Loaf top dog mattress too firm - what's the alternative?
1 answers
0 comments
Hi There,
We recently purchased the Loaf Top Dog mattress after reading your review. Both my wife and I sleep on our front and I am also a particularly warm sleeper. After reading your site extensively we thought firm would be best.
However, on sleeping on the Top Dog loaf for a couple of weeks we are finding it too firm.
We are getting the feeling it is 'digging in' to our ribs.
What would you recommend as an alternative? Our previous mattress was the Staples Durham 3000 pocket sprung mattress which was medium-firm and we loved it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Gavin P.S your site is excellent!
Morning Gavin,
Thanks for getting in touch about your Loaf mattress and also your kind praise for our mattress website!
The Loaf Top Dog mattress is a well-made model with some decent fillings. We've written about it extensively here and it's dual spring layer construction method. It very much sounds like you've fallen for the 'spring tension' trap and confused the spring wire gauge with the comfort feel.
This happens to a number of people where you pick the spring tension ie soft, medium or firm and believe this will impact the comfort feel of the mattress. When in fact it has little bearing.
The spring tension should always be based on your bodyweight, see the table and video guide below. Unless you're over 17 stone then you shouldn't need a firm spring tension (very few sleepers actually do). For front sleepers you need firmer upholstery but the corrects spring tension for your bodyweight. If you go to firm then your shoulders will get pushed back and your ribs forward, for an awkward nights sleep!
| Bodyweight | Spring tension |
|---|---|
| Upto 16 Stone / 50-101kg | Medium (1.4mm) |
| 16 Stone / 101kg Upwards | Firm (1.6mm) |
| Available in Bespoke Products (Please Call) | Soft (1.2mm) |
It sounds from your sleeping position as a front sleeper that you may need more comfort layers on top of a change in spring tension so the mattress is slightly more forgiving. If you're a warm sleeper then natural fibres are a must as they are breathable and high wicking, whereas polyester and foams are not.
| Upholstery Layers | Loaf Top Dog Mattress | Artisan Tailored Pocket 2000 | Loaf Perfect Mattress | Origins 1500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1200gsm Superloft white fibres (Synthetic) | 1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool & Cotton | 200gsm super loft white fibres (which they describe as being microfibre) | 300gsm Wool |
| 2 | 1000gsm Cotton | Hairproof Cambric Cover | 500gsm Silk | 750gsm Soft Polyester |
| 3 | 1000gsm Cashmere & Silk (No blend percentage given) | 1250gsm Polycotton | 200gsm Cotton | 500gsm Polyester Pad |
| 4 | NA | 1500gsm Pure 100% Mohair | 1100gsm Polyester | One Inch Foam Spring Insulator |
| Total GSM | 3200gsm | 3950gsm | 2000gsm | 1550gsm |
| Springs/ Support | 2200 Synthetic Pocket Springs (No gauge given probably 1.4 Medium) | 2000 Dual layer spun bond Pocket Springs (Soft, Med or Firm tension) | 1400 Synthetic Pocket Springs (No gauge given probably 1.4 Medium) | 1500 1.4 gauge Spun bond Pocket Springs |
| Sides | 2 Sided | 2 Sided | 1 Sided (can't turn) | 2 Sided |
In terms of the Staples mattress, this medium-firm feel will relate to the comfort layers, not the spring tension, which is maybe why it was more suitable! It would have come with a 1.4 spring gauge as standard for that description. I'd recommend you take a look at our Artisan Tailored Pocket 2000 for a comparison model, in the appropriate spring tension.
You can always call us for more help.
We hope that helps Gavin and if you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.
Sleep well
John & Ryan
Newsletter
Enter your email to join our newsletter. We’ll send you occasional news and mattress expertise.