Do We Need Split Firmness?
Hi,
We currently own a 9 year old “John Lewis Ortho 1200 Pocket Spring King size” mattress. My partner finds it a little hard and uncomfortable on her shoulders, I am starting to find it too soft to support my lower back properly. I suspect this is related to the age of the mattress.
We recently tried some new mattresses in John Lewis. This one stood out as the most comfortable of their “Own Range” https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-british-natural-collection-wool-5750-mattress-regular-tension-king-size/p111198313
It is rather confusing though. In store it was listed as a split tension bed with a “Regular” and “Firmer” side, with the overall rating of the feel of the bed as “Soft”. This doesn’t seem to be reflected online.
Ultimately, my partner (60kg/170cm) liked the soft side, whereas I much (75kg, 186cm) preferred the Firmer side but wouldn’t want it much softer. Neither of us liked each others side much!
I fall asleep on my back, but turn to my side during the night. My partner falls asleep on her side and stays there, other than the occasional turn!
What mattress (kingsize) would you recommend from your range?
We are debating whether we have room for a superking, as we realise this would give us both more comfort in terms of not disturbing the other whilst sleeping, but it’ll mean very narrow bedside tables!
Hope that’s all the information you need.
Thanks,
Richard
Hi Richard,
Thank you for your question. Your current John Lewis Ortho 1200 is described as having orthopedic support and a firm level of comfort. The extra firm spring tension of an ortho spring needs a body weight of over 20 stone (127 kg) to activate the springs. The firm level of comfort can cause pressure pains in the shoulders and hips of side sleepers.
The John Lewis British Natural Collection Wool 5750 is a one-sided mattress with a medium level of comfort and 2 layers of micro HD springs, which we do not use as they offer nothing in support but do take space where more luxurious upholstery layers should be, on 750 (kingsize) pocket springs for support. Online, some retailers describe a mattress ‘comfort’ depending on the spring tension. It is the fibres on top of the springs that determine how the mattress feels.
| 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) |
Given your body weights and heights, we would pair you both with the medium spring tension to provide the correct level of support. The firm spring tension is designed to support body weights between approximately 17 stone and 23 stone (105 kg and 145 kg). We would not usually recommend this level of support for anyone of your body weight as you do not weigh enough to activate the springs but as you are used to an ortho level of support you could opt for a medium firm duel spring tension.
| John Ryan By Design Artisan Tailored Pocket | |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1200gsm Blended British Fleece Wool and Cotton. |
| 2 | Hairproof Cambric Cover |
| 3 | 1250gsm Poly Cotton |
| 4 | 1500gsm Pure 100% Mohair |
| 5 | 2000 Double Tier Spun Bond Pocket Springs (Soft/Med or Firm) |
| Total GSM | 3950gsm |
Please note that the soft spring tension has been discontinued.
As you sleep on both your back and your side I would recommend the medium level of comfort which will give cushioning in the top layers for your shoulders and hips to sink in but is more supportive underneath so that you do not sink in too much when sleeping on your back. I would recommend the Artisan Tailored Pocket 2000 mattress for a similar level of comfort to the John Lewis mattress you tried in the showroom.
When you try a mattress in a showroom you will not get a true representation of how the mattress will feel as many potential customers will already have softened the upholstery layers. A new mattress will always feel firmer as the upholstery layers are compacted during manufacturing and it takes you sleeping and moving around on the mattress to soften them. We recommend turning our mattresses once a month so that the underside becomes the sleep surface, north to south one month and east to west the next. By alternating these turning positions and utilising the whole of the sleep surface will help to even out the settlement of the upholstery fibres and prolong the lifespan of the mattress.
I hope this helps and if you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419.
Kind Regards
Michaela
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