I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this. I am in berkeley ca and haven’t been able to try either of these beds. This site has been so helpful as I look for a mattress. I have narrowed down my search to two options.
I am trying to decide whether to get the brooklyn bedding signature hybrid full size for $636
Specs for medium firmness vs firm
Medium firm:
4" 3.5lb TitanFlex Comfort Layer - medium 18ILD
2" 3.5lb TitanFlex Transitional Layer - Firm 28ILD
Firm:
4" 3.5lb titalflex comfort layer firm 28ILD
1" transitional foam
Seems like the medium is a better buy because it has 46 combined ILD
OR go with a mattress from Bay Beds. For $750 I could get 2 polyfoam layers one 36 one 24 ILD.
I am sure I want a mattress with coils, rather than a solid memory foam mattress. I do not want to use latex because my partner has an allergy. I know the latex would be encased but she’s so allergic I don’t want latex in my home at all. I like that with bay beds I could replace the foam (rather than the whole mattress) because the cover comes off. At the same time, I’m in a transitional moment in life - I may not be able to hold onto a bay bed for several decades (there’s a chance I’ll move abroad.) In which case saving the $100 now and buying the Brooklyn Bedding mattress (which I hope would last me 6-8 years) would make sense. But maybe you think the BB specs are actually terrible. I have read a lot on this site but don’t feel I have the most solid grasp. Thanks for your thoughts and guidance!
Welcome to the TMU Forum ! Thanks for your question.
[quote]I am in berkeley ca and haven’t been able to try either of these beds. This site has been so helpful as I look for a mattress. I have narrowed down my search to two options.
I am trying to decide whether to get the brooklyn bedding signature hybrid full size for $636
Specs for medium firmness vs firm
Medium firm:
4" 3.5lb TitanFlex Comfort Layer - medium 18ILD
2" 3.5lb TitanFlex Transitional Layer - Firm 28ILD
Firm:
4" 3.5lb titalflex comfort layer firm 28ILD
1" transitional foam
Seems like the medium is a better buy because it has 46 combined ILD
OR go with a mattress from Bay Beds. For $750 I could get 2 polyfoam layers one 36 one 24 ILD…I like that with bay beds I could replace the foam (rather than the whole mattress) because the cover comes off.
[/quote]
Congrats on your mattress shopping journey :cheer: ! Good job on the research you’re doing, looks like you are close to making a decision. Happy to hear you are considering Bay Bed & Mattress,one of the trusted members of the TMU who is quite experienced and knowledgeable. If your preference is to have an innerspring mattress with removable layers, Bay Beds is worth looking into, you can ask them questions directly here at the general forum. Also a perk, all of our trusted members offer a small discount of their products to TMU consumer subscribers making at least one forum post. Looking forward to hearing more on your research.
The update so far is that the Aurora is a world better for my lower back, I’m only a week in, and I have some other concerns, but it’s a huge step up so I’ll continue the trial and let yall know.
Congrats on your new mattress purchase :cheer: ! Thanks for the check-in, good to hear that your lower back is resting better. Looking forward to hearing more updates as the sleep trial period progresses…
So, the new BB Aurora mattress seems to be good for my lower back, but im now having issues with my upper back, specifically between my shoulder blades. Im thinking this might be pillow related? I have a 3 year old memory foam pillow, which when new was used with an innerspring mattress that had a pillow top. Had no issues then, and due to the overwhelming issues I had when i switched to a pure memory foam 2 years ago, never considered my pillow as contributing to my problems. Although in retrospect i did have the same pain between my shoulder blades then. I dont believe I had issues with my upper back as much with the previous BB signature mattresses, but if i did they were overridden by the lower back issues. So i think im going to try a couple of pillows, maybe the my pillow and one of those curved memory foams. I am a side and stomach sleeper by habit, but over the last few years have trained myself to sleep more on my back. So i’ve read that it can benefit you to have different types of pillows and in different places. Im going to try and avoid the stomach position, and mainly do side and back with these new pillows and see if it doesnt improve the situation.
Thanks for the updates on your new BB Aurora mattress, good to hear that your back comfort situation is improving :cheer: ! A bit about the discomfort between your shoulder blades/ upper back area: generally speaking, side sleepers need a loftier, more firm pillow to keep their head and neck raised up and aligned, back sleepers need a little thinner pillow with some support under the neck, and stomach sleepers need the thinnest flattest pillow of all to keep their head as low as possible. Many people are combination sleepers and pillows that can be “scrunched” (feathers, down, shredded latex or shredded memory foam and many other materials) can help with this because they can be puffed up when needed on the side and flattened or molded when needed on the back or stomach. You can check out Phoenix’s thoughts regardingpillow personal preferences, as well as more onpillow materials in these posts that may help in your pillow shopping research.
I would suggest that just as you would test a mattress for gaps in your spinal alignment, try the same test with your pillow: while laying on your side on the mattress and using your current pillow, ask your wife to take note of your positioning. Your hips should sink in, your shoulders should sink in and your spine should form a relatively straight line, with the resulting angle of your neck also following (a pic of this for you to see would be a good reference too). Your alignment when you are lying down should be very similar to when you are standing up straight with good posture. Filling in the “gap” between your head and shoulders with your pillow … especially for side and back sleepers can make a big difference in how you sleep and in the alignment of your neck and head and other areas as well. You may also find Five steps to your perfect mattress- Support and spinal alignment an interesting read as well. Of course, these are just some thoughts for consideration, only you can “feel” what you feel in terms of pillow comfort and support. You may even ask BB for their recommends as most manufacturers offer products that compliment their component designs best. Looking forward to hearing more of your updates .
Has anyone tried the Casper hybrid? I can’t seem to find the density of the foams they use online… which is questionable. Thanks (it’s currently on sale for $700 CAD).
I took a bunch of notes when looking at stuff recently.
1.5" of ?? PCF Polyfoam
1.5" of 4 PCF Memoryfoam
1.5" of 2.5 PCF Polyfoam
6" of ??g Pocket Coils
1" of 1.8 PCF Polyfoam
The red things were things that I wasn’t able to find in some quick searches.
.
I went to a Casper store in the mall, and asked them. The employees were VERY unhelpful. All they ended up doing was pulling out a tablet and going on google when I asked them for those missing numbers.
Eventually, I found the numbers…but I don’t recall what they were - I never saved my excel sheet after finding them.
I tried the original Casper Hybrid back in June 2019 and it was very nice. I had to return it because it wasn’t supportive enough on my lumbar spine; but it was very comfortable otherwise. I am a side sleeper and my shoulders and upper back and neck felt great, it was the spinal support that was lacking. I just ordered the all foam Casper Wave and I am being told that it offers spinal support and so I am really hoping so. I slept cool on the Hybrid, loved all the other aspects. So the Wave all foam is supposed to be more supportive and yet allow for side sleeping comfort and sleep cool. Here’s hoping.
Hi Phoenix!
I’m not sure where our previous comments went, but I remember what was said!
As for my previous/current mattress, it is a Sealy Copper Mountain, it may be one of the original models, as I can’t find information on it online. It is a bennel coil with a pillow top. Like I mentioned before, it feels like the coils have given out, and provides little to no support in the back. I have tried to figure out how to show this, and the best I can do is put a series of weights on the bed, as seen here.
So, as previously mentioned, I talked about the two main beds I have been looking at, the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora, and Helix Luxe Twilight, I have more information about them to ask about.
I have also looked at the Nest Alexander Signature, as I know it is built by the same folks who build Brooklyn Bedding mattresses.
As for the specs I have been looking at the “firmer” options of the respective mattresses, as that seems to be better for someone with a higher BMI such as myself.
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora:
3.5lb 12ILD Titan FlexFoam with Phase change material
3.5lb 36ILD TitanFlex foam
3lb Swirl Visco Elastic Foam
612 Ascension X™ pocketed coils Not zoned 15 Gauge
Helix Luxe Twilight:
1.5 inch memory foam on the top layer 2.5lb
1 inch gel visco. 2.5lb
1 inch firm polyfoam 2.5lb
756 support coils
Perimeter, Top + Bottom: 88 coils (16 gauge, 10 turn fabric encased coils)
Perimeter, Sides: 188 coils (16 gauge, 10 turn fabric encased coils)
Head + Foot: 260 coils (14 gauge, 5 turn fabric encased coils)
Center: 220 coils (17 gauge, 10 turn fabric encased coils)
So, as posted here It seems that since I have a higher BMI, around 38 I need more support, hence the firmer models. The Brooklyn Bedding has higher density foam, but less coils, and they are not zoned. The Helix has less dense foam, which may not hold up as long, but has zoned coils, and more of them.
Looking at the previous posts about the Helix, it seems they changed the materials used, so I am not sure that helped too much, however, seeing people talking about their hips sinking on the Aurora has given me a slight pause. What are your thoughts?
As you and some of our regular consumer subscribers have noticed, we currently have a few “orphaned” post comments hiding from view and are working hard to correct the problem. The TMU forum is undergoing some site improvements and we’ll be talking more about those soon. Phoenix and the TMU team are working in the background, adding updates and once the other posts are restored, we will be back with the previous comments as well as review your question.
Hey everyone, I wanted to first thank you all for having this resource available, as I would have probably been spinning in circles much longer than I have been while trying to make a purchase of this nature. I have had my current mattress for over a decade, and it is at the point where someone, upon sitting on it said that it felt like there was a “void” in the middle. I think it may explain my back pain and headaches, so I need to get a new one.
To start off, I am looking at getting a twin, I am about 5’ 10" and about 265lbs. I sleep on my side and back My budget is around $1000, though it is somewhat flexible with the budget and financing.
I started searching for a mattress, going to stores and whatnot, however, COVID-19 caused it all to shut down before I could go everywhere in town. However, I was able to narrow down some things by going to stores. I think I prefer a hybrid over a pure foam bed. I was not able to try a latex mattress out, but I am worried, as in my younger years I would have a reaction to pool floats, so I am not sure if I would have a reaction on a latex mattress, I am more than willing to try it though.
Honestly, I am not sure how long I will be using this mattress, as I hope to move and need a bigger mattress in the near future, but with everything going on, who knows.
As for what I have found, I have narrowed it down, I think to one of the Helix Luxe, either midnight or dusk. I have also seen the Brooklyn Aurora mentioned a good deal.
I know, generally what they are made of, and would seem to be similar to hybrids I have tried in stores.
Again, I am more than willing to try a latex hybrid mattress or one that may be more environmentally friendly, but as I said, I am worried about potential reactions.
What do you think of the mattresses I mentioned? What others should I be looking at that may be of better quality?
Also, sorry, forgot to mention, in regards to the Helixx options, they have zoned lumbar support with their coils, does that make that much of a difference?
We are glad to have you with us on The Mattress Underground. You’ve definitely come to the right place!
If you are sinking more than before, this could be the reason for your lower back issues (sinking in too deeply and not providing adequate alignment). But this is a generalization and without seeing your product and how it performs I can’t be too specific in my conclusions.
In your case, the high 38 BMI presents special challenges and generally requires firmer materials (in the support layers especially). This could be firmer latex or innersprings (the type of support component would be a personal preference and in the right design either could be suitable) or even a zoned construction. The same overall guidelines apply with higher weights though that PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) along with using high-quality durable materials that will maintain their feel and performance for longer periods of time are the way to make the best choices. Heavier people, in general, will need firmer and thicker comfort layers and firmer support layers than those who are lighter and because no materials will last as long with much higher weights the quality and durability of the materials and components is even more important than normal. I wouldn’t “rule out” any types of mattress and base your choices on your own personal testing. It is worth reading Post #3 has more information and suggestions about mattresses for heavier weights.
As a brief synopsis, higher BMI ranges will need more durable materials and components in a mattress and in a BMI range of 30 or higher I would include any 1.8 lb polyfoam or 4 lb memory foam as a “lower quality/density” material (relative to a higher BMI only) and minimize their use to a total of “about an inch or so or less” in the mattress. For polyurethane foam, if your mattress is one-sided then I would look for 2.0 lb per cubic foot density or higher. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum density of 1.8 lbs per cubic foot or higher. For memory foam (or gel memory foam), if your mattress is one-sided then I would make sure that any memory foam is at least 5 lb per cubic foot. If the mattress is two-sided then I would use a minimum density of 4 lbs per cubic foot.
Considering a hybrid foam over an all-foam mattress is a personal preference, but I would not take the foam or latex out of the equation only because you are not sure if you would have a reaction on a foam mattress for several reasons. 1 you may not actually be allergic to the mattress foams or latex (the products you are considering have foams) and 2. You may find that the feel of latex is something you like very much. I am not sure what you may have reacted to in the past with the pool floats but typically they are not made of the type of foams used in a mattress or latex rubber but are made either of vinyl or from closed cell foam, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which It’s a form of plastic. Here is an excerpt from an interesting article from American Home Shield.
You were saying also that …
[quote]As for what I have found, I have narrowed it down, I think to one of the Helix Luxe, either midnight or dusk. I have also seen the Brooklyn Aurora mentioned a good deal.
I know, generally what they are made of, and would seem to be similar to hybrids I have tried in stores.[/quote]
I am not sure what you’ve read since you found our site but the two main areas of focus when purchasing a mattress are: 1. determining how long you will sleep well on your mattress and then 2. how well you sleep on your mattress. The first thing to focus upon is learning about mattress componentry and how to go about selecting a mattress. To do that, I recommend that you start by reading the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice … and perhaps, more importantly, know how and why to avoid the worst ones. I know that the COVID restrictions now make it difficult to go out and test mattresses, feel of materials and support levels you may need but I’d say that as with such an important purchase in terms of wellbeing I’d make sure that you take your time and do not leave stones unturned. When the companies do not list on the density or layer thickness, I’d first try to find this by email and chat directly from the company or try to find if other stores or consumers that have these specific mattresses have this detailed information listed. Once you determine the detailed specifications and check them against the mattress durability guidelines for a 30+ BMI, you can make a determination as to how long you will reasonably expect to sleep well on this mattress … or feel free to paste them and I or any other TMU expert or moderator will be happy to comment upon them.
Brooklyn Aurora has been previously discussed in Post #13 here that you may wish to look at.
specs for Helix Luxe mattressHere are some provided in May 2019 by another consumer. Also may wish to have a look at an older post of a high BMI consumer’s experience with Helix Luxe.
Generally, what" to choose in terms of either a mattress or the balance between comfort/pressure relief and support/alignment that may be suitable for a specific person is always up to the only person who can feel what they feel on a mattress and best left to personal testing and your own experiences or more detailed discussions with the more knowledgeable people at the retailers or manufacturers that sell a mattress you are considering. We are all very unique in what we each need and prefer. Some field testing would greatly simplify your search and help you make the best possible choices, but I’d make sure to find out exactly what is in the mattress, layering and densities in terms of on suitability, durability, and consider them against all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for).
I’m looking forward to finding out where your mattress journey takes you … and of course, any additional comments or questions you may have along the way that I or any of the Expert members of the site can help with.
Thank you Sensi for your detailed reply, i purchased a firm my pillow and it seems to be working well. After several months of wishing, im finally faced with the sad truth that while the Brooklyn aurora firm is the best sleep ive had in 2 years+ its still not good enough to keep. I have numb/soreness issues with my right leg that persists all day, and the longer i sleep (8 or 9 hours vs 5 or 6) the worse my back feels when i wake up. Still worlds better than my budget memory foam or Brooklyn aurora matresses, but not worth the money. I need something that leaves me in 0 pain.
Initially i had shoudler pain from side sleeping, but a memory foam topper seems to have solved that.
So ive contacted BB again to see if they think i should try the medium firm, or just move on to another company. As the previous poster said, Covid makes matress shopping basically impossible in store, so my next thought if i dont try BB medium, is to look into savata or purple? After seeing the former charges a fee to return it, im less inclined to give them a try, but a good purple matress is pricey.
Welcome back to the TMU forum and thanks for the update .
I’m sorry to hear that you continue experiencing on-going back and leg pain issues still after the past several mattresses you have tried. We’ve been chatting back and forth regarding your discomfort since your earlier days of a painful memory foam mattress and unsuccessful attempts to find something more like your preference of a pillowtop innerspring mattress.
Congrats on solving the shoulder pain with the additional memory foam topper! Which one are you using and what do you like about the “feel” it adds to your current mattress?
Indeed, the COVID19 situation currently prevents store visits in most areas of the country for good reason: to lower the risk of exposure to virus. Understandably, you must be extremely frustrated, given the time and research you have spent seeking a solution for better sleep. That said, you still face the same challenges of “testing” a product sight unseen. Consider a resource offering consulting support during the research process, a generous sleep trial period and free exchanges/ returns within a reasonable period. As you mentioned, Saatva charges a $99 fee for an exchange/ return within a 120 day sleep trial period, while Purple offers one free comfort exchange or return during their 100 day sleep trial. Both companies have customer service lines for helping you make choices among their products. You may also want to search the TMU forum to see what other consumers are saying regarding these brands, there are posts out there on both Saatva and Purple.
As far as whether you should exchange your current BB mattress for a different firmness, I would rather not comment on what would be “better” for you in terms of PPP, a uniquely individual experience; however, you do have a fair idea of what their mattresses have to offer given the ones you’ve recently tried. Looking forward to hearing more as you continue your research and be safe out there… .
I am not sure this is the right place to ask for advice but it seems fitting and I cannot for the life of me find out how to post a new topic.
I need advice choosing a mattress.
I’m 5’11 280 lbs with wide shoulders.
I am mostly a side sleeper but also a back sleeper (I would say 70/30).
I sleep alone.
I usually prefer softer feelings beds but I need support. I would rather it be a cool mattress but it isn’t a big deal if it’s not. Not a fan of all foam, looking for more of a hybrid feel but could go with anything really.
I have been looking at several beds and would like your input on them and if you think they are quality or a good fit for me. If you have your own suggestions or need more info feel free to ask.
Here are the beds I had my eye on :
Winkbeds Luxury Firm
Winkbeds Plus
Helix +
Helix Twilight Luxe
Purple Hybrid 3 (or 4 if need be but it is expensive)
Nest Bedding Alexander Signature Hybrid (Medium or luxury firm)
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora
I see there are allot of brands on here that are not usually reviewed on the usual popular sites. I am open to any suggestions for those brands also or any that would meet my needs.
I want to pull the trigger pretty soon since my current bed is causing me lots of back pain because it provides no support at all.
! Thanks for your question.