Morning Maxi,

Thanks for getting in touch about split tension and zip and link mattresses.

You're right to seek advice as many people who are buying a new mattress choose, by mistake or misadvice, the wrong spring tension. Spring tensions are based purely on your bodyweights whereas comfort preferences (soft, medium or firm) are provided by the upholstery placed on top of the spring.

More often than not retailers and online shops list the spring tension incorrectly as the comfort preference. If you pick the wrong spring tension you will never be truly comfortable on your mattress as the support will either be excessive or not supportive enough. It is the fibres on top, whether wool, horsehair, polyester or coir for example and the way they are layered that creates the mattresses true firmness or comfort preference.

You're correct in understanding that you will require a medium spring tension, 1.4 gauge and your partner will need a firm,1.6 gauge. This can be achieved in two ways.

1. Split tension one piece mattress - where half the mattress is a medium spring gauge for you and a firm spring gauge for your partner
2. Zip and link - two separate mattresses zipped together in the middle by a recessed hidden zip

Split tensions are fine if you don't mind changing sides when you rotate and turn the mattress on each side. A zip and link can be preferable as you can keep the same side but also it completely reduces transference between sleepers. So if one of you moves a lot during the night the eco of this movement doesn't transfer across to the other mattress. Zip and links also make turning of mattresses far easier. Given our mattresses can weigh 60-80kg in a king-size it can make it far more managable for one person to turn the mattress in two halves.

The Artisan Bespoke 004 is a 100% natural fibre mattress in a true medium comfort tension. Ie the fibres give a slight sink before medium support.

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, freely and effortlessly. This is available in a king size zip and link making it a doddle to turn as although its 61kg total weight, this is split into two 30kg smaller mattresses. It is available in a double which weights 52kg.

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. It may be best to give us a call to discuss further to make sure we’re meeting all your requirements and you can either order online or over the phone when you’re ready.
If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan