Thanks for considering DLX. Both the Premier Hybrid and the LatexLux Hybrid are solid mattresses in our (admittedly biased) opinion. This really isn’t a case of good vs. bad, but more about personal preference and how different materials feel and respond.
We aren’t familiar with the Sealy Gaffney specifically. When we did some quick digging, we found very limited and somewhat inconsistent information with one reference mentioned an open coil, another showed a pocketed coil and there wasn’t much in the way of usable specs. So it’s hard to make a direct apples-to-apples comparison.
In general terms, our Premier Hybrid would likely feel closer to the Sealy than the LatexLux. Latex is known for being buoyant and resilient and you tend to sleep more on the mattress rather than “in” it. From what we could find, it appears the Gaffney may use some memory foam in certain versions, which gives more of that sinking-in feel. Our Premier does not use memory foam either, so it tends to feel more responsive and supportive rather than ultra plush and enveloping.
When comparing our mattresses to Sealy and similar major brands, one thing that often stands out is the initial feel. We don’t usually have that extra-plush, extra soft showroom feel in the top inch or so, because we use higher-density foam (around 1.8 lb). Many big brands use 1.0–1.2 lb foam in the quilting, which feels softer at first but may break down more quickly. Since we couldn’t find specs on the Gaffney, we can’t say for sure what Sealy used there and just sharing the general difference we see across the industry.
We also want to say this: supporting local, independent manufacturers like Bowles is always something we encourage whenever possible. Any mattress, no matter how well built, will show some visible wear over time, and ½"–1" of compression isn’t unusual.
One thing that often gets overlooked is everything between the mattress and the floor. The support system has a huge impact on both comfort and durability and can absolutely contribute to visible sagging. If you’re open to it, feel free to share what’s under the mattress like photos of the supports under the mattress, center supports to the floor, or links to the products you’re using are helpful. Especially with bigger folks (and we include ourselves in that category), a lot of bed frames and foundations on the market simply aren’t adequate long-term, even if they claim to support 3,000 lbs. We see plenty of products with great out-of-the-box reviews that don’t hold up over time, particularly for heavier sleepers.
Regarding the neck and shoulder pain you mentioned, neck pain is almost always pillow-related. When you change mattresses, the pillow that may have worked on the old bed often stops working on the new one. Shoulder pain is usually a combination of having enough cushioning in the mattress to relieve pressure and a pillow that’s thick and firm enough to keep your head in a neutral position. If the pillow is too thin or too soft, your head tilts toward the mattress and drives the shoulder down, which can cause exactly the kind of pain you’re describing.
Without knowing the exact specs of the Gaffney or your current Bowles mattress, it’s hard to be definitive. But based on your stats, your mix of side and back sleeping, and the fact that you do some side sleeping, we’d generally point you toward the 14" Premier Hybrid. As for Premier vs. LatexLux, that really comes down to feel preference buoyant and springy (latex) versus more traditional cushioning like the Premier.
What we focus on here is making sure consumers are educated; that means if you make this purchase knowing it could have 5 years less durability in its lifespan because you want this bed, then that’s great! As long as you’re making the purchase that meets your budget, support, and personal preference needs without having been tricked into a purchase via sales gimmicks and marketing ploys.