Mattress Advice for Large Side Sleeper with Back Issues

[NikkiTMU]

Hi dalesimp21.

Welcome to the Mattress Forum.

I am 6’5" 220lb side sleeper with 3 disc herniations in my back (one of which I had surgery on a while back), and my wife is also a side sleeper, 5’6" and on the smaller side of average size. She really likes plush, soft mattresses, and I have always thought that I liked (or should like) a firmer mattress due to my back pain. Several years ago we figured that with our difference tastes in firmness, we’d buy a sleep number bed so we could each have our own firmness levels.

Thanks for sharing this information. Not only do you and your wife have different preferences, but you have very different needs due to your weight differential and, in your case, your specific needs regarding your back. You were on the right track with seeking out different firmness levels, even if the Sleep Number didn’t work out for you. I would suggest continuing with the idea of a split left/right configuration. The mattress can be built so that the total thickness of the mattress is the same for each side, which means that there would be no difference in elevation, and with a suitable tight fitted quilted cover, the “split” transition area between sides is usually unnoticeable for most people. You can read more here about side by side layering in post #2.

Recently we were in a local bedding store and we both tried out the all latex bed that they had there and really liked it. She loved the plush feeling, and I actually felt that, while it had a lot of give and was soft, that there was a feeling of really good underlying support for my back.

One of the beautiful things about latex is that even in the softer ILDs, it has a higher resilience and is more “supportive” than other foams; it will also help support the more recessed areas of your body, such as the lumbar, that need “filling in.” This is important, especially with your back injury, as side sleepers have a curvier sleeping profile with deeper gaps to “fill in” to spread your weight out on the mattress. Side sleepers generally need thicker and/or softer comfort layers to adequately cushion their pressure points.

am I (or we) going to bring it home and have issues with pain, etc. once I start sleeping on it regularly? Would an all latex bed, in general, be good for a larger framed side sleeper with my back issues, while also providing the comfort that my wife likes?

If you choose the correct ILD for your preferences and needs, you shouldn’t end up with pain issues (beyond the regular aches that can be associated with breaking-in a new bed). And, if you pick a split configuration, you can absolutely get the support and comfort each of you prefers. A number of our Trusted Members offer split configurations. Also, they are extremely knowledgable and compete with the best in the industry. If you present them with your sleeping specs, comfort/support needs, etc. they will be able to help you choose the best fit both product and ILD wise.

Off the top of my head, I would suggest exploring options with the following…

Arizona Premium
Sleep EZ
FloBeds
Latex Mattress Factory
Nest Bedding

It’s possible I forgot to add someone so definitely do look through our directory as well.

And, I would also suggest reading the Mattress Shopping Tutorial and the Mattress Durability Guidelines to help you as you explore your mattress options and talk with the experts.

I hope this helps!
NikkiTMU