I ditched my memory foam mattress for latex and I've never slept better — here's why
I used to think my dream mattress would be a soft memory foam model that I sink into every night, sleeping peacefully. I was wrong. In fact, I found the hugging sensation infuriating, but what was the alternative?
With the majority of this year's best mattresses we've tested incorporating memory foam, it can be difficult to find anything else. Well, I decided to ditch the foam for a somewhat more unconventional material: latex. While my friends raised their eyebrows at the mention of a latex mattress, it's actually a very common material used in most of the best organic mattresses.
Now I've tried it for myself, I don't want to sleep on anything else. For me, it's the perfect mattress material. Supportive, pressure relieving and natural. What's not to like? Here I'll reveal how the swap improved my sleep, as well as explaining the differences between memory foam and latex.
Memory foam is a common mattress material because of its versatility. Made from polyfoam, which is chemical-based, memory foam is a slow-moving, impressionable material, which means it contours to your body.
The traditional memory foam feel is a hugging, sinking feeling, but the best memory foam mattresses offer different firmness feels, from super soft to extremely firm (like the Plank firm mattress).
Latex foam, on the other hand, is a natural material made from the same liquid latex that's used to make rubber. In mattresses, it is a buoyant, bouncy and usually has a medium-firm to firm feel. It's unlikely to contour around your body and you won't sink into it.
It's a lot more responsive than memory foam, making it a good option for combination sleepers.
Since switching from my memory foam mattress to a latex mattress, I'm sleeping better than ever. Here's why.
Foam mattresses are known to trap heat. The dense structure stops air from flowing through the bed, which can lead to a hot, sweaty surface.
While my foam mattress didn't necessarily feel like it trapped heat, the way I sunk into the bed made me feel hotter and less cool at night.
My latex bed is the opposite. With a wool pillow top and a latex core, the mattress is breathable and moisture-wicking.
I've never once woken up feeling sweaty or claustrophobic, and I think part of this is because I don't sink into it, so heat can't become trapped around me. The result? Sleeping through the night.
I never understood the 'clean sleep' argument for organic mattresses that use natural materials. How can a mattress feel clean?
But when I lay on the latex bed, it made sense. Instead of having my face pressed against a chemical material that always has a slight smell, I could rest against a mattress knowing that everything inside was naturally sourced. It genuinely did feel 'clean'.
I was blown away when I unboxed the mattress, expecting to be hit by the potent off-gassing I was used to with memory foam, but instead I wasn't able to smell anything.
I thought, as a side sleeper, that I'd love a super soft, marshmallow mattress that I sink into to relieve the pressure around my shoulders, hips and knees. After all, the best mattresses for side sleepers are supposed to cradle your pressure points.
But after a few weeks of sleeping on a sinking memory foam mattress, I became incredibly frustrated with the hugging sensation.
As a combination sleeper who loves tossing and turning at night, fighting my way out of the foam was enough to wake me up at night.
Now, the latex I sleep on is bouncy and responsive beneath me. Every time I move, it immediately changes shape and accommodates my next sleeping position. I never sink in or feel trapped, but instead lie comfortably on top of the mattress.
To combat the natural firmness of latex, my mattress has a pillow top layer for extra relief around my pressure points, giving me the best of both worlds.
So, you're probably wondering what the wonder-mattress I'm sleeping on actually is.
Well, it's the Birch Luxe Natural mattress that combines coils with layers of latex, GOTS-certified wool and GOTS-certified cotton, and of all the mattresses I've tested it's my favorite so far.
You can read my Birch Luxe Natural hands-on review to find out more about my experience, and I'll be writing up my full review soon, so watch this space!
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Tom's Guide
08-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ditched my memory foam mattress for latex and I've never slept better — here's why
I used to think my dream mattress would be a soft memory foam model that I sink into every night, sleeping peacefully. I was wrong. In fact, I found the hugging sensation infuriating, but what was the alternative? With the majority of this year's best mattresses we've tested incorporating memory foam, it can be difficult to find anything else. Well, I decided to ditch the foam for a somewhat more unconventional material: latex. While my friends raised their eyebrows at the mention of a latex mattress, it's actually a very common material used in most of the best organic mattresses. Now I've tried it for myself, I don't want to sleep on anything else. For me, it's the perfect mattress material. Supportive, pressure relieving and natural. What's not to like? Here I'll reveal how the swap improved my sleep, as well as explaining the differences between memory foam and latex. Memory foam is a common mattress material because of its versatility. Made from polyfoam, which is chemical-based, memory foam is a slow-moving, impressionable material, which means it contours to your body. The traditional memory foam feel is a hugging, sinking feeling, but the best memory foam mattresses offer different firmness feels, from super soft to extremely firm (like the Plank firm mattress). Latex foam, on the other hand, is a natural material made from the same liquid latex that's used to make rubber. In mattresses, it is a buoyant, bouncy and usually has a medium-firm to firm feel. It's unlikely to contour around your body and you won't sink into it. It's a lot more responsive than memory foam, making it a good option for combination sleepers. Since switching from my memory foam mattress to a latex mattress, I'm sleeping better than ever. Here's why. Foam mattresses are known to trap heat. The dense structure stops air from flowing through the bed, which can lead to a hot, sweaty surface. While my foam mattress didn't necessarily feel like it trapped heat, the way I sunk into the bed made me feel hotter and less cool at night. My latex bed is the opposite. With a wool pillow top and a latex core, the mattress is breathable and moisture-wicking. I've never once woken up feeling sweaty or claustrophobic, and I think part of this is because I don't sink into it, so heat can't become trapped around me. The result? Sleeping through the night. I never understood the 'clean sleep' argument for organic mattresses that use natural materials. How can a mattress feel clean? But when I lay on the latex bed, it made sense. Instead of having my face pressed against a chemical material that always has a slight smell, I could rest against a mattress knowing that everything inside was naturally sourced. It genuinely did feel 'clean'. I was blown away when I unboxed the mattress, expecting to be hit by the potent off-gassing I was used to with memory foam, but instead I wasn't able to smell anything. I thought, as a side sleeper, that I'd love a super soft, marshmallow mattress that I sink into to relieve the pressure around my shoulders, hips and knees. After all, the best mattresses for side sleepers are supposed to cradle your pressure points. But after a few weeks of sleeping on a sinking memory foam mattress, I became incredibly frustrated with the hugging sensation. As a combination sleeper who loves tossing and turning at night, fighting my way out of the foam was enough to wake me up at night. Now, the latex I sleep on is bouncy and responsive beneath me. Every time I move, it immediately changes shape and accommodates my next sleeping position. I never sink in or feel trapped, but instead lie comfortably on top of the mattress. To combat the natural firmness of latex, my mattress has a pillow top layer for extra relief around my pressure points, giving me the best of both worlds. So, you're probably wondering what the wonder-mattress I'm sleeping on actually is. Well, it's the Birch Luxe Natural mattress that combines coils with layers of latex, GOTS-certified wool and GOTS-certified cotton, and of all the mattresses I've tested it's my favorite so far. You can read my Birch Luxe Natural hands-on review to find out more about my experience, and I'll be writing up my full review soon, so watch this space!
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
UAA Q1 Earnings Call: Under Armour Discusses Brand Reset Amid Revenue Decline and Strategic Shifts
Athletic apparel company Under Armour (NYSE:UAA) missed Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales falling 11.4% year on year to $1.18 billion. Its non-GAAP loss of $0.08 per share was in line with analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy UAA? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.18 billion (11.4% year-on-year decline) Adjusted EPS: -$0.08 vs analyst estimates of -$0.08 (in line) Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $1.13 billion at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $1.17 billion Adjusted EPS guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $0.02 at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $0 Operating Margin: -6.1%, down from -0.3% in the same quarter last year Locations: 441 at quarter end, up from 440 in the same quarter last year Constant Currency Revenue fell 9.8% year on year (-4.9% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $2.71 billion Under Armour's first quarter results reflected the company's efforts to reposition its brand and improve the quality of its revenue, as discussed by CEO Kevin Plank and CFO Dave Bergman. Management attributed the year-over-year sales decline to lower direct-to-consumer (DTC) volumes, especially in e-commerce, and reduced wholesale activity. Plank explained that strategic decisions to limit discounting and streamline product offerings were intended to protect brand equity, even as these actions pressured top-line results. Additionally, ongoing supply chain management and SKU reductions have been central to Under Armour's plan to create a more focused and premium product mix. Plank acknowledged, 'While we're never satisfied with declining revenue, our fourth quarter results allowed us to exceed our fiscal '25 outlook, demonstrating some of the foundational traction we're gaining as we reposition the Under Armour brand.' Looking forward, Under Armour's guidance reflects continued caution as the company navigates a dynamic retail environment and the impact of evolving trade policy. Management emphasized the importance of maintaining gross margin improvements through premiumization, disciplined inventory management, and a shift toward higher-priced, differentiated products. Plank highlighted the upcoming launch of the UA Halo collection and a renewed focus on compelling storytelling and influencer partnerships to drive consumer engagement. CFO Dave Bergman stated that while the company is limiting its outlook to the next quarter due to tariff uncertainties, efforts to diversify sourcing and manage SG&A expenses remain priorities. The leadership team stressed that executing on product innovation, targeted marketing, and operational efficiency will be key to stabilizing performance and positioning Under Armour for future growth. Management attributed the quarter's results to deliberate reductions in promotions, ongoing operational streamlining, and the impact of external trade and market pressures. The leadership team highlighted several strategic actions shaping both current performance and long-term brand positioning. E-commerce and DTC Reset: Under Armour's decision to reduce discounting and focus on full-price sales in its DTC channels led to lower e-commerce revenue but improved average unit retail and a healthier brand profile. Plank noted, 'Our full price sales mix on our website [was] up double-digits year-over-year with promo and clearance down.' SKU Rationalization and Premiumization: The company accelerated efforts to streamline its product assortment, removing lower-value activities and reducing SKUs to concentrate on premium, higher-margin categories. Plank described this as 'selling so much more of so much less at a much higher full price.' Category Management Model: A transition to category-led operating structures, with dedicated teams responsible for core areas such as training, running, and sportswear, was implemented to improve execution, speed, and regional relevance. International Market Performance: EMEA outperformed other regions due to strong leadership and strategic category focus, while APAC continued to face challenges from a highly promotional environment and ongoing business resets. Plank noted, 'We're maintaining the discipline to protect the brand strength we've built [in EMEA].' Supply Chain and Cost Management: Efforts to optimize the supply chain, including diversifying sourcing and driving cost efficiencies, contributed to gross margin gains. Bergman stated that supply chain benefits and pricing discipline were key factors, though he cautioned that these benefits may moderate in future quarters. Under Armour's near-term outlook is shaped by ongoing brand repositioning, operational discipline, and uncertainty from recent tariff changes, which management expects will influence both revenue and profitability. 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Tom's Guide
30-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Helix Dawn vs Plank Firm: which firm mattress should you buy?
Type: HybridFirmness: FirmHeight: 11.5"Sizes: 8Sleep trial: 100 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $1,099 at Helix Type: Memory foamFirmness: Firm, Extra FirmHeight: 10"Sizes: 14Sleep trial: 120 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $561.75 at Plank It's the battle of the firm mattresses, as we pit the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm against each other. If you need the enhanced support of a firm bed, this guide explores if the Helix Dawn or Plank Firm mattress is right for you. Our sleep experts have spent combined months sleeping on the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm and we rate them among the best mattresses we've tested. As well as a firm feel, the two share a mid-range price point and a supportive build that suits back and stomach sleepers. Here we're comparing the support, comfort and price of the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses to help you decide which of our favorite firm mattresses suits your sleep needs. It's a close head to head between the Helix Dawn and Plank, with both ranking among the best mattresses in a box we've tested. Below, we'll give a full rundown of how these mattresses stack up but here's a quick overview. The Dawn is a hybrid design and like the best hybrid mattresses we've tested it delivers support via its spring base. In our Helix Dawn Mattress review we praised its gentle contouring and responsive feel: our tester could move around without losing support (not that they needed to toss and turn to get comfortable.) The Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress and without any springs, it uses a dense foam core for firm support all-round. It's just as firm as you expect from a bed named the 'plank'. Particularly on the Extra Firm side because did we mention? It's a double sided mattress. Firm on one side, Extra Firm on the other, we liked both in our Plank Firm Mattress review but while the Firm side is the crowd pleaser, the niche appeal of the Extra Firm impressed our testers. The Helix Dawn and Plank Firm Mattress are mid-range mattresses and cost around $1,000 for a queen. The Helix Dawn is slightly pricier with a queen $1,099 in the standard Helix Mattress sale but as a queen Plank Firm typically sells for $999, there's not much in it. Both brands offer deals throughout the year — look out for 20% off at Helix and 25% off at Plank — but good timing can help you save more. Around peak sales days, such as Black Friday and Memorial Day, Helix has a tendency to boost the sale to 25%, while Plank offers 30% off on special occasions. The DreamCloud Premier mattress and the CopperFlex Hybrid Pro mattress also fit in this price range. We think the Dawn and Plank offer competitive value. You get a limited lifetime warranty with both the Helix Dawn and Plank but the Plank does have a slightly better trial period: 120 nights, compared to 100. However, it's worth remembering the Plank is a double-sided mattress, so you almost have two beds to test out during that sleep trial. Helix Dawn Mattress: twin was $998.66 now $729.03 at Helix SleepYou can always save 20% at Helix but right now is the time to buy as you can score 27% off with our code TOMS27. This reduces a queen from $1,332 to $972 which is the best mattress sale we think you're going to get. Plank Firm Mattress: twin was $749 now $561.75 at PlankAs a double-sided and extra firm mattress, the Plank Firm is a niche entry to the sleep market and we think the mid-range price is a good deal. In the standard sale a queen is $999 (was $1,332). We have seen 30% off in recent weeks reducing a queen to $932 but we think it might be a while before that deal reappears. The Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses share a firm feel and we'll explore what that's like to sleep on below. For now, we're focusing on how they achieve this firmness. When it comes to design, these mattresses couldn't be more different. To be fair, the Plank Firm is different to most mattresses. While we rank it among the best memory foam mattresses we've tested, it doesn't have the traditional build we'd expect from an all-foam bed. First, it's double-sided. Flipped one way, the Plank is Firm. Flipped the other, it's Extra Firm. To create this, the Plank Firm features a dense six-inch support core that sits in the middle of the mattress. This is largely responsible for the feel of the mattress and on the Extra firm side, it's topped only by .75" of foam. On the Firm side there's a bit more padding: two more inches of foam, plus the .75" of the quilted cover. The Helix Dawn is a hybrid mattress and unlike the Plank, it sticks to tradition. Four foam layers, including a layer of latex-alternative dynamic foam and two layers of firm response foam, sit on top of a spring base with a final layer of base foam for durability. We've tested both the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses and we consider them among the best mattresses for stomach sleepers you can buy online. Mattresses for stomach sleepers are typically firm with plenty of support. Stomach sleeping places the back at an awkward angle but a firm mattress keeps the spine straight to limit twisting and prevent pain. The Helix Dawn is a classic stomach sleeper mattress: firm with ample support from a spring base. Our testers agreed it was an 8 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale, 10 indicating rock hard. We found the upper foam layers contoured gently around the body to prevent pressure build up, impressing our back sleeping testers. Side sleeping was also comfortable on the Dawn, mostly in short bursts. Dedicated side sleepers should consider a softer mattress, such as the Helix Midnight Mattress, which has more cushioning at the shoulders. Our lead tester spent multiple weeks sleeping on both sides of the Plank Firm to build up a full picture of the comfort. Across our testing panel, one thing immediately stood out when lying on the Extra Firm side: it's really firm. While it shouldn't be a surprise, we were taken aback by the hard feel, rating it 9 out of 10. But it took only a few minutes for the back and stomach sleepers to appreciate how supportive it is. Side sleepers, however, should avoid the Extra Firm side. There's not enough cushioning at the pressure points, resulting in aching arms and hips. The Firm side does have more cushioning, partly due to the added foam but also because the looser quilting gives more bounce to sink into. This side is better for side sleepers although as with the Dawn, mostly in short bursts. Like the Dawn, we rated the Firm side 8 out of 10 for firmness. Our lead tester is a stomach sleeper and while she loved the Extra Firm side sometimes it pressed too hard against the stomach. For example, after a late dinner. The Extra Firm side divided our testers with some (primarily the side sleepers) unable to find comfort. The Firm is more of a crowd pleaser. Overheating can disrupt sleep but for the most part, both the Dawn and the Plank remain a neutral temperature overnight. Our testers did feel the beds could, on warm nights, trap some heat, with the problem more pronounced in the Plank Firm. We think this will only impact hot sleepers and both Helix and Plank offer a GlacioTex cover upgrade. GlacioTex is used in many top cooling mattresses so we recommend the add-on if you experience night sweats or hot flashes. Hybrid mattresses tend to have better edge support than their all-foam equivalents and with reinforced springs on the lengthwise sides, the Helix Dawn is sturdy at the edges (if a little weak at the corners.) The Plank, however, surprised us with its firm feel from corner to corner: we awarded edge support full marks. Both mattresses also have good motion isolation, although the Plank just takes the win (those thick foams deaden movement.) But if you share a bed, both mattresses should minimize disruption from a restless partner. ✅ You prefer a traditional feel: With tall springs and a bouncy response foam, the Helix Dawn moves when you move for consistent support and comfort. A more traditional innerspring feel than the all-foam Plank. ✅ You want to customize the bed: The Helix Dawn comes with optional cooling and support add ons, plus Helix Luxe and Elite upgrades. The Plank Firm does have some optional upgrades but not as many as the Dawn. (You can see how the Dawn performs against an upgraded model in our Helix Dawn vs Dusk Luxe mattress head to head.) ✅ You're a combination sleeper: We found the Dawn comfortable in most sleep positions, even if dedicated side sleepers might want a few more layers of cushioning, making it a good choice for those who move around in the night. ✅ You can never find a firm mattress that's firm enough: If you like the feel of Japanese floor mattresses and find standard beds never provide the support you need, the Plank Firm delivers reliable, consistent firmness. ✅ Your comfort needs change: Double sided mattresses, like the Plank, are best for those who need different support levels on different nights. For example, those with reoccurring injuries or occasional bed sharers. ✅ You like the added support of strong edges: The Dawn has good edge support but the Plank Firm is exceptional. You can sit and press against the side of the mattress without it sinking beneath you, making it easier to get in and out of bed.
