Hi adamseals,
As you already know … a combination of side sleeping and stomach sleeping is one of the most difficult combinations to deal with because the needs of each are completely opposite. Stomach sleeping needs a thinner/firmer comfort layer to help prevent sleeping in a swayback position and the back issues that can come with it while side sleeping needs a softer/thicker comfort layer to accommodate the need for better pressure relief in this position. Normally the best option in this case is to use the thinnest/firmest comfort layer that provides “just enough” pressure relief on your side but no more. Including materials in your mattress that can be both soft and also supportive as you sink into them more (such as latex) may also be helpful. Of course this will also vary with individual weight and shape and each person’s tolerances to pressure relief and alignment issues.
Some comments about each of your choices follow …
- Tempurpedic TEMPUR-Cloud:
While this model is among the thinnest memory foam comfort layer of all their models (2.8" of memory foam) … it also includes the Tempur ES which is the softest and allows you to sink in more deeply than higher density memory foam. This in combination with your slimmer body shapes (which can use thinner comfort layers) is the most likely reason it “didn’t work” for you.
- Tempurpedic TEMPUR-Contour:
This has a thicker comfort layer (3.6") which would be a little more “supportive” (when compared with the ES memory foam but not with other materials) but even denser memory foam can still often lead to alignment issues because over the course of the night you can still sink too far into the material so even though you may start off the night in good alignment … as the memory foam “relaxes” (this is called foam “creep” and viscoelastic materials do this more than other materials) it can allow you to sink in deeper. This too would likely be a little on the thick side for a stomach sleeper. As it went through the initial softening period, this could become a bigger issue as well.
- Comfortaire Bella:
IMO … an airbed is generally the worst choice of all because air is either “completely compressed” or “not compressed at all” and there is no gradual change from one to the other so it is poor at adapting to different positions. There’s much more about the pros and cons of an airbed here (mostly cons).
Tempurpedic RhapsodyBed
This may have been an OK choice but it would come with it’s own set of challenges. While I don’t agree that it would not allow you to sink in enough (and it still may be too much) … the HD foam certainly would feel firmer at first because it needs time and heat to become as soft and conforming as it can be so initially or with movement it can feel firmer than it really is. This one too could be a little on the thick side with 4" of memory foam … even though some of it is denser.
-Tempurpedic Bellafina:
While you didn’t mention this one … it may also have made a good choice. It only has 2.8" of memory foam (the 5.3 lb tempur material) but has latex underneath this and then the support layer. The latex would be more adaptable in terms of being supportive in different sleeping positions and that along with the thinner layer of memory foam (less to sink into over time) may have made this the best choice of all.
-Revolution iComfort by Serta:
My thoughts on many of the iComfort lineup including the Revolution are in post #11 here. I also think that the softness and thickness of the Revolution comfort layers (5.75" and it is cose to the softest of the lineup) would likely be too thick and soft for you in the long term … and particularly as it softened.
-Glen Oaks Comfortpedic by Simmons:
This mattress includes 3" of 3.5 lb memory foam which IMO is too much low quality (low durability that will soften much more quickly) memory foam to even be considered as a realistic option at this price level.
Bear in mind that each person will interact with each mattress in different ways and that all of this is “theory” and thoughts about different layering and how it may affect you. Only your own experience can be completely accurate for your individual circumstances. Bear in mind too that memory foam will go through an initial more rapid softening period over the first few weeks which is followed by a more gradual softening over a much longer period of time so what feels “right” in the store may not feel as good or perform quite as well in a few months.
In terms of where to go next … your experiences can be very valuable but I would tend to use them by going in a different direction and work with someone that may be more knowledgeable about different materials and constructions than just memory foam. As you probably know from reading some of the information on this site the best odds would be a local manufacturer that sells factory direct or a sleep shop that has knowledgeable people that sells alternative or local brands that use higher quality materials at better value.
Overall … I would probably tend to suggest “thinner than average” layers of memory foam for your circumstances which would be much “safer”. If this thinner layer was on a very firm support layer though (which would be helpful for your alignment) … it may feel too firm because the thinner memory foam layer would not isolate you from the firmness of the support layer enough for side sleeping (although it would be better on your stomach). Because of this … a “transition” layer in between the memory foam and the support layer that could help with both the extra softness that may be necessary on your side and the firmness that would be helpful on your stomach may be a good idea. Latex would be a good choice here (although a high quality polyfoam could also work well) because it can be soft with initial compression but gets firmer much faster and can be more supportive with deeper compression and is more adaptable to different positions. Latex can also make a great comfort layer in it’s softer versions but it has a much different feel and is more responsive than memory foam so this would also be a matter of preference. It may be worth including in your research though.
Some of the better choices in Houston are in post #2 here
Hope this helps and if I’ve forgotten anything … let me know.
Phoenix
PS: I should also mention that a pillow that is suitable for a particular sleeping position or combination of sleeping positions can be very important for alignment and with neck and upper body issues can play a vital role that is at least as important as the mattress. A pillow that “works” on one mattress may also not work as well on another that allows for either more or less sinking in (which changes the amount of the “gap” between your head and the mattress that the pillow has to fill in to keep you in alignment).