So I have this puffy royal hybrid. I could send it back for the third time, or... Frankenstein

[Ih8myb3d]

Alright. First post here so forgive me for any incorrect etiquette. I’ve been going through a nightmare with mattresses since 2020. During the pandemic I ordered a puffy lux which I wasn’t feeling great on, so I returned it within the trial period and instead upgraded to a royal hybrid(the hybrids had just become available). Everything was okay for a bit, but the mattress ended up having defects that caused the foam to deteriorate. It became very unsupportive and started falling apart. Contacted puffy, who sent out a replacement mattress. Fast forward 2 years and I’m back in nearly the same position with the exception of the mattress falling apart (ironically the first defective one was still more comfortable at this point).
So…I contacted puffy, to which they responded to send pictures of the mattress with weights on it to show support differences, etc etc which I could certainly do and receive a replacement, but the issue is that it’s becoming apparent that this is an endless revolving door. I’ll hand it to puffy, they do actually honor their warranty but this would become my 4th mattress. I’m at the point where I’m considering using the pocketed coil base for a latex diy. I would have happily gone for the warranty replacement BUT I noticed that they have changed the design of the mattress recently to one which does not allow for removal of the mattress cover as all the previous models have had.

I’ve been mulling over the idea of replacing the support layers(~6") with a 3" Dunlop layer topped with a 3" talalay, or something akin to that so that I could get a similar height mattress and simply put it all in to the original topper and carry on. I wouldn’t be able to do this with a replacement from what I can tell as it is not a removable cover.

Does anybody have any knowledge or experience with puffy? Possibly any recommendations on what could be used on top of the coils to create a medium/medium-firm Frankenstein bed?

[Maverick]

Hi Ih8myb3d,
(very clever) and welcome to the Mattress UnderGround! You’re officially an affectionately known MUGster!

Holly schmolly, what a journey you’ve had with that Puffy! It’s caused you to huff and puff yourself (sorry, I know it’s not funny, but hopefully we can lighten up a bit at this point!).

I totally understand your concerns about “Frankensteining” a mattress. One thing is true: a mattress is only as good as its weakest layer. While you may not have confidence in the puffy foam layers, there could still be uncertainty about their spring layer, which might lead to more headaches down the line.

If you’re considering a DIY approach with a pocketed coil base, keep in mind that any inconsistencies in the support layers can affect your overall comfort. Using a reliable support layer, like those from @PCS, could definitely be worth the investment, especially given your recurring issues. It might be more effective in the long run than piecing together layers that could potentially cause more problems.

Regarding your question about Puffy, it sounds like their recent design changes could complicate matters. If you’re set on going the DIY route, make sure to choose layers that complement each other in terms of firmness and materials. A combination of Dunlop and Talalay could provide a nice balance of support and comfort, but just ensure that the base layer is up to par.

If you decide to go through with the DIY, keep a close eye on how everything works together. It can be a trial-and-error process, but hopefully, you’ll find the right fit that brings you the comfort you deserve!

I strongly recommend consulting with folks like @Arizona_Premium, @Latex_Mattress_Fact1, or someone trustworthy in your area to collaborate and guide you in selecting the best combination of foam layers and support. There are nuances that sometimes make it not so simple as just throwing a layer of Dunlop here and Talalay there and hoping for the best. For some, this can work, but for others—especially those who have had comfort and longevity issues in the past—professional help may be better.

Even if Puffy were to send you a brand-new mattress and you dismantled it for parts to do a DIY, there’s no guarantee that the spring support layer would be appropriate for your needs. It could be like taking the insole or footbed from one sneaker and putting it in another; if the pronation is wrong for you, and the insole doesn’t match the rest of the sneaker’s design, it could lead to a painful experience.

Perhaps @Arizona_Premium or @Latex_Mattress_Fact1 may have a different perspective on this. My suggestion is to build it from scratch.

All the best,

Maverick

[BlueSkyWanderer56]

I am really surprised to see this kind of post - I actually have a Puffy Royal Hybrid and it’s been amazing for me. Was kind of surprised to read about your issues because mine has been exactly what I hoped for. I did a ton of research, read through so many reviews before buying, and that was the reason why I purchased it. Perfect size, super comfy, and honestly zero regrets.

The best thing is that it’s not fiberglass made, and even though it took some time to break in, now it’s good - getting better every day!

[Maverick]

Hey there BlueSkyWanderer56,

Thank you for your input. Glad the mattress has worked out for you. Like the saying goes, there is a hat for every head. As long as you are comfortable, you rotate your mattress, use a mattress protector, comfortable sheets, you should be perfectly fine. It is wonderful that it has worked out for you.

It is always helpful to add your height and weight, sleep position and preferences, so others can benefit when making their selection. It will not be the definitive characteristics, but will allow others to make comparisons.

Additionally, it is made in the USA, so they should be fairly consistent on their build quality.

Maverick

[CozyConnoisseur]

Reading this was definitely eye-opening. That whole ‘Frankenstein’ idea caught me off guard! I’ve had a different experience with Puffy, though. I got the Royal Hybrid a couple of months back, and after a bit of breaking in, it’s been great for me and my wife. The warranty worked fine for us, so I haven’t run into anything like what you described.

[Maverick]

Hi CozyConnoisseur,

Welcome to MattressUnderground!

It’s great to hear that your Puffy mattress has worked well for you so far. It sounds like you’ve had a positive experience with it, and I’m glad things have been going smoothly for you and your wife.

As you can read, everyone’s experience with mattresses can vary. Sometimes a mattress doesn’t feel right at first, other times it takes a little time to break in, and unfortunately, there are instances where a mattress just doesn’t work out. Many times the choice of mattress wasn’t the right choice from the start, other times a particular choice just becomes one destined to repeated failure. What everyone needs to be mindful, it does’t make the company or the particular mattress a bad one, it may be an outlier of a specific situation.

What’s really valuable is hearing from people like you and @BlueSkyWanderer56 who have had positive experiences. Feedback like yours helps others not only in choosing the right mattress, but also in understanding what kind of company support they might expect if needed.

Thanks for sharing your story—it’s helpful for others as they make their own decisions!

All the best and continued comfort on your Puffy Mattress.

Maverick

[Ih8myb3d]

Yea, it’s been a bit of a confusing situation admittedly. This is our 3rd puffy; we bought an original lux, then returned it for the royal hybrid. The royal hybrid ended up being defective which was warranty replaced. Currently using the second royal hybrid which now has issues with sinkage that I am in the process of filing a warranty claim on…

It’s a really big bummer if I being honest. I’ve been wanting to enjoy this mattress for a couple years now. Despite taking all the precautions, rotating the mattress, proper base frame, etc…still getting unlucky and having issues.

I want to reiterate that puffy has been extremely good with customer service throughout the entire process. The company DOES honor their warranty(provided that it is a legitimate claim) & has been very responsive with follow up & response. I am not saying that they are in any way a BAD company or have a bad products. It just so happens that I am experiencing an unusual string of events.

[Ih8myb3d]

Do you have the newer model of the puffy, by chance? The royal hybrid I have is the previous iteration that has the removable cover.

[BlueSkyWanderer56]

Yes, I purchased it a few months ago, and it’s been working great. No complaints!

[Ih8myb3d]

That might be the issue, then. I have the royal hybrid that was being used circa 2022 that has the original removable mattress cover. I noticed that they made a significant change to its design(aesthetically at least).

This version(in my experience) has consistently led to deterioration of support, resulting in a firmness that I would rate at maybe a 3. My Fiancée who is 115lbs & 5’5 is unable to lay on the mattress & have proper postural support. As a 6’3 180lb person, I sink in to the mattress straight to the base support layer where the pocketed coils are. This is recurrent across both the warrantied mattress as well as the replacement received.

I’ve ordered a cheap hybrid mattress to use until I can figure out what is going on as it has become painful to sleep on.

Would you mind sharing how long you’ve used your mattress & your body type/sleeping position? This one seemed okay for the first 6 months or so before we began to notice a slow decline in support.