Hi Phoenix,

Now that I have racked your brain about mattresses, I was hoping you get your input on pillows!

I currently rotate b/t one of the Tempurpedic kidney shaped pillows (good on my side) and a less expensive thinner memory foam pillow from BBB (better for my stomach). I like the Tempur pillow, but it's too high when I'm on my stomach and the BBB one bottoms out quite easily, but it's lower, which is better for tummy sleeping.

I was thinking of getting something that might be able to work for both side and stomach sleeping, although not sure if that's realistic.

A few months back, I liked the Tempur Cloud pillow when I was trying beds in the store.

I also found the Malouf pillows- they have a shredded latex and a latex/memory foam combo- one on each side.

I don't love the feel of regularly latex pillows, esp if they are very thick. I find them to be a bit too bouncy. I tend to get motion sickness and when I try a normal thick latex pillow, it almost makes me feel like I am getting motion sickness or something silly like that. I wondered if maybe shredded latex would feel less bouncy?

Just thought I'd see if you had any recommendations!

Thanks Phoenix, as always!

I was just at Bed, Bath, and Beyond looking at a handful of things and noticed that they now carry several
of the Tempurpedic pillows. They have the Cloud pillow as well. The guy told me "everything in the store is returnable". Hum. Wonding if it might be worth a shot?

Hi Sleepless,

OK ... now you've gone and done it. Opened up the "pillow" can of worms ... er ... feathers or shredded latex

So we may as well make this the official "pillow" thread so I'll link to a few other places where I've made some comments before.

I think that pillows are an even more personal part of our sleeping system than a mattress and subjective perceptions are even more important ... although of course there are still necessities in what we need for the best spinal alignment as well. I have to say that while there are many pillows that I have liked for periods of time and sometimes even long periods of time ... I don't think that I've ever found the "perfect pillow" because my definition of "perfect" seems to change from time to time.

Some of my more generic thoughts on pillows are in post #13 here

From another post ...

There are a couple of pillows that I've been trying lately. The first one is a zoned talalay latex pillow from Malouf

Because I'm primarily a side sleeper ... I got the thicker one but also the plush version because I like sinking into my pillow and other positions need less thickness. While I don't find it "bouncy" so much ... like all latex it kind of "assists" or "encourages" free movement (and I can understand how some people wouldn't like this). Maybe my head is just heavier and doesn't bounce as much It's also a little warmer for me than feathers. I like it and it works well for me but for my DH (who is also mostly a side sleeper but sometimes moves towards her stomach) whose shoulders aren't as wide as mine and so her head doesn't need to be held up as high, the slightly thinner one would probably have been better. She likes the feel but not the height even though it's very soft. I haven't tried the shredded latex version but I'm guessing it would be a little less "bouncy" but I've heard some people say they don't like the feeling of the "pieces".

The other one is the Biogreen Trillow here.

This one actually impresses me and it's probably the nicest memory foam pillow I've tried. I wanted to test the biogreen memory foam which is an MDI (rather than TDI) formula and I specifically asked to have a brand new one so that I could see how it smelled before it had a chance to air out. There is absolutely no smell and even my DH who has an incredible sense of smell didn't smell anything. Nothing chemical in any way. It is also a slightly faster reacting memory foam so that I don't have a trapped feeling and movement is easier than other memory foams. It is also very breathable, cooler and "airy" feeling more so than other memory foam pillows I have used. I use it in the thickest configuration and DH uses it with the outer layer removed and with the 4" contour towards her shoulders and it's perfect for her side sleeping and occasional forays onto her stomach. I haven't slept on it as much as I'd like to as it's been "taken" for most of the time we've had it

I also came across the totillow pillow in the last couple of days and it's a down or down alternative pillow and also looks really interesting. there are some really good real time videos on the site about how it works with multiple sleeping positions like stomach side sleeping.

Another one that I will definitely try at some point is the technogel pillow. Besides the fact that the gel really interests me ... I also really like cool sleeping pillows and the gel is probably one of the cooler options because of its heat conductive qualities. You can see some feedback about it from one of the forum members in post #3 here.

Another part from another post ...

So that's it for "pillow talk" for the moment ... and if anyone has any thoughts to add or pillow preferences or suggestions feel free to add them here. Thanks for starting up this thread.

Phoenix

Hi,

So - I bet you thought you were getting rid of me...

Now on to new pillows. I love latex (obviously). I have a pillow that's been relegated (retired) to the guest room that I swear is 50 yrs old that was my grandparents that's latex that I've LOVED my entire life. I'm realizing you are probably completely mortified and grossed out I have a 50 yr old pillow... It's totally entact, I get new covers for it regularly... Really it's more like a stuffed animal I can't bring myself to get rid of. ANYHOO...

I've never known where to get them and when I got married and it came to getting 2 pillows and a match set etc I didn't search for latex then. Well - now that I've sold hubby on the latex mattress, he's fine with latex pillows. Again - before you know it I don't want to be buying $200 pillows. As it stands we still went $500 over our maximum budget on the mattress - granted we did end up getting the foundation as well... But there will still be a mattress protector and I'm sure protectors for the pillows too...

This one seems to be getting respectible reviews on Sleep like the dead.com www.sears.com/dream-solutions-300-thread...lectedFilters=Pillow SIze|King^Density|Firm&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Then I've been seeing people talk about this one on here... www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Dreams-Shredded-...ds=king+latex+pillow

And then I saw this one www.amazon.com/Malouf-Natural-Shredded-T...ds=king+latex+pillow

The first one is the type I'm most familiar with but I'm not opposed to saving $15 or so a pillow if possible. I love firm - but I don't want bouncy. Which is one thing I will say about the pillow that was my grandparents. My biggest concern with the 2nd one is it seems like it would lose its integrity with all the "innards" being loose. The third one seems similar but seems to be "molded" together for lack of a better term.

I saw your other threads on pillows but I didn't see these ones specifically mentioned. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Lara

Hi ZhivagosGirl,

I'm quite happy that you're "sticking around" for a while and hopefully there will be others who will also benefit from your questions, experiences and feedback

I've heard of 50 year old latex mattresses and I know that latex is incredibly durable but I have to admit that you have the oldest pillow I know about. Latex does have the advantage of being resistant to dust mites and other "nasties" though so it doesn't gross me out as much as amaze me.

I added this to the "pillow" thread so that others can find some of the pillow discussions more easily. I hope that's OK.

Like mattresses ... pillows have a "what you need" part and a "what you prefer" part but the preference part plays a much more important role because we sleep so close to the pillow and our skin face and head is much more sensitive to the many differences in the feel and response of different pillows. It's a lot more "personal" than even a mattress.

In general though ... side sleepers need a loftier firmer pillow to keep their head and neck raised up and aligned, back sleepers need a little thinner pillow with some support under the neck, and stomach sleepers need the thinnest flattest pillow of all to keep their head as low as possible. Many people are combination sleepers and pillows that can be "scrunched" (feathers, down, shredded latex or shredded memory foam and many other materials) can help with this because they can be puffed up when needed on the side and flattened or molded when needed on the back or stomach.

There's some good links earlier in the thread with some good good information as well about the different types of materials and pillows that may suit different people.

I personally sleep on a Malouf latex and like it a lot but it's the high loft zoned plush rather then the shredded one. It has some bounce or what I call "motion assistance" but it's not as much as the firmer one would be (I don't like firmer latex pillows as much because I like my softness). I'm mostly a side sleeper and tall (6'5" and 195 lbs) with some time spent on my back. The shredded latex would be softer and would shift around your head more rather than just compress and the looser the fill the more it would "flow" around the head as well as compress. They should both be very durable because the latex won't break down as quickly as other materials. There are also several people here who have the Ultimate Dreams shredded latex pillow (which is a bonus with the mattress for the members here) and perhaps some of them will see this and give you their feedback.

I'm not familiar with the Dream solutions although there have been lots of comments that it's on the firm side (although there are many side sleepers who love it as well).

I would probably suggest that you wait till your new mattress arrives because the best choice of pillow will be affected by how much you sink into your new mattress compared to the old one. if you sink in deeper there is less "space" to be filled between your head and the mattress which may mean a thinner pillow.

Phoenix

No worries about moving the thread. I'm all about centralizing information.

I think I'm subconsciously beginning to prepare myself for this new mattress being more firm than I'm going to want. It was quite firm when we tested it, but in my mind I was balancing that against the more "high end" weight of my husband and me, the fact that it is flippable and only a couple hundred dollars more than the other mattress we were seriously considering. All those things were the right longevity/R.O.I. combination. It wasn't by any means uncomfortable - but too firm is much easier to address if need be. All that to say - I'm anticipating "sturdy" pillows at least initially until the bed starts to give a bit more.

And as for "sinking in" - I can't imagine dealing with a sink hole any deeper than the one I have to pull myself out of every morning.

I am a stomach sleeper, and I prefer feather/down pillows.

I did not like the latex ones at all, they were all too thick and unresponsive. Shredded latex pillows are much better, but still IMO inferior in comfort to down pillows.

I can make my feather/down pillow almost disappear if I want, and it is very soft.
I bought one at Ikea for $12 and it is a combination of feathers and down. What I don't like about it is that the pillow is loud (!). Its cover is made of material that makes sound, I guess to prevent feathers to stick out.

Now I understand why down pillows are better than feather+down, so I will try to find one.

Feather only pillows ($10-$15)
85% Feather+ 15% down ($12)
Inner core:feather, outer core down ($25-$60)
Down only pillows ($40-$160)

What is surprising that there are more affordable pillows at Ross/Marshalls stores than in the entire Internet.

I agree that preferable pillow type is a very personal choice, so no single pillow type could be recommended to everyone.
Stomach sleepers should definitely try natural down pillows.

Hi ZhivagosGirl,

I you ever have a chance, I'd love to have a picture of your 50 year old pillow ... just to point to it from time to time

I'm sure you probably are thinking the same thing but I think the Dream solutions would be the firmest of the bunch (will allow for less sinking in to the pillow).

Phoenix

Was over by our Sears today and they actually have the Dream Solutions in stock so I was able to try it out. To just squeeze it and hold it and put my head on it I did not like it at all. However - Sears does have a mattress dept (full of the 3 S's) about 5 feet from where I was standing - so I just took the pillow over to the closest bed and tried it out. I figured the latex we have coming couldn't be any harder than the inner spring ones they were selling. Once I put it down on the bed and laid on it it lost the majority of the rubbery bounce and squishiness I didn't like of how it felt just hold it standing up. It had a nice amount of give without "reverberation" (LOL - for lack of a better term) but also felt supportive. I didn't pull the trigger and buy them because a) I was hoping to see if anyone had any feedback on that malouf "bumply" one and b) They had 3 there and I'd be willing to bet they've been there a while. Not that they aren't in plastic - but they're sorta just haphazardly stacked on the floor. I'd be inclined to actually buy them online if I want to pull the trigger in the hopes that they've been stored in a "nice, clean" warehouse.

For the love of pete as a side note - I literally had to force myself to leave after I heard the sales lady telling a customer about how hot latex was. Honestly I don't even know that they had anything latex there but I was "this close" to slipping the couple a note with the web info for Jordan Brothers.

Anyhoo - to end on a good note, Jordan Brothers called today and they can deliver our set a day early! Huzzah!

PS - does a latex pillow need the same type of protector as a latex mattress?

Hi ZhivagosGirl,

Thanks for the "pillow report". Hopefully it will help many others that are looking at the same pillow

I know the feeling of hearing misinformation being given to a customer in a store. I can't tell you how many times I've heard similar things and have had to bite my tongue! It's amazing to me how much misinformation is being passed off as accurate by misinformed and poorly trained salespeople. I could also tell you about many times when I was the one being told the misinformation and decided to "correct" what I was being told in my various rounds or phone calls to different outlets. The response has has ranged from gratitude and "thanks" from those who want to know more to outright hostility that someone would "dare" to question what they were saying.

I just make my notes in my database so I don't forget who they are

Phoenix

Hello all,

Because this is the"main pillow thread" and there are some other threads that have some good pillow information or feedback ... I thought I'd add a post with links to some of the other threads with the thread titles that talk about pillows. they are ...

Review of the seven comforts latex pillow

Quick update a double stack pillow dilemma

Talatech pillow

Help in selecting the best pillows

Some thoughts about buckwheat pillows in post 11 and 13

This way we can keep adding to the main "pillow thread" collection

Phoenix

Ended up getting 2 of the Dream Solutions Latex pillows (abt $44.99) - and turning around the next day taking them back. Hubby hated his, I wasn't crazy about it either. Just not firm enough. Ended up going with gusseted extra firm polyfill - at least for now. LOL - on sale $16 (king) that I ended up getting for $6 each with add'l discounts.

Tried a body pillow - that also got returned. It was a Laura Ashley ($19.99) from Bed Bath and Beyond - it was SO firm and bulky it was literally like having a 5 yr old in the bed with us. Incidentally - BB and B also had latex pillows in stock for $49.99 (for a king). Ended up with a "cheapy" from Target that's been fine.

This whole process has been exhausting.

Hi ZhivagosGirl,

As you know ... there are some "needs" with pillows (thicker for side sleeping, medium or shaped for back sleeping, thin for stomach sleeping, and scrunchy or variable for combination sleeping to help with upper body alignment) but beyond these and a few others ... they are a very personal item with a huge variety of different feels and "interaction" with different people. Even pillows that are "rated" highly on reviews means little if someone doesn't like the "feel" of certain materials.

My personal thoughts are that pillows are too personal an item for anyone to recommend one for someone else although it can certainly be helpful to read some feedback about how different pillows feel (as well as this type of subjective information can be described) or to know the different qualities of different types (slow/fast recovery, motion assisting/restricting, scrunchiness, sleeping temperature etc).

I think that pillows are one of the most important parts of a sleeping system because our head and face can be so sensitive to different types but they are also one of the most difficult components for many people to get "right" ... and many people will change pillows much more than they change mattresses always looking for the "perfect pillow" for them.

It seems though that your "cheapy" is working well which is good news!

I have to say that I am also quite comfortable with my zoned, soft and high profile latex pillow although I know that latex in a pillow isn't for everyone. I still haven't been able to convince my DH to switch with me though for her biogreen trillow memory foam pillow which has become "hers" and nobody can take it away from her ... even for a few nights

Phoenix

I completely agree on the "such a personal thing" comment. I swear my husband was like a 2 yr old with his blankie about 1 of them. He would NOT get rid of it and I did not want to sully the new pristine beautiful bed and other pillows I bought. I took the the cover off, about disolved it in bleach got a new deluxe cover - LOL in the hopes of trapping anything IN. I may have to go to a hypnotist to remember where I got it from because at some point it's GOT to GO!

Baby steps right?