Hi Carrie,
 
Your IGel mattress is constructed with memory foam which is very heat retentive and which it feeds back to you. This is more noticeable in the summer months when the temperature is already quite warm a night.
 
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Memory foam is one of the warmer foam mattresses as it requires body heat and pressure to be able to mould to you. The coolest foam type mattress is Latex which is more durable and breathable with hybrid foams somewhere in the middle.  Naturals fibres provide the coolest sleep surface.  If you don't want to replace your mattress you could try adding a Latex mattress topper for a cooler sleep surface.
 
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

Hi Neil.

Sorry to hear you're having such a nightmare with your Bensons bed. It's hard to recommend any direct alternative from Bensons given all our mattresses are hand made and primarily natural fibres rather than synthetic. Bensons also don't give enough information about the materials used to allow us to compare properly.

I'm sure we could help you find an alternative to the Bensons model to help you out. The way to do this is to establish your comfort preferences, the problems you have with your current mattress and then using our knowledge we can help narrow you down to one or two suitable options. All without you needing to run the gauntlet of bed retailers and their sparse advice!

Reading the description I see that there is no depth of I-Gel given which also makes a comparison frustratingly impossible. I-Gel is a hybrid foam which is entirely synthetic. Some people love these foams others find they hold them in one position during the night. This is what leads to increased backache and pain for some sleepers which we believe you are experiencing. Not to mention higher heat build up with such foams making for really warm nights sleep.

An alternative to Igel Mattress

If you're wanting a Natural fibre mattress that gives a similar sink to igel or other foams but without the heat retention then we would recommend our Artisan Naturals mattress. Coming in at a price point around the same as the synthetic Igel at Bensons. This mattress comes in a variety of spring tensions and has a massive 85% of natural fibres. Far higher quality than any synthetic foam mattress. It's also 2 sided meaning you will get a far longer shelf life out of the mattress.

The spring tension of mattresses is always based on your body weight, not the comfort preference. This is where most people go wrong. See the below table for guidance on the right spring tension for your bodyweight.

Getting used to a new mattress:

It can take a good 4-5 weeks before your body adjusts to the feel of a new mattress, and sometimes people do experience aches and pains during this time, it is like not doing any exercise for a long time, and then you do a day at the gym, and you can ache. It is the same with a new mattress, if you are suddenly being supported in places that your old mattress wasn't supporting, then the adjustment will create those aches.

Download our care guide here.

Softening a firmer mattress:

Alternatively, we would consider the usage of toppers to give you additional elements of comfort which in turn should reduce your aches and pains, whilst your mattress settles below.

Try this Laygel mattress topper, which is the softest topper we create, and see what difference that makes to the mattress.

Hope this helps.

John and Ryan.