Should You Choose a Firm or Soft Mattress? Let’s Break It Down

“Is this too firm?” “Will soft be supportive enough?” “What’s the best mattress for back pain?”

The honest answer? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

At Fly By Night, we help customers navigate these questions every day—without pressure, commissions, or sales tricks. Over time, we’ve learned a lot about what really matters when choosing a mattress.

Firmness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in mattress shopping. Many people assume firm means more supportive and soft means more comfortable, but it’s more nuanced than that. Firmness refers to surface feel, support refers to spinal alignment, and comfort is personal. A mattress can be soft and supportive—or firm and totally wrong for your body. It’s all about balance.

Your sleeping position plays a big role in what feels right. Back sleepers usually do well on medium-firm beds that offer support without too much pressure. Side sleepers tend to prefer softer surfaces that relieve stress on shoulders and hips. Stomach sleepers often need firmer support to keep their spine aligned. And if you shift positions during the night, something in the medium range with good responsiveness often works best. But it’s not just about how you sleep—it’s also your body type, weight, and sensitivity.

What the mattress is made of matters even more than what the label says. A “firm” foam mattress might still sag under pressure. A “soft” latex bed can offer plenty of support. At Fly By Night, we carry mattresses made with natural latex, responsive coil systems, and organic materials like wool and cotton. We skip the gimmicky foams and mystery materials and help you compare real options side by side—because what it feels like to you matters more than what the tag says.

A good mattress should let you sink in slightly, cushion your curves, and support your spine without sagging. You should be able to get up easily without feeling stuck, and most importantly, you should wake up feeling better—not worse.

This is why we always recommend trying mattresses in person. Online reviews don’t know your body. “Universal comfort” is mostly marketing. When you shop with us, there’s no rush. You can try as many models as you want. We’ll walk you through what’s inside each one and how it’ll feel years down the road—not just for the first five minutes.

Want to find your sweet spot?

Come visit Fly By Night in Northampton—or soon, in Maynard. Our team will help you explore different firmness levels, materials, and builds with zero pressure. The goal isn’t to sell you the most expensive mattress. It’s to help you sleep better for the long haul.