I’ve organized my post with goals & stats first, background information second, and questions/concerns after. I’ve probably provided too much detail, but I did that so that you’d hopefully be able to pick out whatever details are actually important to help me… Feel free to skip whatever details you don’t need, I won’t be offended, lol.
Goals: Lots of bounce for sex, no “sunken” feeling, cooler temp. I would love to get sufficient support without extra supportive pillows (lumbar & body pillows, details in “Background”), but I can live with them if it would mean giving up on any of the other goals. I already know I don’t like memory foam… it’s too hot and I especially hate how it just kills momentum.
Sleep Habits & Stats: Primarily side, often back (probably 70/30). Currently no long-term S.O., but I often have company.
- My body: Male. 5’11", ~165 lb. Tall torso, short legs. Slim-ish hips and slimmer waist. Average shoulder width for my height… if there’s a range, I’m likely on the higher end.
- Companions’ bodies: Female. Usually: 5’2" to 5’6", 100-120lb, curves, mostly side sleepers
- Cuddling: Probably 50/50
Background: Preferred firm my whole life, so I bought firm/med-firm spring in 2010. A couple years later, added a 3" Novaform ComfortLuxe Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper (sells only at Costco) for added comfort. Around 2015, began getting back pains (not major pain, but fairly often). In 2017, began using a lumbar pillow & putting a long pillow between my knees. Instant relief, no more back pain. But now the bed’s getting old and the frame squeaks too much during sex. The bounce is less pronounced, the topper might be sinking a little too much, and it can get pretty warm. I’ve read a ton here, and despite being one of those “damn Millenials” who only shops online (seriously, I get booze & mixers delivered), I’m guessing I should really get out to a store… though I wonder if my concerns can really be worked through by laying down on some beds for a couple minutes…
Thoughts & General Questions: Based on my goals, I can’t imagine a better option than a hybrid w/ latex. My concern is with the comfort layer: currently, when I lay on my side, my lower back gets no support–it just drops and I can feel the strain on my spine. Considering my topper is already 3", but still requires the lumbar pillow, I’m worried that 3" might not be enough… but then I’m worried that a thicker layer might interfere with the bouncy benefits provided by the coils. It’s not like I have an hourglass figure–my waist isn’t 3" less-from-center than my shoulders. Would the Ultimate Hybrid provide sufficient support? Which ILD should I opt for? Dunlop sounds like a better fit, but Talalay sounds like a better product, so what about that? (Side question: I used to use one of those contoured memory foam pillows, but I move around in my sleep so much that I would wake up with my head half-off the pillow, at a terrible angle, which led to neck pain. I recently switched to these gel pillows because I’m allergic to dustmites, and my neck is all better now, but the pillow is super warm. Would latex pillows help me, or would I also be susceptible to the head-half-off problem?)
Eco Sleep vs. Ultimate Hybrid: I know the Ultimate Hybrid has higher quality coils, but the site also says that they’re firmer than the Eco Sleep’s. I like firm feeling coils, and bounce is a priority, but I also want lower-back support if possible. The Ultimate Hybrid’s coils have those 3 different zones, implying there will be additional lower back support… but wouldn’t my hips also sit on the firmer part too, and wouldn’t that negate the benefits to my lumbar?
Ultimate Hybrid vs. “DIY”: Before TMU discounts, the Ultimate Hybrid is currently being offered for $1,395, but if I put together the same components from the DIY section of the site, it totals out to $1,032/$1,053
- $395.00 - Combi-Zone Pocket Coil in King
- $338.00 or $359.00 - 3" topper in King (Talalay vs Dunlop for price difference)
- $299.00 - 11" Wool & Bamboo Mattress Cover
I feel like I must be missing something. Is there an additional item missing from the list? Or are those actually the exact same components? Does the warranty or shipping work differently (I’m in CA)?
If you’ve made it this far, thank you! All of my research so far has me wanting a hybrid from Arizona Premium. Some of the bed-in-a-box guys seem interesting, too, but I just get this feeling that AZ provides a better quality-per-dollar. Brooklyn Bedding is reasonably priced ($919 for a Signature in King with a great return policy) but I’m concerned about their poly foam & the fact that they’re no longer members here. Oso seems really interesting, but Reverie has pulled Oso for “product updates”. Everyone else seems to be either much more expensive with slightly more benefits, more expensive for the same stuff, or similarly priced with inferior stuff.