Hey there, crazymat27.
Let’s take a look.
First, you and your wife have different sleeping preferences—she’s a stomach sleeper, and you’re a side sleeper. My approach is to prioritize her needs first. There are a couple of ways to do this, but most stomach sleepers prefer a firmer surface, so let’s start there.
When it comes to stomach sleepers, they need sufficient firmness and support. Without it, they end up straining their back throughout the night. You mentioned your BB Bamboo Bliss mattress, which I’m not too familiar with, but that’s not a big deal for now. After 10 years, it’s natural that both of you may have gained a few pounds and your preferences might have changed. Additionally, it’s possible you’ve slept on something more comfortable at some point, which could have influenced what you’re looking for now.
I also want to address the common “vacation mattress” scenario. You know, the one where you sleep on a mattress while on a trip to the Bahamas or Dubai, and it feels like a dream for a week. It may be tempting to think it was a game-changer, but honestly, it probably only stood out because it was firmer or softer than what you have at home. I don’t give much weight to those experiences. My wife and I don’t travel extensively—just three or four long weekends a year—and we’ve never slept on a mattress better than the one we have at home, even at 4.5- to 5-star hotels. In fact, we look forward to getting back to our own bed to ease our back pain. We’re in our early 60s now, and that wasn’t an issue 10 to 15 years ago. Age definitely plays a role here.
I’m not surprised your mattress is ready for retirement after 10 years. That’s totally normal. If it were a Shifman, ViSpring, Custom Comfort, RoyalPedic, or a high-quality latex mattress, your would expect it may have lasted longer, but it would have cost more upfront. While a higher-end mattress might provide better longevity, it does not always guarantee better comfort or fit. Plus as we get older our needs and comfort can change, so there is always that possible scenario.
Given your size and weight, both of your body’s needs a mattress that provides strong robust support. A firm latex mattress or one with thicker gauge springs (13–14 gauge) would be ideal. There’s always debate about the specifics of springs—how many, how they’re arranged, number of turns and so on—but when a manufacturer uses 13.5 gauge springs, it’s typically an indication of a reasonably firm support system.
For reference, I’m 6’0” and 220 lbs (down from 250+ two years ago), and my wife is 5’4” and around 135 lbs. We sleep on the BB Plank Luxe, which is one of the firmest mainstream mattresses available. Despite it being “off-label” use for us as side sleepers, we prefer a firmer mattress, and love how firm it is. It’s exactly what some review sites claim is a bad fit for side sleepers and even BB might not recommend, but we make it work just fine.
There are a lot of great options in the $1,200–$3,000 range nowadays. For context, I was considering a $10,000–$14,000 Shifman before I took a chance on the BiB Plank Luxe. Every review I read about its firmness and dual sided profile, drew my curiosity closer and closer, until I just dove in.
As @NikkiTMU mentioned, companies like @Sleep_EZ or other latex specialists offer great mattresses that strike a balance between support and pressure relief for side sleepers. Additionally, these folks can customize and prioritize each of your preferences.
The @BackScience series 1 or 2 could also be good choices. The Series 2 would be the better option for you, and its lumbar support insert would be particularly beneficial for your wife as a stomach sleeper.
Two versatile manufacturers from TMU—@DLX and @EngineeredSleep—offer split internal options. Their base mattresses are supportive, and when paired with a split comfort layer, it could be a winning combination. Both brands provide three different foam comfort layer options: latex, HD polyfoam, and memory foam. I would recommend sticking with latex or HD polyfoam for the best results.
As you explore options online, BB, now part of the 3z Brands family, offers a variety of choices across its sister lines. The Birch line, an all-latex hybrid, is a bit more luxurious than their more affordable EcoSleep line. They also make one call the Heritage, this one is only available at certain authorized retailers. If interested in that one, let me know, I can connect you with someone who sells them.
The firmest in their lineup is the Plank Luxe (I’m not a fan of the all-foam Plank, though it may feel firmer initially, it tends to lose its firmness and lacks good edge support). The Plank Luxe is a two-sided mattress, with a 2" comfort layer (1.8lb HD foam, 36 ILD) and a quilted cover incorporating an additional 0.75" of 50 ILD foam, giving a total of 2.75" of comfort above the spring support on the firmer side. I rotate mine every 3 months, and after two years, it’s still, firm and flat.
I’ve experimented with various toppers, from a 2.5" malouf latex alternative to a 3" organic wool-filled topper. I believe a topper extends the life of a mattress, whether you’re using it to maintain the mattress’s initial firmness or to add more pressure relief and contouring.
Another mattress from BB to consider is the Titan Plus Elite. I tried it at the Vegas trade show in August and ended up ordering one for my guestroom. It shares the same spring support system as the Plank Luxe (8" vs. 6" on the Plank, but both use 13.5 gauge springs), but its comfort layer feels like a luxury premium mattress. It offers excellent support with a nice balance of cushioning and is very nice to sleep on.
I hope this gives you some good options to consider. Let me know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Maverick
