Tired of Sleeping on 9 year old hammock

[phoenix]

Hi meyerba,

The first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choice … and know how and why to avoid the worst ones.

I am 5’6" and 175lbs and mostly a side sleeper, though its hard to tell when you constantly have to toss and turn to get comfortable. And I sleep pretty hot. He is 6’0" and 230lbs and a side and back sleeper. I have wide hips and side sleeping in my current predicament is causing hip, pelvic and lower back pain.

I’d love some recommendations for mattresses to try in a store so I can narrow down the search a bit.

Unfortunately nobody else can feel what you feel and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved for anyone to be able to predict which type of mattress or materials will be the best “match” for you based on a formula or specs (either yours or a mattress) or "theory at a distance (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here). For this part of your research you will need to test different types of mattresses and materials to see which ones you tend to prefer.

There is also more about the most important parts of a successful mattress purchase in post #13 here that can help you make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses but it will really boil down to testing for PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Preferences) and suitability, checking the materials inside the mattress for quality and durability, and then comparing your finalists for “value” based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

I am particularly impressed with the choices and prices from DreamFoam bedding but I do worry 3" of comfort layer may not be enough for my hips.

When you can’t test a mattress in person then the most reliable way to make a choice would be a more detailed conversation on the phone with a knowledgeable and experienced manufacturer who can help “talk you through” the options they have available that would likely be the best match for you based on “averages”.

My SO is a big guy and I get a face full of elbows all night, so a King is sorely needed. And be cause he weighs a good bit more, on a traditional mattress he created a dip that I constantly roll in to; Motion isolation is something I’m excited about.

With higher body weights I would focus more on the quality/durability of the materials. There are some foam quality/durability guidelines here that will be helpful and post #3 here also has more information that would be helpful for those with larger or heavier body types.

We are located in Richmond, VA

The better local options and possibilities I’m aware of in the Richmond, VA area I’m aware of (subject to the guidelines I linked earlier in this post) are listed in post #5 here.

Phoenix