Help me understand progressive

[phoenix]

Hi awoods,

I have read the guides explaining the purpose of the different designs and layers - thank you for writing them! Now I’m thinking about how they apply to me and would like some help. I’m female, 5’6", 135lb, and sleep only on my stomach. My husband is 6’, 190lb, broad shouldered, and sleeps on his side. Our current bed is an innerspring with a pillow top. As the pillow top is showing wear, I feel less comfortable when I get in bed, but no aches and pains getting up. After reading your guides, this seems reasonable, as there is probably still the one inch of cushion needed for a stomach sleeper, and the springs are still in reasonable condition. My husband however is waking up with shoulder pain, which again makes since as using your measurement tip, he needs 3-4" of comfort layer for side sleeping, and our bed certainly does not have that now, and likely when new still did not have enough.

I would avoid trying to use specs to decide on a mattress that is the best match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) unless you have a great deal of knowledge about mattress design and theory or experience with many different mattress materials and components and different designs. Even the most experienced mattress designers will often be surprised at how a mattress was “supposed” to feel for any specific person and how it “actually” feels in real life and there are far to many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved to use specs (either yours or a mattress) to choose a mattress based on “theory at a distance”. The only reliable way to choose a mattress is either based on your own careful and objective testing using the testing guidelines in the tutorial post or if you can’t test a mattress in person then a more detailed conversation with an online retailer or manufacturer that can help “talk you through” the options they have available that would be most likely to be suitable match for you based on “averages” (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here)

I simple terms … a progressive design uses several layers of materials and components (more than two) that use firmer materials on the bottom and then progressively softer materials as you move towards the top of a mattress. A “differential” design would typically be a more simple two layer design with a firmer support core and then a single softer layer on top of it that has a bigger “differential” between the firmness of the layers but these are just generic concepts and not specific guidelines that can be used to choose a mattress for any particular person.

So how to find a bed for us both? I’m wondering if a progressive design might be the answer, something that has a thin very soft top layer for stomach sleeping, a medium middle layer that would give my back support, but also give my husband the extra depth needed for side sleeping, then a firm bottom layer. Does this sound sensible? If so, then I am next considering if the bottom layer should be a spring design, or latex? Or can both work for this sort of need? I am not interested in poly foam or memory foam due to chemical sensitivity, so I’m thinking latex for the middle and top layers would be best for me regardless of the material of the bottom support layer.

The first part of post #2 here has more information about the different ways that a mattress or sleeping system can be designed to be suitable for a couple that has different needs and preferences. Again though … your own personal testing or if you can’t test a mattress in person then the guidance of a knowledgeable and experienced online retailer or manufacturer would be the most reliable way to choose.

Or am I thinking about it too much and some form of 2 layer design might be able to handle our needs? If so, what might that be like?

Yes … I think you may be thinking about it or “studying” it too much which can lead to “information overwhelm” and “paralysis by analysis”. In general it’s best to let your body and your testing decide on suitability (PPP) issues (or a more detailed conversation that includes information about your body types, sleeping positions, preferences, any unique health or other circumstances that you need to take into account, and mattresses you have tested or slept on that worked well for you if you are considering an online choice) and then use your mind and “specs” to decide on durability issues (by making sure you know the quality/durability of the materials inside a mattress).

Any guidance would be appreciated. My husband hates the “this one or that one” process, but I know he’ll appreciate a good choice, so I’m trying to learn as much as I can about what might suit us before I go to the stores to look and play the “this or that” testing game.

Outside of any specific questions you may have … my “best” suggestions would be to follow all the steps and guidelines in the tutorial post one at a time without missing any and this will give you the highest possible chance of making the most suitable, durable, and “best value” choice based on the preferences and criteria that are most important to you.

One of the most important parts of a successful mattress purchase is the knowledge, experience, and transparency of the retailer or manufacturer you choose to deal with and if you let me know your city or zip code I’d be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area.

Phoenix