I'm about 280 lbs and a side sleeper. My current mattress is a medium-firm memory foam that's about 4 years old, and lately my hips sink so deep that I wake up with lower back pain every morning. It feels like I'm sleeping in a hammock. I've tried adding a firm topper but it just makes my shoulders hurt. I need something that keeps my hips up without turning into concrete. Any suggestions? I'm not looking to spend a fortune.
mattress
My hips sink way too far into my mattress
At your weight, that memory foam is probably just done. Four years is about the lifespan for heavier folks. A firm latex or a hybrid with coils might hold you better.
I'm 250 and had the same issue. Switched to a full latex mattress (firm) and it was a game changer. No more sinking. It's pricey though.
Have you tried sleeping on the floor? Just kidding. Kind of. But seriously, maybe a mattress with zoned support? Like firmer in the middle third for hips.
Zoned support is a gimmick unless it's done right. Most budget ones just have a firmer foam strip that you can barely feel. Look for coils with thicker gauge in the center.
Also, check the foundation. If your bed frame has weak slats or a box spring that's sagging, that'll make any mattress feel like a sinkhole. I learned that the the hard way.
Have you considered a Sleep Number? You can adjust the firmness. My husband is 300 lbs and loves his side set to 90. But they're not cheap and the pumps can fail.
Sleep Number? More like Sleep Overpriced. But yeah, adjustable could work if budget allows. Otherwise, maybe a firm innerspring with a thin comfort layer. No memory foam.
I second the innerspring suggestion. A traditional firm coil mattress with just a bit of foam on top will keep your hips up. Avoid anything that says 'pljush' or 'pillow top'.
OP, how old is your foundation? If it's the same age as the mattress, it might be sagging too. Try putting the mattress on the floor for a night to see if it's the bed or the mattress. Quick test before you spend money.