what you plan to place the new mattress on? A bed frame, box spring, platform bed, adjustable base, etc.? Feel free to send photos or links if that’s easier.

Thanks again for reaching out and happy to help you sort through all of this whenever you’re ready.