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Some background: Our IKEA mattress was getting old (12 yr) and worn out. While I seemed to sleep fine, my gf wasn't too happy with it. I agreed a new Mattress would be a good idea, but I dreaded searching for the right one. We went into SleepCountry (popular here in the northwest) and ended up going home the same day with a Simmons Beautyrest Truenergy (specifically the Bryanna Plush Eurotop). We narrowed it down to that one and another Truenergy that was slightly firmer (which I liked better, but the gf did not), but ended up choosing the softer one. As soon as we got it delivered, it felt a lot softer than it did in the store, so I was skeptical...too soft. The first night sleep was horrible; I was tossing and turning all night because I couldn't get comfortable (we are both back/side sleepers). It felt as if I was sleeping on a partially inflated air mattress (ie my hips were sinking deep into the mattress). In the next nights it got better, but I can't say I was getting the best sleep...I felt like I slept better on the firmer IKEA mattress we had. We've just passed day 30 on the mattress, and we're both still up in the air about it. We are sleeping "okay", but definitely better than the first night. We slept on some different mattress since the new one (at relatives), and those nights were bad (where in the past, they were fine). I'm thinking we are use to the super soft mattress now? But does that mean the soft mattress is better? I'm having a difficult deciding because it seems like whatever mattress we choose, our backs will adjust to it...so then how do we decide which one is best? You know those mornings when you wake up and are super comfortable...as if you never moved throughout the night? Yeah, I haven't had one of those yet with this new mattress. Even when I am dead tired most of the time (stay up late, wake up early), I've never had that feeling. What makes me even more skeptical is that when I try to sleep in, I can never get comfortable after I am well rested. It is as if our bed is uncomfortable and when I'm tired I don't notice it. It's almost to the point when I want to video tape during the night to see how much we move around. Anyways, we have 100 days from purchase to return the mattress if we're not happy. We're contemplating going back for the other, firmer, Truenergy that was our other pick. Any words of advice or experience would be greatly appreciated! This was my worst nightmare when it came to selecting a new mattress. For the money we spent on it, I want to make sure we get one that is best for us! Sorry for the wall of text! |
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I'm no expert, but it sounds like it does not provide enough support... too soft. Reaading about it... and it's not certain what 'it' is in the mattress industry... it sounds like it is memory foam on pocket coils. And since you chose the 'Eurotop plush', it probably has extra soft layers on top. Also, now that your body is sore, you may be noticing that your relative's spare beds are not so comfortable... i.e. you'll notice sleeping a few nights on them. The basic mattress functional model is comfort layers over support core layers. The comfort layers contour to and cushion your body, relieving pressure points and distributing your weight a bit over the support core layer. The support core layers hold up your weight so that you do not sag and strain and become eternally internally sore. The most basic support layer is the floor... but a mattress support layer can do better than that by allowing your weight profile to settle at points to keep your spine relaxed and naturally aligned. The holy grail is a bed system that does this well... but they are each approximations and each sleeper can have differing needs. A poorly matched mattress can be self-defeating... too much Eurotop comfort can isolate a lighter weight sleeper from getting the support they need... they sag in the comfort layer. Often the cheap overstuffed comfort layer fails after a few years, leaving you in body set holes of discomfort. Sometimes the support layer defeats itself... I have a problem with pocket coils not being linked... one coil (or a few coils) under your heavy hips is going to depress far so that your hips/lower back sink, while neighboring coils are free to hold up the surrounding comfort layer. This will appear to be contouring to your body... it is geometrically... but the upward coil forces are not graduated across neighboring coils like with an innerspring mattress (or foam) where the coils are wired together... one coil going down pullls neghboing coils down, reducing their upward force on the comfort layer and your body. This disparity in pocket coil response can make for a support layer that can be overloaded by point loads (load mismatch between your weight and a given pocket coil) and then overloads the comfort layer above from below, pushing up at your body. All sort of self-defeating as I see it. The comfort layer can sort of spread point loads across the pocket coils to even their loading, but if the comfort layer is memory foam and warms up and softens, then the whole experience is going to degrade through the night. Final word... you cannot improve a too soft mattress with poor support core layers. So, get a firmer mattress... shop for the basic mattress functional model of comfort layers over support core layers. Press down with open hands and arms apart to 'see' the comfort layer; push down with fists together to 'see' the support core layer. Don't buy anymore comfort layer than you need; make sure the support layer holds your spine aligned in back, side, and front sleep positions. GK |
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Wow! Excellent advice! I really appreciate it...everything you said makes sense. Yes, the Truenergy is memory foam on pocket coils. So in the past, I could sleep anywhere (relatives, hotels, etc) and not have any issues. But now that my body is accustomed to the super soft mattress we have, any deviation from that (ie a firmer matress) makes for tossing and turning all night. I did actually have one night when I slept on the floor with just my 1" thermarest camping mattress, and had a good night sleep.
I think you hit on the head, here. We are both lighter weight sleepers (I'm 6' 175, she is 5'5" 130), and what you describe is exactly what I feel is happening; there is too much comfort layer so we aren't really utilizing the support layer underneath. The other Truenergy we were contemplating over had slightly higher gauge springs (so, firmer support layer), and a little bit thinner comfort layer. I think we should have gone with that one instead. We'll head back to the store and do some more shopping, but a firmer mattress definitely seems like the best remedy.
Thanks again! |
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jstluise wrote:>> >>I did actually have one night when I slept on the floor with just my 1" thermarest camping mattress, and had a good night sleep. Yes, at least the suppport is there albeit with a very minimal comfort layer via some calculated deflation. I often prefer a good night's sleep on my Thermarest vs. enduring a worn out guest mattress, despite any minor surface discomfort. >>We are both lighter weight sleepers (I'm 6' 175, she is 5'5" 130), and what you describe is exactly what I feel is happening; there is too much comfort layer so we aren't really utilizing the support layer underneath. Likely so. >>The other Truenergy we were contemplating over had slightly higher gauge springs (so, firmer support layer), and a little bit thinner comfort layer. I think we should have gone with that one instead. We'll head back to the store and do some more shopping, but a firmer mattress definitely seems like the best remedy. I think you are on the right track. GK |