Mattresses are expensive, and they’re designed to last us for a long time. If you have a plus sized body, like myself, you need to think about comfort, durability and also proper support, to ensure you’re getting good quality sleep, protecting your physical health and to save you money from having to replace an inadequate mattress in a short period of time.
Importance Of High Density Foams And Strong Coils
When you’re buying a mattress as a plus size person, the material strength really matters. High-density foams resist deep sinkage, and they hold their shape for longer, making sure you spine is supported all night, every night.
Hybrid mattresses give you the comfort of a foam mattress but with a strong coil core. Hybrid mattresses for heavier people use heavy-duty coils, or high-gauge coils to give you a firm and stable support, whilst the foam upper layers give you pressure relief for your joints.
Look for specific features like 5 lb/ft³ (or higher) foam density and reinforced coil systems, giving you extra-thick foam layers and stronger coils for better durability.
If you prefer the idea of a memory foam mattress, look for a high-density memory foam rather than the thinner very soft foam layers. Memory foam cradles your body, without trapping you in one place, especially if it sits on top of a thicker coil core, or firmer support memory foam.
Edge Support And Why It Matters More Than You Think
The edge support of a mattress affects how much of the mattress you can safely use. With weak edges on a mattress, it can make sitting, getting in/out, or sleeping next to the side feel a little unstable.
Mattresses that have individually wrapped coils, or a reinforced perimeter will give you the best edge support. You want the sides to feel firm and supportive, to help prevent sagging at the edges over time.
Edge support on a mattress also affects the durability and the value. If you have a mattress with poor edges, it’ll feel cheaper and wear faster.
If you’re testing a mattress in store, sit on the edge and lie down near the side. Check if the mattress holds you up, or if it collapses.
Cooling Features And Temperature Regulation
If you can, look for a mattress with active cooling features, especially if you get hot whilst you sleep, or if your body mass raises heat build-up.
You can get cooling covers, a gel foam, breathable coils or phase-change materials to help move heat away from your body.
Foam mattresses can make you feel hotter during the summer months, so consider how hot you get when you sleep.
Choosing a hybrid mattress with coils and cooling comfort layers are best. Coils improve the airflow, whilst gel-infused or latex layers add cooling and pressure relief.
If you suffer with back pain and extra weight, look for a mattress that is labeled for heavy people, but also lists temperature-neutral or cooling features.
For heavier side sleepers, look for pressure relief plus cooling, with a balance. Softer top layers are going to cushion your shoulders and hips, over a supportive (and breathable) base.
Hi, my name is Gemma, and I’m the owner of MakeupMuddle.com. I’m a true beauty obsessive, and love writing about anything to do with beauty – I have been a beauty writer since 2012.