Long time reader of this form, first time poster. I think I’ve actually read 50% of this thread and it’s what lead me to get the BME mattress.
My experience as a light dude with medium BME
I’ll keep this as brief as I can, but I wanted to give back a bit of my experience and see what you all think. I’m a tall thin dude (6’2", 166lb) that side-sleeps so I went for the medium (I saw the photos of kettle bells sinking deeply into the medium and thought ‘sounds good!’. Immediately .I had lower back pains, but from what I read I knew I should give it time so I did. Fast-forward 2-3 months of different pillows and giving it as much chance as I can it’s still not rejuvenating to say the least and I’ve become more of a back-sleeper.
The gel topper
I finally reached out and was given the 2" cool gel/foam topper to try and it helped! Except despite being “cool” I’ve woken up sweaty quite a few nights now and the foam being blue colored shines through my white mattress cover and makes the bed look turquoise. Not ideal for a nice mattress.
What now?
I really love BME from what I’ve seen on here and the construction of the mattress but just don’t think it’s wise to keep. I’m stuck thinking foam and side-sleeping just don’t go well together and am considering trying Purple’s mattress (maybe for logical reasons, maybe because they’ve retargeted me so heavily on Facebook).
Does all this make sense for a lightweight side-sleeper and knowing that should I try a mattress like Purple’s or someone else’s? Wish I could try the BME soft worry-free
I’m not sure what you mean by “not rejuvenating”, but I’m guessing that you still would prefer a bit more surface comfort for sleeping upon your side.
As the memory foam topper assisted with your comfort, that of course leans in the direction of you desiring a bit more surface plushness on top of your current mattress, confirming my earlier thoughts.
Memory foam will tend to be the least breathable of the most common foam materials. With the gel infused into your memory foam topper, gel foams will tend to have a temporary effect on temperature while you are first going to sleep until temperatures equalize but have less effect on temperature regulation throughout the course of the night. You can read more about phase change materials in post #9 here and at the end of post #4 here) and you can read more about the various different types of gel foams in post #2 here.
Regarding the color showing through your sheets, I would strongly recommend that you protect your topper with a zippered encasement, even if it’s a basic one from a department or linen store. Right now, your topper should be covered at a minimum by your mattress pad/protector and your fitted sheet.
Sleeping on your side comfortably can be achieved with traditional innerspring or “foam (polyfoam, memory foam, latex, or a combination of thereof). It just comes down to finding the combinations that you prefer. If you decide to keep your mattress but wish to try a latex topper that you can return, you may wish to take a look at site member MattressTopper.com. They offer 3” Talalay toppers in three different firmnesses, and the Talalay will be more breathable than your current memory foam topper.
Regarding Purple, a forum search on Purple will also bring up much more information and feedback about them as well. They are using a layer of buckling column gel which is a good quality and durable material. There is more about buckling column gel in this article and in post #2 here and the posts it links to and a forum search on " buckling column gel " (you can just click the link) will also bring up more comments and feedback about it as well. The buckling column gel is 2" thick and then there is a 3.25" layer of 1.8 lb polyfoam under the buckling column gel (this may be 3.5" thick because they list two different thicknesses in their FAQ and the description for each size) and a 4" 2.0 lb polyfoam base layer which are both good quality materials so there are no lower quality materials or weak links in the mattress that would compromise the durability or useful life of the mattress although I would add a caution for those that are in higher weight ranges (mid 200’s or higher) because of the 1.8 lb polyfoam comfort layer.
As you should already be aware, choosing a product based upon advertising and/or reviews would generally be the least reliable way to select a mattress (see post #13 here). I can assist with the “how” to choose a mattress, but I can’t select a mattress for you or make specific recommendations, as there are too many unknowns, variables and personal preferences involved to do so with any accuracy. If you do decide to select a new mattress, I would be sure that you start your process with a review of the Mattress Shopping Tutorial and the steps listed within that will help you select a mattress.
By “not rejuvenating” I just meant it wasn’t over-the-top, new-level-of-comfort a lot of people tended to raptly talk about on the forum.
I’ve definitely noticed the foam heating up overnight. From my research on the forum about Purple it seemed it should provide cooling and good side support? You mentioned a husband I don’t think I mentioned haha but I think your point of caution for heavy weight ranges means the buckling column gel might work well for a lighter weight side-sleeper? I know it’s all personal opinion and to look beyond the reviews, but am just curious if there’s anything you’d recommend seeking out or avoiding for this kind of sleeper.
Got it. As I often mention, your own personal results are the most important thing to consider, so if it’s not the best for you, then that’s all that matters.
It doesn’t provide cooling, per se, but the buckling column gel can provide added spaces for airflow and the gel does conduct well, but like any gel will load over time. Whether or not the product has enough support for you can only be told through your own careful personal testing.
Oops! :S Looking at too many posts at once. Sorry about that. The caution is for the poly foam layer at 1.8 lb for larger individuals.
My advice would be the same that I mentioned in my last reply by starting with the Mattress Shopping Tutorial, which not only assists with guidance on how to find mattresses that contain good quality components, but also how to avoid ones that are not as high of a quality.
I’m not having a good sleep. I’m looking for possible solutions:
I’m using an old box spring from the 80s and a Coil-Spring Mattress Directly ontop of the box spring. No frame. The BB bed is directly ontop of all 3 and as I said sit directly on the floor. I’m wondering could this be causing me to develop aches and pains? I’m also noticing a noticeable sag now. It’s been less then a week.
I’m really desperate for a good night sleep. I really am.
While I can’t tell what is causing you to sleep uncomfortably, you’re certainly not doing yourself any favours with your current set up. Using a 30+ year foundation (which is more than likely an inappropriate torsion system as I mentioned in my previous reply) is the first thing you should eliminate. Placing a mattress on top of that, and then placing your new mattress on top of both of these items, is creating an even more inappropriate surface for your mattress which virtually guarantees that your mattress will sag almost immediately.
You need to place your mattress upon a firm non-flexing (or very minimal flexing) surface, per Brooklyn Bedding. Use the guidelines in the foundation thread here as well if you need more guidance.
You would be much better served by placing your mattress directly upon the floor, as this would be preferable and more appropriate than your current setup.
Do you think my back pains could possibly stem from this poor set up? I know that when I sleep directly on the mattress below it’s sheer agony. I have springs poking up in places.
I can’t feel what you feel, so there would be no way for me to tell this with 100% certainty, but what I can tell is that you’re setting up your new mattress in a very improper configuration, and as I mentioned before you’re not doing yourself any favours with this set up. By placing your mattress upon something that is sagging, you’re negatively impacting support and alignment, which certainly can lead to back issues.
Put your mattress upon the floor and sleep on it in that manner. Proceeding with your current set up makes no sense at all and would not be conducive to restorative sleep with the lack of proper support under your new mattress.
UPDATE:
3 weeks in to my medium BB #BME
im 6’2 190lbs
wife is 5’4 110lbs
side sleeprs
the bed is well made etc. etc. etc.
my wife loves it
but i feel like i’m bottoming out… like i go through the comfort layers too easily and there’s no gradual transition to the foundation
I WANT to love it but … I have to change sides 2-3 times a night or I wake up with a sore shoulder. I didnt have to do this in my old mem-foam mattress.
I have also been experiencing middle back pain/fatigue during the day, which I’ve never experienced before… its not happening IN the bed, but its a new sensation and the bed is the only thing ive changed.
gonna keep at it for a few more weeks but, so far I’m not sleeping awesome on it.
I’m sorry you’re sleeping uncomfortably on your BME.
All of the layers of a mattress work in unison and while you wouldn’t be compressing any of the layers 100%, it could be that you desire a more gradual transition from the upper layers “bending into” and having their compressed ILD more closely matching that of the polyfoam core. It could also be that you desire a bit more/thicker amount of an upper “comfort layer” to assist with this, or a material that isn’t as resilient as latex (like the memory foam layer you used to have). Or it could be that the product just isn’t your personal preference, in which case you did make a good choice with the return policy offered.
The good news is that this “transition” as you’re describing it will become a bit more “gradual” as the mattress continues to break in. Hopefully it will be enough to where you find the product comfortable, but at least you are aware that you have return options if it doesn’t.
Out of curiosity, what type of a foundation are you using under your mattress?
yeah im guessing/hoping that after 2-3 months it will “break in” more
i’ve heard that BB will send foam toppers to help w/ comfort, but that kind of defeats the purpose of latex right?
no foundation, we just have a platform frame w/ wood slats
do you think a box spring would make a difference?
[quote]yeah im guessing/hoping that after 2-3 months it will “break in” more
i’ve heard that BB will send foam toppers to help w/ comfort, but that kind of defeats the purpose of latex right?[/quote]
Yes, BB will send out a topper to assist with comfort preference if you request that.
Using a memory foam topper above multiple latex layers won’t defeat the purpose of the latex, as you’ll still have some very durable and high-quality materials within your mattress. You’ll just be modifying the surface comfort of your product, and it may be that you prefer the feel of a memory foam over latex for the comfort layer. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that, as it comes down to personal preference. There will be a difference in the overall feel (you’ll be “in” the mattress just a bit more) and you may notice a difference in breathability/temperature, but if it works well for you, then it would still be a good quality combination.
[quote]no foundation, we just have a platform frame w/ wood slats
do you think a box spring would make a difference?[/quote]
Using a platform bed with a good slat network is fine and I would not replace it, as this is the style of surface upon which BB recommends you place your mattress. I would have more of a concern if you were using an actual coil box spring or something that sagged (which is why I was double-checking).
I’m not sure you’re clear between the difference between a box spring and a foundation, so I’ll describe each for you just to be sure.
A box spring has springs inside it that flex under the mattress and there are very few one sided mattresses today that use them as a support system and in many cases they will invalidate a mattress warranty. Most mattresses in the industry today need a steel or wooden bedframe with a foundation that has minimal to no flex (vs a box spring that flexes), or a platform bed which also has little to no flex under the mattress. There are many in the industry that mix up the terminology between box springs and foundations even though they are very different products, so this can make it quite confusing.
A foundation or platform bed with the proper slat spacing would be an appropriate surface upon which to place your mattress. Nothing additional would be needed.
(in reply to Phoenix’s post 735 from January 31st, in case anyone is wondering)
Thanks Phoenix! I half expected to be told that :). But I thought I’d ask, in case there were guidelines for lighter people (I recalled seeing some for heavier BMIs…but I could have misremembered).
I had used BB’s chat feature a few months ago, and the person I spoke with recommended the soft. Last week, I gave them a call as you suggested and the woman I spoke with recommended a medium, with the promise of a complementary mattress pad if it turned out to be too firm for me.
Her reasoning was that she wasn’t sure if I would be more comfortable with a soft or a medium, but with a medium the topper was an option. If the soft was too soft there would be nothing they could do to remedy the situation. It sounded logical to me, so that’s what I just ordered.
I’ll let you know how everything works out. Thanks for maintaining this incredibly helpful site!
While higher BMIs will definitely need more specific and durable materials, people with a lower BMI would find this to be more of an issue of their own personal comfort preference (of course making sure the materials used meet the minimum recommended durability guidelines). It is true that some people with lower BMIs tend to enjoy materials that are slightly “softer”, but that would be a generalization.
It is true that it’s much easier to add plushness to a product that provides adequate support but has a bit “too firm” of a surface comfort, but it is difficult to take a product that is too plush and make it “harder” on the surface.
Oh, and congratulations on your new mattress! :cheer: You certainly made a good quality/value choice. I’ll be interested in your feedback on it.
Hello everyone, I just had a quick question. I ordered a Brooklyn bedding best mattress ever, and was wondering in gerneral, how long after opening the bed and letting the bed expand before you can actually sleep on it? I had tried a Leesa previously, the off gassing was pretty bad. I literally let it set for 3 days before I could lay on it due to the odor. Otherwise it seemed expanded in 2 days. Anyone with insight or if you have anything to add Phoenix, I would be much obliged. Im just really excited to try the bed out. Thanks and happy hump day!
I’m also new on the forum as of a few minutes ago (and I’m in Virginia as well!) We just received our BME (soft) yesterday. Opened it at 6 PM and had a great night’s sleep on it last night. I think it’s ready to sleep on pretty quickly- an hour or two really- but it will take several days for it to fully, completely expand. From what I’ve read, it does not hurt the mattress to sleep on it almost immediately (or we wouldn’t have done so.)
I researched heavily for a couple of weeks before ordering the mattress. This site was immensely helpful in making my decision. We had slept on an original 8" Tempur-Pedic for the last 13 years, and wanted something softer and more responsive. I’m extremely happy after the first night, my wife not so much. I feel like the mattress is very soft; she feels as though it’s firmer! (Phoenix’s writing about individual experiences being drastically different is spot-on!) Time will tell, and I’ll update as we go.
