mattress

[David A. Rowe]

Seems obvious to me that if you'd like your spine to remain in something close to normal anatomical position, the mattress had better be firm enough to provide that support, and the higher your bodyweight the more critical this becomes. But I'd like to hear any points of discussion.

I think the Japanese might be onto something. I could see where a thicker traditional mattress design could struggle holding up in the middle of someone was sufficiently heavy. I used to enjoy sleeping in the field with a good thermal mat. I tend to sleep on my stomach on a traditional bed, though.

I think the ultimate solution is to learn to sleep on your back with a thin pillow and utilize something along the lines of a thin topper that keeps pressure points from becoming a problem. Doesn't work well with a cold, though.

If my purple wears out, maybe I can talk the wife into it...

[Satch12879]

I had a Purple for about 3 years, started out beautifully and wore out.

I just bought one, plus pillows, for the new apartment. I'll let you know how it goes.

I had an original TempurPedic that lasted me 10+ years. Loved it.

[Steve Cox]

Another possible option is a Sleep Number mattress. My sister has one and swears by it but I have no specific knowledge myself.

[Jenni]

Best actual mattress I ever slept on was on the ninth floor of the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans. That thing was amazing. It was weirdly both fluffy and firm. You didn't ever really sink down into the fluff in an uncomfortable way. I'm convinced they had a really firm mattress with a comforter under the fitted sheet. Either way, they sell them. They're high but they're comfortable as hell.

Best sleep, though, was in a large recliner, a "chair and a half" we got so I could have all the dogs in the chair with me at once. It would lean back and go almost flat enough it felt like a bed but still with tilt on the back. Many a Saturday afternoon nap was enjoyed. Second most obnoxious piece of furniture I ever owned but also one of the best.

So far, in my life I've been the kind of person who can sleep anywhere. We did a futon for a while. It was nice but I never could figure out a trick to keep a sheet on it. I tell you what I miss though, is waterbeds.

[manis5]

I went on a mattress quest last year and went with the Purple hybrid mattress after reading multiple reviews saying that the original Purple mattress wears out prematurely. It seems like Purple’s answer was to create the hybrid mattress which seems to address the longevity issues. So far so good but its only been a year so it may be too early to tell.

[PizzaDad]

I had a Simmons world class innerspring. Single sided. Slept great for about 8 years. Met my wife, got married and she wanted new mattress (pretty sure it was a pissing on my leg kind of thing). it was ok for about 7 years and then Not so much. We got a Helix about 2.5 years ago. “Sleep quiz” led my wife to buy one that was suggested for side and stomach sleepers. I sleep on my stomach. Had to to get the first one replaced because it was too soft but the next one was perfect. I love getting in bed to go to sleep now. Dont know how long it will last. I believe it also has springs in it. I’m 6’2” 220 if that matters. Oh, and my experience is different than a previous poster. Knocking boots on this thing is A-OK.

[AndyJ]

My 1983 waveless water bed still works fine.

[Oso Rojo]

Seems obvious to me that if you'd like your spine to remain in something close to normal anatomical position, the mattress had better be firm enough to provide that support, and the higher your bodyweight the more critical this becomes. But I'd like to hear any points of discussion.

My wife is a chiropractor and preaches this to patients all the time. She also hammers on having a pillow that hold your head in the natural alignment you have when you are standing.

[deborahlebl]

I'm surprised to hear people hating on memory foam mattresses. You couldn't pay me to sleep on a mattress with springs ever again. I have a king size Puffy Lux. It's incredible.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'm surprised to hear people hating on memory foam mattresses. You couldn't pay me to sleep on a mattress with springs ever again. I have a king size Puffy Lux. It's incredible.

Website says that there are coils in this mattress.