I have a Naturepedic Arcadia: 6” coils (medium/firm, no options here), and I’ve tried every single combo of 3” support and comfort layers. I’m 5’6”, 150lbs, mostly a back sleeper with some side. Sleep with a pillow under/between legs to help with alignment. Had all the layers for several months so they’re broken in and I need to finalize things soon or start paying for other options.
Firm on firm feels great initially but too firm and hurts pressure points all night.
Medium on firm is probably the best but I feel like my hips tilt forward and arch my back as they sink in as the night goes on.
Soft on firm is similar. Side sleeping feels better, but the sink happens earlier and makes falling asleep harder. I do wonder if I haven’t explored this enough and will wake up feeling better? I usually dislike it enough I switch a few hours in.
Medium on medium feels great and plush falling asleep and then in the middle of the night everything hurts because it caved in more. Haven’t tried soft on medium since breaking in, but if I can’t do medium on medium now I am not optimistic.
Haven’t tried microcoils since the store tests and thought they felt weird then but maybe they’ll fix this?
Other ideas? I’ve also worked on optimizing my pillow heights and my neck is feeling good. It’s just my lower back is killing me with the sinking. The mattress is on a solid foundation that doesn’t bow or sag.
@BackScience
@CST
Please describe the foundation. Slats, adjustable base, or something else?
Age of foundation?
Thank you for detailing your journey with the Naturepedic Arcadia configuration—that level of specific feedback is incredibly valuable. It sounds like you’ve meticulously narrowed down the issue to the precise point where you lose support: your hips sinking forward, causing an anterior pelvic tilt and lumbar arching as the night progresses.
This is a classic problem with non-zoned mattresses, especially for side/back sleepers who carry weight in their hips (regardless of overall weight). The fact that soft on firm helps your shoulders but sacrifices your back tells you exactly what kind of system you need.
Here is my professional take as a chiropractor and mattress designer, and why the Back Science Series 2 Hybrid is specifically designed for your situation:
- The Problem You Are Facing: Your ideal setup requires two contradictory things: A soft contouring surface for your side-sleeping shoulders and a firm, lifting base specifically under your hips/lumbar to counteract your tendency toward anterior pelvic tilt (which worsens on soft layers). Since the Arcadia has non-zoned uniform layers, the soft top layer, when compressed, doesn’t get sufficient resistance from the uniform firm coils underneath.
- The Back Science Solution (Series 2 Hybrid): I would strongly recommend the Back Science Series 2 Hybrid. It should be a great fit because it addresses your issue with targeted technology:
- Patent Pending Lumbar-Flex Zoned Support: This is the core difference. Our Zoned Support is engineered to sit higher and firmer under your lumbar spine than the rest of the mattress. This reinforcement actively resists the sinking and forward hip tilt that is causing your pain. This feature works to maintain proper alignment better than any single-firmness foam or coil system.
- Luxury-Firm Feel: The Series 2 strikes the precise medium-firm balance you need. It provides a pressure-relieving layer of buoyant Hypergel foam (which is great for side-sleeping shoulders) while the coil and core system underneath delivers the firm support.
- Durability: Given your history of mattresses cratering, the robust coil system ensures long-lasting, consistent support that won’t break down quickly like some all-foam or softer systems.
- Regarding Microcoils: Microcoils primarily add softness and conformity to the top layer, but they typically don’t address foundational lumbar support like our Lumbar-Flex system. They would likely feel plush but still result in the hip sinking issue you’re trying to fix.
- Customization is Key: Since you are at the end of your trial with your current mattress, you need surety. We offer a 365-night sleep trial and a GripLock Modular cover system. If, after sleeping on the Series 2, you feel the need for any minor adjustment, we can send you new layers to swap in to fine-tune the firmness and support—all at no cost during your trial.
I believe the Back Science Series 2 is precisely what you’ve been seeking in your configurations: the plushness you desire combined with the targeted, active support that your body mechanics require.
Feel free to ask any more questions you have and you are welcome to visit the www.BackScience.com website if you want to get any additional information, as well as reach out to us via a telephone conversation at 800 667-1969. Also, if you do decide to purchase from us, be sure to use the TMU10 discount we offer for Mattress Underground Members.
Thanks!
Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C. Founder and Head of Product Design
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