Heavyweight sleeper: question

Beyond Mattresses
1

Hey all,

First, I’m 6’3 290Lb male.

I got a Sleepys Hybrid Firm mattress from mattress firm (I know, but my uncle got it for me as a gift)

It felt pretty good but I am a combo sleeper of back and side, sometimes (rarely) on stomach.

Sleeping on my side was hurting my shoulders.

I went into the store and tried the Sleepys Hybrid medium and it felt better on my shoulder and still solid for my back.

Should this hold up with my weight?

I’ve always read “heavy people need firm”, but is this not always the case? I certainly would never do plush, I’d tried one just for the heck of it and it felt terrible lol.

The medium is 2 inches thicker as well, at 13”. Since my uncle bought it, I can’t return it and just go somewhere else. I also can’t spend much more than around $250 to swap it.

From what I could find, it has an 882 coil count in it (had to find a Reddit thread when they first came out.)

Appreciate any and all input. Thanks!

2

Hi elbandito88,

Welcome to the MattressUnderGround,

We are happy you are here and have joined a the affectionately known MUGster.

The notion that “heavy people need firm mattresses” is generally true but not a hard and fast rule. The key is finding a mattress that provides adequate support without compromising comfort.

Some supporting information will help you understand this maxim.

Your mattress needs to support your body weight evenly to prevent sinkage and maintain spinal alignment. Firmer mattresses often provide this support, but they might not be comfortable for everyone, especially side sleepers.

Side sleepers typically need more cushioning to relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips. A medium-firm mattress can often strike a good balance by providing both support and enough give to alleviate pressure points.

The Sleepys Hybrid Medium you tried might be a good compromise for a few reasons:

Thickness and Coil Count**: A thicker mattress with a high coil count (like the 13" thick mattress with 882 coils) can provide both durability and support. The additional thickness generally means more layers of comfort materials which can help with pressure relief.

Hybrid mattresses combine the support of innerspring coils with the comfort of foam or other materials on top. This design can be particularly beneficial for combination sleepers like yourself, providing the firmness needed for back sleeping and the cushioning for side sleeping.

On the other hand, without knowing the existing specs of the mattress, comparing, adjusting and predicting durability and longevity will be a challenging proposition.

Given your budget constraints and the fact that your uncle gifted you the mattress, you can just thank him and move to make adjustments on your own.

Since swapping the mattress isn’t feasible or costs are more than your budget allows, consider adding a high-quality mattress topper. A topper can provide extra cushioning for your shoulders and hips without compromising the overall support of the mattress. Look for a topper made of memory foam, latex, or a similar material that suits your comfort preferences. Memory foam is generally a HEAT generating option, so latex may be the best choice. A wool topper is a great option, but it will be more expensive than the mattress.

Consider looking into a Dunlop latex topper, like this one or this one. Both are budget-friendly options that can provide added softness for your hips and shoulders.

Since your shoulders are particularly affected, another consideration is your pillow. When transitioning from an older, softer mattress to a newer, firmer one, side sleepers often create more distance from the surface of the mattress to the resting place of their head. This is especially true with a firmer mattress, as your shoulders will try to sink into the mattress but meet with firm resistance. Using a higher loft pillow can help maintain proper alignment and alleviate discomfort.

I’ve personally experienced this issue myself (see my thread on the importance of the pillow). Transitioning from an old firm mattress to a new, even firmer mattress, I had to experiment with numerous pillows and combinations.

Before committing to anything drastic, take simple steps to modify your current setup to create a more comfortable situation.

Hopefully if you are able to use some tools that are out there, you can compliment the mattress your uncle provided and remain happy and comfortable.

Good luck to you,

Maverick

3

Hey Maverick,

Thanks for the detailed post, I greatly appreciate it.

I spoke with you on Reddit yesterday about how I jumped the gun and switched for a Sleepys medium: I’m regretting that now, but luckily am being given a chance to exchange once more with no fees. The medium just doesn’t hold my weight up as well.

I now realize I really need a firm to support my weight. Since I’m stuck at mattress firm, there is a sale on the Sealy Lacey Hybrid where I would actually get some money back.

It’s a 13” firm, but most reviews call it a medium firm.
I tried the Norman 12” in store and liked it, but figure the extra inch would be better for me, on top of this technically being the upgraded version of the Norman/patterson (and for cheaper.)

I figure if it’s too firm on my side, I’ll add the topper like you said.

If I had the money, I would switch to different brand, but this seems the best for my situation.

Do you have any opinions on this one? 903 coil count is what it says. Thanks Maverick!

4

I will offer a quick answer and can delve deeper into it tonight if you like.

The number of coils is relatively insignificant. There does need to be a minimal count for a particular sized mattress, but as with any product, it is quality and design that matters. Coils by name is a simple term, but for functionality can be a bit more nuanced.

For your preferences, opting for a substantial mattress with a firm support system is ideal. Aim for maximum firmness initially, and if necessary, introduce a topper for added softness. Quality toppers effectively absorb the initial weight impact on the mattress surface, potentially extending the mattress’s lifespan by serving as a replaceable component.

Don’t get caught up in the terminology like firm, medium-firm, or medium. Instead, compare mattresses within the same brand and category. For instance, if “Norman 1” is rated 8.5/10 for firmness by the manufacturer and “Norman 2” is a 7/10, the former might be labeled firm, while the latter, being slightly softer, could be termed medium or medium-firm.

Each company adopts its own subjective labeling approach, since the industry lacks a standardized scientific method. Remember, you can’t truly firm up a soft mattress or one that’s become excessively soft, but you can always add softness to a firm mattress.

Given your limited options and budget constraints, prioritize making the most of the choices available within your range at MF. Industry and professional quality considerations aside, focus on selecting the best option from the offerings they provide.

As long as the Lacey ( I did not have time to review) is rated an 8 or more in firmness or firm by their standards, you should be able to gauge their firmness standard by that.

Whether a mattress is 13" 10" or 18" is another relative number and not directly related to firmness, unless within the same mattress series. For example, some companies will offer an mattress in a 10" 12" and 14" — The thicker the mattress the softer it is like to be, as they are adding layers to the comfort layer, and the spring layer is likely to be the same in all three. Some companies will only offer one thickness, say 13", and alter the firmness with a different ILD of the foam comfort layer. Once again, unless you have height constraints or requirements, such as a closet full of sheet sets with a maxium fit of 11", again, dont be too focused on height.

Height can sometimes play a role, but that will involve the engineering of a mattress design that anything you find in MF are not considering for anything they offer.

Gotta run, patient coming in. Will dive deeper later if necessary.

Hopefully,

Some food for thought.

Maverick