Mattress Talk: Man’s Handbook to Bedding

What's a Murphy bed or a polymer grid?

Written by Emilie Allen

[Feature image by Talk About Sleep]

You’ve officially reached adulthood when you begin to take your mattress and bedding into serious consideration. Congrats.

Long gone are the days of hand-me-down mattresses on the floor of your fraternity house. You remember, that one with no bed frame, or comforter, or concern for the respectability of your living quarters? Chances are you’ve come a long way on the bedding front, or at least we really hope so. So here’s the ultimate bedding and mattress guide.

Why Invest in a Mattress

Not only does a high-quality bed communicate your immaculateness to whoever may encounter it, your mattress directly affects your health.

A low-quality or overused mattress can contribute to:

Neck and back problems
Joint pain
Insomnia
Low-quality sleep
Higher stress levels
Allergies

Getting restful sleep is vital to mental clarity and productivity in your daily life, so if you’ve been contemplating an upgrade to your sleeping situation, you’re on the right track. There are plenty of ways to be mindful of budgeting, but when it comes to your bed, it’s really worth the investment. You spend a third of your life there after all.

SO WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS?

Best Mattresses

Polymer Mattress

This is the latest, and supposedly greatest. P0lymer mattresses claim to have science on their side.

The pioneer of this mattress technology, Purple Mattress, explains it as being composed of an optimally engineered grid structure, which can support or fold depending on the pressure it receives in any given location. Translation– this mattress instantly adjusts to you, no matter your sleeping position. It offers the best support, regardless of whether you’re a back or side sleeper. What more could one ask for from their mattress?

Polymer mattresses are best for:

People concerned with getting a good night’s sleep
People who move around a lot when sleeping

Memory Foam Mattress

Tried and true, these mattresses never run out of demand.

You may not be able to jump on the bed without knocking over a glass of red wine, but the other claims of Tempur-Pedic, Casper,etc. about pressure relieving comfort stand true. They range from medium to soft levels of firmness, which works great for back or side sleepers.

Memory foam mattresses are best for:

People who love melting into their mattresses
Couples who share a bed

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are constructed with a layer of latex embedded within. This increases longevity, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it for up to 20 years.

That layer also adapts with your body to align the spine and relieve pressure points. Latex mattresses tend to be the best for side sleepers because they provide a bit more “give” to contour curves. The latex is also more durable, so increased pressure won’t cause these mattresses to lose their shape. There are many popular brands of latex mattresses, but one with particularly great reviews is Zenhaven.

Latex mattresses are best for:

People who sleep on their sides
People whose beds experience a lot of movement

Adjustable Mattress

What more could you ask for? This. The adjustable mattress takes customization to another level by offering a control system for fine-tuning.

The most notable brand in adjustable mattresses is Sleep Number. They allow you to personally tailor the firmness and position, and then they assign you a number. After having your standard number, you’re free to make all sorts of creative adjustments at whim. You can always make your way back to that magical number at the touch of a button.

These mattresses are ideal if you’re someone who likes to do everything in bed. Whether it’s propping up to do write emails or to have a snack, you can roll right back down at the hit of a button. Also, if you share a bed with your significant other, each of you can have custom settings for your respective sides. Save yourself the argument over optimal firmness.

Adjustable mattresses are best for:

People who work, read, eat, and watch TV in bed,
Couples who share a bed

Best Bedding and Frames

There’s more to your bed than just your mattress. These innovations are sure to enhance your sleeping experience.

Multi-functional Wall Beds

Short on space? If you’re currently living the millennial lifestyle in a studio apartment the size of a shoebox, a wall bed, also known as a Murphy bed, can be a game changer for maximizing your space. These bed frames pop out when it’s time to slumber and retract right back to the wall when you’re ready to go about your day. How’s that for a life hack?

Murphy beds are best for:

People with limited space

Young professionals

Cooling Sheets

Constantly flipping your pillow to get to the “cool side?” These sheets are for you. A company called Sheex has come out with highly breathable sheets with moisture-wicking technology, similar to that of athletic wear, so your sheets will be endlessly refreshing.

Cooling sheets are best for:

Summers and hot
humid climates
People who sweat while sleeping

Eco-friendly Bedding

Sustainability is deservingly a hot topic in all different aspects of life. So naturally (pun intended), your bedding is no exception. Eco-friendly bedding is great for both you and the environment because it is made organically without pesticides or other toxic substances. Some companies with organic bedding options include Grund, SOL Organics, Coyuchi, and Alterra Pure.

Eco-friendly bedding is best for:

People who are health & environmentally conscious

People who are prone to allergies

Don’t Do It: Water Beds, Futons, and Inner Springs

It’s best to leave these behind, along with your flannel Batman sheets.

What do you like to sleep on? Let us know in the comments below.

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