Mattress type and firmness
Hi,
I really need some advice on a mattress, please.
I bought my current mattress from a bed shop in September last year and it is an 800 pocket sprung single mattress with a firmness rating of 4 out of 5 (5 being firmest) I weigh just over 8 stone and sleep on both my back and side. My bed base is a wooden frame with sprung slats.
I have been suffering badly with a bad back for the last year or so, mainly effecting lower back and it can often affect my hips and pelvis. Laying down and sitting down has made the pain a lot worse over the last 6 months. Because I’d mentioned my bad back to the sales guy he recommended a firm mattress for me. What he failed to tell me was that the single mattress I purchased would end up feeling a lot firmer than the double I tested in the shop.
My back pain is still being investigated for a cause but after reading a lot of info on your website I am starting to wonder if my current mattress is playing a big part in my pain. I have also been using a polyester mattress topper for a few months which sometimes helps but not a great deal.
What type and firmness of mattress would you advise is best for me? Please, can you also let me know if having a slatted bed base makes a difference?
Hi Kirsty
Thank you for your question on mattress types.
The mattress that you are sleeping on is way too firm for you as it is causing pressure point pain in your back and hips and you are quite right that a single mattress will feel slightly firmer than a double.
We have two ranges of pocket sprung mattresses, our Origins range which have man-made fillings and our Artisan range which have natural fillings. In our Origins range, I would recommend our Origins Comfort 1000 which although is classed as our softest mattress, at your body weight would actually feel more medium in the comfort layers.
| John Ryan By Design Origins Comfort | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 750gsm Very Soft Polyester |
| 2 | 500gsm Polyester Pad |
| 3 | One Inch Foam Insulator Layer |
| 4 | 1000 Spun Bond Pocket Springs |
In the Artisan range, I would recommend our Artisan Naturals which has a medium comfort layer so not too soft nor too firm but we can tweak the spring tension in this mattress and I would recommend a soft spring tension as going onto your slatted base, this will firm the mattress up again in any event.
| John Ryan By Design Artisan Naturals | Vi Spring Regal Superb | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton. | 900gsm Blended real Shetland Isle Fleece Wool and Cotton |
| 2 | Hairproof Cambric Cover | Hairproof Cambric Cover |
| 3 | 1250gsm Rebound Poly Cotton | 1200gsm long stranded Horsetail blended with British Fleece Wool |
| 4 | 1500gsm 100% Pure Mohair | 1000gsm Bonded British Fleece Wool and Cotton |
| 5 | 1600 Calico encased Pocket Springs [ 49mm ] [1.28mm ] | 1720 Calico encased Pocket Springs [48mm ] [1.28mm ] |
| Total GSM | 3950gsm | 3100gsm |
Both of these mattresses can go on to your slatted base. Please check the gap between the slats and if they are far apart, then you will need to place a piece of MDF or Hardboard over the slats to make a more solid base.
We hope the above is of assistance to you, but please do not hesitate to telephone our office on 0161 437 4419 should you require further information.
Kind regards Julie
Mattresses 
Take our mattress quiz 
Contact 
About us 
