I have tied a few different mattress and I think I have decided on the Helix Plus Elite. I am 5ft 8in and weight about 235lbs. I carry most my weight in my mid section. I sleep mostly on my side but then to move around in my sleep so, I would categories that as a combination sleeper. I tried a Nolah Comfort+ for a while and while it was not bad in providing decent pressure relief, I did not find it supported mid section as well as i would have liked and did not feel it was giving me proper alignment for my spine. I tried the Helix Midnight Elite and Helix Plus Elite in a show room, While i thought the Helix Midnight elite was nice, I think I felt supported better on the Helix Plus Elite. Even though it is rated firmer than the Midnight it did not feel a lot firmer and had great pressure relief as well a support. The micro coils must play in offering additional support as both model of the helix elite mattress felt more supportive then the Nolah Comfort+ I had during a trial period. I think I have narrowed down my selection to the Helix Plus Elite but the one thing I am unsure of will adding the “Coolforce Layer” option really provide better cooling performance vs Just the cooling cover alone. Will its benefit be negated by having a thin mattress protector like the SIJO AiryWeight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector or the Helix GlacioTex Mattress Protector. Will a mattress protector like either of these negate the benefit of Coolforce Layer. In short will i be better off Just sticking to the standard option for Helix Plus Elite that has the GlacioTex cooling cover?
Hi Ashrum,
Thanks for the question and welcome to the Mattress UnderGround.
I am 6’ 220 (formerly a bit over 250). Currently sleep on their sister mattress, the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe for over 3 years now. I have had the opportunity to test every Helix mattress and by far the Helix Plus Elite is my favorite. It was absolutely one of the most comfortable mattresses in this mattress category that I have tested.
Based on your body type, sleep position, and showroom testing, the Helix Plus Elite is a strong and well-justified choice. At 235 lbs with most of your weight carried through the midsection, the added firmness, zoning, and microcoil support of the Plus Elite are doing exactly what you need, preventing sag under the hips and abdomen while still allowing enough pressure relief for side sleeping. That explains why it felt more supportive and better aligned than the Nolah Comfort+ (which is a very good mattress in its own right) and even slightly better than the Midnight Elite, despite not feeling dramatically firmer. The Plus line offers a more robust 13.5 spring support system, as compared to the other Helix lines. I am not opposed to the other helix models, as I recently purchased a Helix Twilight Luxe for my daughter and her fiance. The microcoil layer in the Helix Elite models plays a major role here, offering better upward support and airflow than all-foam designs, which is especially important for combination sleepers who shift positions during the night. The airflow will help keep you cooler.
When it comes to cooling, adding the CoolForce Layer is unlikely to provide a meaningful benefit over the standard GlacioTex cooling cover, particularly since you plan to use a mattress protector, sheets and other bedding accessories. Cooling layers embedded within the mattress are most effective when you’re in direct contact with them, and even thin, breathable protectors, like the SIJO AiryWeight or Helix GlacioTex protector, will reduce their impact. In contrast, the GlacioTex cover delivers noticeable surface cooling and retains most of its effect even with a protector in place. Given the Plus Elite’s inherently better airflow from its hybrid and microcoil construction, sticking with the standard GlacioTex cover offers the best balance of cooling performance and value without paying extra for a feature you’re unlikely to fully feel.
Dont get me wrong, there is science behind the cool force layers, it may, in fact, draw heat away, but the real world effect in the context of what most folks expectations are of sleeping on a meat locker chilled mattress, is unrealistic. I would say if the addition cost is not going to change your life, than sure, go for it. I did that with the glaciotex cover on my Plank Luxe. The cost was a non factor to me as I was looking at a 14k mattress at the time of my experiment, deciding to get the Plank Luxe. Does it cool the mattress in a noticeable way, nah, not really, but the mattress does not sleep warm or hot in any case.
You do need to use a mattress protector for warranty purposes, but I wouldn’t worry about it having any adverse effect on this mattress. This is a mattress you’ll sleep more on than in, rather than sinking deeply into it, so you’ll likely sleep cooler regardless.
@Yawnder is an independent, authorized Helix dealer and offers excellent customer service. You can also buy direct from Helix, but I’m a fan of the more personal service you typically get from an independent dealer.
If it helps to know, I recently got the Helix Premium Microcoil topper. My Plank Luxe never slept hot to begin with, and this topper, (similar to the concept of the Helix Plus Elite’s microcoil combination) does not present any increase in heat retention. I have tried a half dozen toppers on this mattress, and the microcoil topper is a welcomed component in every comfort category.
Best of luck on whichever you choose,
If you have any questions, just fire away.
Maverick
Thank you for your help Maverick. I was leaning toward the same conclusion. I have read that people have said they still get some benefit from the Glaciotex cover with a mattress protector. I plan to use a mattress protector rather than go without one, from what I have read body fluid such as sweat on of the major causes of premature wear of mattresses, it especially causes the foam in mattress to degrade prematurely.
Your input helped me make a decision on the coolforce layer option, especially since it is so new and there is very little information to find about peoples experience about it. I did find someones comment on reddit about it who did not have a good experience. They had ordered it and the first time they sent his mattress they forgot to include it even though the comfort layer box was marked coolforce layer. They sent him a replacement that did have it and after a few day he said he could feel something shifting under the mattress cover, when he unzipped it he saw that one of coolforce strips was detached from the from the foam layer. I know to take incidents like this not too seriously as any company will have a small number of quality control issues here and there, and people tend be motivated to voice their dissatisfaction more than their satisfaction and helix as a very overall positive customer experience. You definitely would want to give bad customer experiences more weight if they were widespread of course. His pictures and experience did give me a bit of pause though as to the durability of coolforce strips in the coolforce layer and whether you might feel them when sleeping on the mattress. The seemed to be simply adhered to the top of the first foam layer directly under the Glaciotex mattress cover. I makes me wonder if you might feel them when on the mattress or the movement of larger person the target group for the Helix plus line would make them come loose over time, especially in the case of combination sleepers that then to move more than other during the night. The other issue I wonder that could affect their durability would be using them with an adjustable base whether the flexing or bending of the mattress might eventually cause them to come loose.
Thank you for your invaluable input Maverick. I tend to agree with you that with a mattress protector that it is not likely provide little or any benefit with the coolforce layer option. Considering that and their not being enough information about it yet as it is so new, there is too little to go on to determine its durability. I think i will be going with out it. I think its better for me to use cooler sleeping sheets in the summer, like linen or percale sheets.