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Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: A Denver Expert's Guide | Sleep Basil Denver

Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: A Denver Expert's Guide

After 25 years in the mattress industry, here's how to find the perfect mattress for side sleeping without the pressure points

"I Finally Found a Mattress That Doesn't Make My Shoulder Hurt"

That's what Sarah Treadway told me after spending just 15 minutes on our Sage Pillow Top in our South Denver showroom. As a lifelong side sleeper, she'd been waking up with shoulder and hip pain for years, convinced it was just part of getting older.

"I just got a Brooklyn Bedding mattress from Sleep Basil and I'm loving it!" she continued. "As a side sleeper, I really needed something that gives good pressure relief, and they helped me find exactly what I was looking for. I love the fact that they're locally owned and genuinely care about helping people sleep better."

After 25 years in the mattress industry, I can tell you that Sarah's experience isn't unique. Side sleeping is the most common sleep position—about 74% of people prefer it—yet most people are sleeping on mattresses that create more problems than they solve. The good news? Finding the right side sleeper mattress isn't complicated when you understand the science behind it.

The T-Shirt Analogy: Understanding Mattress Materials vs. Firmness

Before we dive into specific recommendations, let me share an analogy that helps my customers understand mattress shopping. Think of mattress categories (materials) like the fabric of a t-shirt you buy, and firmness like the size.

Material preference is subjective, just like fabric choice. Some people love classic cotton t-shirts, others prefer lightweight stretchy polyester from their favorite athleisure brand. There are advantages to both, and you can find high-quality cotton or polyester shirts. Memory foam is one of the more polarizing mattress materials—people who love it describe it as perfectly contouring, soft where you want it and supportive where you need it. To others, memory foam feels like being stuck in quicksand.

Firmness is more objective, like t-shirt size. Yes, some gym enthusiasts may prefer a "smedium" shirt to show off their gains (when everyone wishes they'd just wear a large that actually fits), but generally, you use your body measurements to determine the right size.

The same principle applies to mattresses. A rough rule of thumb is:

  • Stomach sleepers need a firm mattress
  • Back sleepers need a medium mattress
  • Side sleepers need a soft mattress

Use your BMI to fine-tune these recommendations—higher BMI means you need firmer support, lower BMI means you can go softer while maintaining proper alignment.

The Science of Side Sleeping: Why Firmness Matters More for You

Side sleeping creates unique challenges that back and stomach sleepers don't face. When you sleep on your side, your body's contours become more pronounced—your hips and shoulders create pressure points that need relief, while your waist needs support to maintain spinal alignment.

The Pressure Point Problem

There's an old mattress industry saying that "firmer is better for your back," but we've found it's really about achieving straight spine alignment. When you sleep on your side, a mattress that's too firm will:

  • Create painful pressure points on hips and shoulders
  • Push your hips and shoulders too far out of the mattress
  • Cause your spine to curve unnaturally, leading to lower back, upper back, or oblique pain

The Support Balance Challenge

Conversely, a mattress that's too soft will:

  • Allow your hips to sink too deeply
  • Fail to support your waist properly
  • Create the same spinal misalignment issues

The key is finding a mattress that provides enough pressure relief for your hips and shoulders while maintaining supportfor your core and spine alignment.

Your BMI and Sleep Position: The Scientific Firmness Formula

After testing thousands of customers over 25 years, here's the firmness chart that works:

Side Sleeper Firmness Guide by BMI

BMI Range Recommended Firmness
Under 18.5 Soft (3-4)
18.5-24.9 Medium-Soft (4-5)
25-29.9 Medium (5-6)
30+ Medium-Firm (6-7)

Complete Sleep Position & BMI Chart

Sleep Position Low BMI (<25) High BMI (>25)
Side Sleeper Soft (3-4) Medium (5-6)
Back Sleeper Medium (5-6) Medium-Firm (6-7)
Stomach Sleeper Medium-Firm (6-7) Firm (7-8)

BMI and body type matter significantly. Men often have broader shoulders and struggle more with shoulder pain, while women typically have broader hips and more pronounced curves, sometimes needing slightly softer mattresses for proper pressure relief and support.

My Top 3 Side Sleeper Mattresses: What I Show Customers First

When side sleepers visit our South Denver showroom, these are the first mattresses I have them try:

1. Generations Heritage Luxury Plush - The Cloud with Support

Firmness: 3/10 (Plush)
Best for: Side sleepers who want luxurious softness without sacrificing support

This mattress is luxuriously soft while the 100% natural Talalay latex provides cloud-like support underneath. The plush Euro top gives immediate pressure relief for shoulders and hips, while the Talalay latex layer maintains spinal alignment better than traditional memory foam.

Why it works for side sleepers:

  • Natural latex contours perfectly to hip and shoulder curves
  • Maintains support for your core and spine
  • Breathable construction prevents heat buildup
  • Superior durability means consistent comfort for years

2. Gel Grid Gravity Hybrid Plush - The Floating Sensation

Firmness: 3/10 (Plush)
Best for: Hot-sleeping side sleepers who want pressure relief with cooling

The water-based gel grid sleeps cool and creates an unbelievable floating sensation—a favorite for relieving pressure points. This is better technology than Purple for half the price 😉

Why it works for side sleepers:

  • Gel grid flexes under pressure points (hips/shoulders) while staying firm under lighter areas
  • Superior temperature regulation for hot sleepers
  • Responsive feel that doesn't make you feel "stuck"
  • Advanced pressure relief technology

3. Sage Pillow Top - The Weightless Experience

Firmness: 2/10 (Plush+)
Best for: Side sleepers who want our softest option for ultimate pressure relief

If "The Princess and the Pea" was written for you, this is your mattress. Our softest option for those who want a true weightless experience with maximum pressure point relief.

Why it works for side sleepers:

  • Deepest pressure relief for sensitive hips and shoulders
  • Natural latex and memory foam combination
  • Pillow top surface eliminates pressure points immediately
  • Perfect for lower BMI side sleepers

Denver-Specific Considerations for Side Sleepers

Living at 5,280 feet creates unique considerations for side sleepers that most people don't realize.

The Left Side Advantage at Altitude

Sleeping on your left side offers specific benefits that become more important at Denver's elevation. Research from the Sleep Foundation and multiple cardiovascular studies shows that left-side sleeping:

  • Improves blood circulation: The heart pumps blood more efficiently when you're on your left side, reducing cardiac workload—especially important when your body works harder at altitude
  • Enhances lymphatic drainage: The spleen (located on your left side) filters blood and lymph more effectively, supporting your body's natural detoxification process
  • Aids liver function: Your liver (on the right side) can hang freely and secrete bile more efficiently when you're lying on your left side, improving digestion

Bonus for Colorado: Left-side sleeping helps with blood flow and may even help release those infamous "altitooties" (high altitude gas). Hopefully, your left side keeps your back facing away from the mattress—for your partner's sake! 😄

Hydration and Sleep Quality

Denver's dry climate (30-35% humidity) affects side sleepers more than other positions. Research published in Sleepjournal shows that people who sleep six hours or less have up to 59% higher risk of dehydration compared to those getting seven to eight hours. For side sleepers, proper spinal alignment and pressure relief become even more critical when your body is working harder to maintain hydration balance.

Side Sleeper Success Stories: Real Customer Experiences

Sarah Treadway's Transformation

"As a side sleeper, I really needed something that gives good pressure relief, and they helped me find exactly what I was looking for. I love the fact that they're locally owned and genuinely care about helping people sleep better. Their selection of top brands is great, and everyone there was so friendly and never pushy. Highly recommend checking them out!"

Jen P's Life-Changing Experience

"Shout out to Josh at Sleep Basil for giving me a completely curated mattress buying experience and landing me in the bed of my dreams! For the past 3 years I figured I wasn't sleeping well for various reasons (age, insomnia, etc), but it never occurred to me that my mattress was too firm—I was always told a firmer mattress is best, well... not for me.

Josh and I chatted a lot about what I was looking for and the issues I was having while trying to sleep. He introduced me to a few different options that would be best based on our consultation. I ended up purchasing a hybrid mattress through Sleep Basil and it has been the BIGGEST game changer in my life. THANK YOU, Josh for giving me my sleep back! I will be referring all of my friends and family here going forward."

Common Side Sleeper Problems I See Daily

After 25 years of helping side sleepers, here are the most common issues I address:

Shoulder Pain in Men

Men often deal with shoulder pain due to broader shoulder width. Finding a mattress that provides the right combination of pressure relief and support for your lower back is crucial.

Hip Pain in Women

Women typically experience more hip pain due to broader hips and more pronounced body curves. The mattress needs to contour properly while maintaining core support.

The Knee Problem

Quick tip: If you have bony knees like me, try sleeping with a pillow between your knees. This allows your knees to stack comfortably, preventing your spine from twisting when one knee rolls in front of the other.

Pro tip: Use a body pillow that extends from your knees to your arms for full-body alignment support!

How We Beat the Competition: Superior Materials for Less

High-quality materials like natural latex, premium memory foam, and water-based gel provide significantly better pressure relief and support than the lightweight polyurethane foams many big brands use in their pillow tops.

Our Direct Competitors and Why We Win:

Memory Foam Battle: Our Mint Medium-Soft and Black Diamond Summit Plush directly compete with Tempur-Pedic for half the price.

Gel Technology: Our Gel Grid Gravity Plush outperforms Purple at half the price.

Luxury Innerspring: Our Sage Pillow Top beats Simmons BeautyRest Black for half the price.

Premium Natural: Our Generations Heritage Plush has more premium materials and outlasts Aireloom for half the price.

Like a high-quality shirt with premium materials, well-made mattresses fit better, feel more comfortable, and outlast cheap alternatives. Big brands often make beds that feel great for the first 3 months, then start failing after your return period expires. Our high-quality materials deliver better durability and performance.

Materials That Work Best for Side Sleepers

Natural Latex

  • Pressure Relief: Contours perfectly to body curves
  • Responsiveness: Bounces back when you move, preventing "stuck" feeling
  • Durability: Maintains support for 15-20 years
  • Temperature: Naturally breathable for hot sleepers

Premium Memory Foam

  • Contouring: Precise pressure point relief
  • Motion Isolation: Partner movements won't disturb you
  • Customization: Available in various densities and feels

Water-Based Gel

  • Cooling: Superior temperature regulation
  • Support: Maintains firmness while providing pressure relief
  • Innovation: Cutting-edge technology for better sleep

Bottom line: Take some naps to find the materials you like best, then let us fit you to the right firmness based on your BMI and sleep position.

The Perfect Pillow for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers typically need a thicker pillow to fill the gap between your shoulder and neck. Men typically need thicker pillows than women because of broader shoulders. A softer mattress that lets your shoulders sink in further means you might not need as thick a pillow.

Again, we're looking for straight spine alignment. Let us fit you to the right pillow for your mattress and body type.

Popular Side Sleeper Pillows:

Technogel Anatomic Pillow

The wave-shaped contour helps support your neck without pushing your head too far up. Perfect for side sleepers who need targeted support.

Cariloha Resort Pillow

Made with natural latex and kapok silk, this pillow can be adjusted to the perfect height by removing fill. Ideal for side sleepers who want customizable loft.

Adjustable Bases: The Side Sleeper Game-Changer

For side sleepers, our adjustable bases with elevation kit can be transformative. Instead of raising just your head (which can misalign your spine), our elevation kit tilts the entire bed up to 45 degrees without bending.

Benefits for side sleepers:

  • Improved circulation without spinal misalignment
  • Pressure relief for shoulders and hips
  • Better lymphatic drainage
  • Enhanced recovery sleep

Making the Right Choice: Your Next Steps

Remember, the "right" mattress category (latex, hybrid, memory foam, gel) is subjective based on your material preferences. Firmness is more objective—use your preferred sleeping position and BMI to guide your choice.

The key insight: If you find medium-soft is the right firmness for you, we have a medium-soft mattress in every different category! The goal is finding materials you love in the firmness your body needs.

Try Before You Decide

Visit our South Denver showroom and experience the difference yourself. Spend 15 minutes testing different materials and firmness levels to find what feels right for YOUR body. We'll check your spine alignment on different beds to ensure you're making the right choice.

The Honest Side Sleeper Consultation

We'll help you understand why certain materials work better for side sleepers and guide you to the right firmness based on your BMI and body type. No pressure tactics, no one-size-fits-all recommendations—just honest expertise about what works for side sleeping.

Ready for Pain-Free Side Sleeping?

Don't let another night of shoulder and hip pain disrupt your sleep. Experience mattresses specifically designed for side sleepers with materials and firmness levels that actually work.

Schedule Your FREE Side Sleeper Consultation
Work with Denver's side sleeper mattress experts

Visit Our South Denver Showroom:
6485 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (720) 219-7942
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6pm, Sunday 11-5pm

Special Offer for Side Sleepers

Mention this article for:

  • 10% off any side sleeper mattress
  • FREE spine alignment check and consultation
  • Free delivery in Denver metro area
  • 100-night comfort guarantee
  • FREE pillow fitting with mattress purchase

Explore Our Complete Side Sleeper Collections:

Premium Side Sleeper Options:

Alternative Materials:

Essential Accessories:

Don't let pressure points and misalignment ruin another night's sleep. Experience side sleeper mattresses designed by experts who understand the science of comfortable side sleeping.

Related Reading:

Sleep Position & Materials:

Brand Comparisons:

Denver Sleep Solutions:

Expert Guidance:

Sleep Basil was founded by owners with over 25 years of experience in the mattress industry. Our hand-curated selection of side sleeper mattresses was specifically chosen to address the unique pressure point and alignment challenges that side sleepers face, especially in Denver's challenging climate.

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