My wife and I want to replace our old queen-size Sealy Posturepedic Reserve Holly Springs Cushion Firm Mattress. She is 260 lbs and a side sleeper. I am 235 lbs and a side and back sleeper with some hip pain. We would like another queen, or possibly a king. We don’t have a budget, but we do not want to spend $4-5K+, We would love to keep it under $3k. After reading articles here and testing mattresses locally, we are a little overwhelmed. Any suggestions on something that would be similar to our old mattress?
thanks
Hi phllm47,
Welcome to the forum.
When it comes to legacy brand mattresses, it seems the older they are the better they were. At the time you purchased your Sealy, it may not have been merged with Tempur yet. I had purchased my Sealy Posturepedic prior to the merger, myself, it only lasted 11 years (compared to my Serta Perfect Sleeper which lived for 25 years, prior to the Sealy). Unfortunately, prioritization of corporate profit over old fashioned quality it the name of the game for many larger, international companies.
There are a few smaller companies out there that are making traditional style, one and two sided mattresses you might consider.
The DLX Premier Hybrid (my friends just replaced their 2019 S&F Cassatt- it gave out in almost 5 years - with the DLX PH) is a great option that allows you to tweak the comfort layer right from the start, or after the fact. The comfort layer can be split, for individualized comfort, or incorporate a single comfort layer to accommodate both of you, as you likely have been experiencing with your current Sealy. The cover/panel layer will offer enough cushion even with the firmer comfort layer. They also make a latex version of this mattress too. @DLX would be happy to discuss those needs further.
Engineered Sleep has the Duo series that offers a similar concept of individualized comfort for each sleeper. It is just facilitated a bit differently with the flipping of the core layer of the mattress, but does allow for changeable comfort layers as well. The folks @EngineeredSleep can even customize mattress options to taylor to specific needs.
Backscience makes some interesting and comfortable mattresses, with feels similar to the traditional legacy mattresses, but with better thought out designs, modifiable lumbar support and a heck of a trial and warranty. @BackScience Dr. Rick, a chiropractor who designed these mattresses is always happy to help pinpoint what is best for you preferences.
Some key points to consider is be certain you have a rigid, sturdy foundation. If a slatted foundation, something like this new offering from Mattress Foundations available with and without feet, is what I call the “Tank” of foundations. If you are looking for a bedframe with headboard, @EuropeanSleep bedframes are as solid as they come, solid as a rock and you can stand on these frames and they dont budge.
The foundation is an important component as part of your bedding system, and will be key as to how long your mattress will last, beyond the build of the mattress itself.
Your pillow selection is another component that will ensure you are properly aligned and get a great night’s sleep. I have written about it here.
You can certainly run out to your local macy’s, bloomingdales or furniture store and test some mattresses. It is an easy way to eliminate what is too soft. The issue will be longer term durability. Knowing the specifications of the mattress can help guide you in the right direction. One bad layer of foam, or more than 1" of lower quality foam, can cause a mattress to fail in short order. Memory foam, if you choose a mattress that incorporates it in the build, should be at the very least 3.5-5lb density. HD Polyfoams should be no less than 1.8lb, unless it is used as a base under your coils, 1.5lb would be acceptable.
When shopping for a mattress, questions about these components, should be asked and answered competently. Otherwise, you may be running into an inexperienced sales person, who may not understand your needs and preferences based on your body profile and sleep positions.
The Trusted Members here at TMU, are all seasoned experts, who see folks like you every day and can address the your personal preferences, posture & alignment, and pressure relief needs, without skipping a beat.
Hopefully this gives you a head start on your new mattress journey.
Maverick
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Thanks, @Maverick for the mention! I couldn’t agree more on the importance of support. Everything between your mattress and the floor matters—and it’s often overlooked. A lot of bed frames look nice on the outside, but they skimp on what actually supports the mattress. Then the mattress takes all the blame! While the materials in the mattress are very important, the quality of the support system underneath directly impacts how supportive and comfortable your bed feels over time.
@phillm47 Based on the information provided, there’s a good chance we can get you comfortable on one of our mattresses. Considering your height and weight, and assuming your current mattress is a firm model with an open coil (based on what we could find), we’d recommend our 12" LatexLux in Medium. It stays within your budget and has a firmer, more supportive feel than the 14" version. (The 14" is our most popular model and is great for side sleepers.) But since you’re coming from an open coil design, the firmer coil unit in the 12" makes more sense for you.
If you have the space and budget, I highly recommend going with a King. That extra room makes a big difference—think about it: on a Queen, each of you gets just 30" of space, while a King gives you 38" each—the width of a Twin bed. Imagine trying to sleep on something 8" narrower than a Twin every night!
One downside of a King is that it tends to develop a “ridge” in the middle where no one sleeps—this can happen with any mattress, even those made from the most durable materials. That section stays firm while the areas where you sleep get softer, which can make the mattress feel uneven over time.
Here’s a pro tip: rotate your King mattress 90 degrees once in a while. Yes, it’ll hang off the sides by a couple of inches—but doing this for a week or two every few months helps you break in that unused center section and distribute wear more evenly. It’s a little unconventional, but it works.
Feel free to reach out if you’d like help navigating the options or understanding the materials inside. We’re always happy to chat!
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Thank you both for the information and input. I will check these recommendations out!
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I would be happy to chime in and give my perspective as a Doctor of Chiropractic and mattress designer for over 20 years. I definitely understand the need for a new mattress for you and your wife, but it is crucial that you get one that is a great fit for both of your needs. Given that your wife is a 260 lb side sleeper and you’re a 235 lb side and back sleeper with some hip pain, and you’re looking for something under $3k and likely on the firmer side, though without being too hard, I would strongly recommend taking a look at our Back Science Series 2 mattress. Here’s why I think it could work well for you both:
Designed for Spinal Alignment in Multiple Positions: As a Doctor of Chiropractic, proper spinal alignment is my top priority in mattress design. The Series 2 features our patented Lumbar-Flex Zoned Support system. This is specifically engineered to provide targeted support to your lower back and hips, which can be crucial for alleviating your hip pain, especially when you’re on your back. It also ensures proper spinal curvature for your wife as a side sleeper.
Balances Support and Pressure Relief: We understand the importance of pressure relief for side sleepers. The comfort layers in the Series 2 are designed to offer enough cushioning for your wife’s shoulders and hips without compromising the overall support needed for both of you.
You Can Fine-Tune the Feel: One of the unique advantages of our Back Science mattresses is the GripLock modular zipper cover. If, after sleeping on it, either of you finds it’s too firm or too soft, we can send you additional layers that you can easily add or swap out to customize the comfort to your individual preferences for a minimal fee.
Built for Durability: We use high-quality materials in the Back Science Series to ensure long-lasting support and comfort.
Sleep on it Risk-Free for a Year: We know buying a mattress online can be a big decision. That’s why we offer a 365-night sleep trial. You’ll have a full year to sleep on the Series 2 in your own home to see if it’s the right fit. If it doesn’t work out, we offer free customization options, exchanges, or a full refund.
As a member of The Mattress Underground, you can receive a 10% discount on any Back Science mattress by using the code TMU10 at checkout on our website: www.BackScience.com.
I encourage you to check out the details and customer reviews on our website. If you have any specific questions or would like to discuss your situation in more detail, please don’t hesitate to call us at 800 667-1969. We’re here to help you find the right sleep solution.
Dr. Rick Swartzburg, D.C.
Founder and Head of Product Development
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