Hi Skyenic,
Welcome to the community, and congrats on starting your mattress search, definitely an important investment, especially when you’re dealing with back pain.
Whatever mattress you decide to go with, two things are key beyond just the mattress itself: make sure your foundation is solid enough to support both you and the mattress, and consider whether your current pillow still works well with your new sleep setup. A mismatched pillow can totally throw off alignment, even with the right mattress. I have written about the importance of the pillow here and about mattress foundations here.. Neither are an exhaustive list, just some from my personal experiences and off the top of my head while writing the posts.
I used to be over 250 and am currently around 220, so I hear you on finding that sweet spot. I’ve always leaned toward firm beds, but with all the innovations out there now, being plus-sized doesn’t automatically mean going super firm. What really matters is how the support layers are designed and how they respond under your weight and sleep positions.
In the adjustable airbed category, companies like Personal Comfort, iSleep, iSense, and Air-Pedic tend to offer higher-quality, more customizable options compared to what the modern Sleep Number lineup provides.
As for Engineered Sleep, I agree, they do a fantastic job of creating well-balanced systems and are also able to customize both before and after the purchase, which is a big plus. Since you’re looking at their Duo Latex and Duo Memory Plus, you’re already looking at quality mattresses. If you want more clarity between those two options, @EngineeredSleep is great about discussing adjustments based on your sleep style and pressure points.
One of the best parts of working with the Trusted Member vendors here at The Mattress Underground is that you can reach out to them directly, call, text, or email, so you really have an opportunity and should collaborate with a TM if you decide on one of their mattresses, to narrow down what will work best for your posture, alignment, and pressure relief needs.
Based on your description, you might also want to check out the Brooklyn Bedding Titan Plus Elite. It’s built with a sturdy support core that’s great for heavier sleepers and topped with a comfort system that leans medium-firm, that has a cushy side sleeper feel while being supportive without being stiff.
Since you mentioned latex, you’ll be happy to know that almost every Trusted Member can offer latex-based builds. Just something to keep in mind: latex and memory foam feel pretty different. It’s not about one being better, but they offer different experiences. Latex has that buoyant, responsive feel and tends to sleep cooler and last longer. Memory foam is more contouring and enveloping, often warmer, though some brands use specialized cooling designs to mitigate temperature issues . For example, @Tempflow uses a patented airflow design that helps manage heat better than typical viscoelastic foam options.
Hope this helps take a bit of the overwhelm out of the process. Feel free to ask more questions, there’s a ton of knowledge in this community, and experts to help guide you.
All the Best,
Maverick