Do I really need a “firm” mattress for back pain?

Not necessarily. Real back-pain relief comes from neutral spinal alignment—pressure relief on top with a supportive core underneath. Too firm creates pressure points; too soft lets hips sink. Aim for balanced support that keeps your spine level.

What firmness should I choose for my body type?

Match firmness to body weight and sleep position. Many people do best on Medium to Medium-Firm. Lighter bodies tend to prefer Medium; heavier bodies often need Medium-Firm to keep hips from dropping. Side sleepers usually want a bit more plushness than back sleepers.

How does Denver’s altitude and dry climate affect back pain at night?

At 5,280 ft with low humidity, cooler, more breathable builds help reduce tossing and muscle tension so you recover better. Look for moisture-managing covers, open-cell foams, Talalay latex, gel technologies, or hybrids that move air and maintain alignment.

Memory foam, latex, or hybrid—what works best for back pain?

All can work if they keep you aligned. Memory foam offers deep contouring and pressure relief (watch heat). Talalay latex is buoyant and breathable, supporting without a stuck-in feel. Hybrids pair coils with foam/latex for lift, airflow, and edge support—great for alignment and easier movement.

Lower back pain vs upper back pain—do I need different mattress traits?

For lower back pain, prioritize a core that prevents hip sink—Medium to Medium-Firm with zoned or lumbar reinforcement. For upper back/shoulder pain, avoid surfaces that are too firm—use plusher comfort layers so shoulders can sink while the midsection stays supported.

What common mattress mistakes make back pain worse?

Choosing a mattress that’s too firm, ignoring sleep position or body type, shopping on price alone, and overlooking alignment. The goal is pressure relief plus stable lift to keep hips level and the spine neutral throughout the night.

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About Sleep Basil - Denver's Performance Mattress Store

Sleep Hard, Play Hard. That's the Sleep Basil philosophy. We're Colorado's performance mattress store, helping active Coloradans—runners, hikers, parents, and professionals—get the recovery and real rest they need to feel their best. With over 25 years of mattress industry experience, our locally owned Denver shop offers a curated selection of high-quality mattresses designed for people who care about performance and better sleep. We're not a traditional mattress retailer. We provide personalized consultations, cutting-edge sleep solutions, and unparalleled customer service to ensure you find the perfect mattress for your active lifestyle. Experience the Sleep Basil difference.

Co-Founder & Visionary

Josh Chudyk

Josh has over 15 years of experience in the mattress industry. With roles spanning from manufacturing, to sales and management. His roles in direct sales to consumers, as well as participating in design builds of mattresses and pillows, has given him a unique insight into the needs of the consumer and how that correlates to available materials and design capabilities that a manufacturer has to offer. Armed with this insight, Josh has set out to create the perfect mattress.

Through Sleep Basil, Josh has set out to eliminate the goldilocks syndrome, rescue the princess from the pea, and make sleeping something we look forward to - restoring your dreams and giving your body and mind the rest it needs to chase whatever adventure awaits.

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Co-Founder & Finance Brain

Phil Lotterhos

Phil is the former owner of Urban Mattress in Boulder. After he sold it in 2016, he spent the next several years focusing on music and graduated with a masters in jazz piano at DU in 2022. Now striking a balance between mattresses and music, he’s happy to co-own Sleep Basil, help support others in getting a great night’s sleep, while supporting his own happy place, playing music.

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Operations & Tech Nerd

Lillian Soderman

Lillian is the backbone of operations and all things technical at Basil. She brings over ten years of experience in the software industry. When she isn't busy nerding out, she enjoys being a dog mom, traveling the world, and playing music just like Phil!

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CDOs (Chief Dog Officers)

Stella Harley & Reggie David

We're the true inspiration behind Sleep Basil. We were tired of being woken up when our two pets kept moving around all night. Finally, we can sleep through the night (and all day) in peace. When we're not cozied up on our Basil mattress, we're usually eating chicken treats or growling while playing tug-o-war with our favorite pet, Josh.

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