Split mattress for bad backs and allergies? How to get a mattress of two halves.

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for getting in touch and the kind words about our website we really appreciate such feedback. It's a labour of love to help provide expert content to help cut through the chaff of mattress sales tactics.

In terms of choosing a mattress for two different sleepers that can be achieved by either a split tension or zip and link mattress. This enables two different spring tensions to be chosen.

You also need to know the spring gauge of the pocket springs to and then choose the correct tension based on your bodyweight. Pocket springs are made for weight ranges so you need to know which gauge, 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 is suitable for your body weight.

Zip and links are some times prefered as they further reduce transference between sleepers and it makes for turning a mattress far easier. You can read all about zip and links here.

Advice for a mattress for bad backs:

Bad backs can be a tricky subject. The majority of mattress retailers push very firm supportive orthopaedic mattresses. Even though chiropractors have long reversed this advice in favour of choosing the best support unit for your bodyweight which is both comfortable and supportive. Ie not using super solid mattresses.

You need to look for a mattress that has enough support, from a tailored spring tension and also deep comfort layers. With a bad back, you need to sink slightly into the mattress before the support. This is known as the bed 'conforming to your spine'. Rather than a super firm orthopaedic mattress where your 'spine conforms to the bed'. This is where people have the most issues.

All of our mattresses follow this principle.

How does a mattress feel?

With any new mattress, you really need to know the GSM (grams per square meter) to be able to see how the mattress feels and whether its good value for the price. This is why we detail exactly what’s in our entire mattress range so you can see inside to make an informed decision. It’s worthwhile remembering that the mattress comfort is always provided by the upholstery and not the spring unit. So if you know you prefer a firmer feel mattress then you need to choose fibres that have firmer properties. When we grade our mattresses via comfort feels this is due to the upholstery.
We have a handy list below:

Mattress for Allergies:

Allergy advice is also a murky area with mattress buying which can further confuse consumers. It goes without saying that if you know you are allergic to say latex, that you should therefore avoid a latex mattress. However, if you just have 'general allergies' to say dust or dander then this can be better treated through mattress maintenance. Ie weekly cleaning and monthly turning.

There is a big exercise in selling 'hypoallergenic' materials. Which are usually just synthetic polyester. These are inert but this still doesn't mean that you won't suffer from bedroom dust or other air bourne allergens in your bedroom. When looking for a hypoallergenic mattress, read this as polyester.

Our Origins mattress entry range feature some 100% synthetic 'hypoallergenic' models or you can browse the Artisan Natural Fibre mattress range for the very best of the best.

As a starter for ten please look at these two models to get you started.

Ideally, we need to know your bodyweight and height to advice on a specific model but please take a look at our Origins Pocket 1500 in a zip and link model. It’s a true medium feel in the upholstery later and comes in a 1.4 medium gauge pocket spring support. Ideal for sleepers up to 16 stone.

It also has a wool top layer for better breathability and is two sided.


Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress
1: 300GSM WOOL
2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER
3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD
4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER
5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS
TOTAL: 1550GSM
DEPTH 30-33CM

Next up have a look at our Artisan Bespoke 004 in the spring tension suitable for your bodyweights. It's a hand made 100% natural fibre mattress that is two sided.

It has a medium feel in the natural upholstery with a forgiving top layer. Great for pressure points and bad backs. The 1600 individual pocket springs allow restless sleepers to move quickly, easily and effortlessly.


Artisan Bespoke 004 Mattress
1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON
2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER
3: 200GSM SOFT BAMBOO
4: 1200GSM PURE HORSETAIL
5: 1000GSM BONDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON
6: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [ 49MM ] [1.28MM]
TOTAL: 3600GSM
DEPTH: 27-30CM
CHEMICAL FREE COVER

We hope that helps and gives you further mattress buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan