Our Big Fig mattress was featured in an article by Jessica Yonker at HGTV and we're so excited to share her review!
Our first thought and priority going into the mattress business has always been prioritizing a community that is so often neglected. So we love to hear about the difference we make in the sleep experience of our plus-size friends.
If you're interested in reading Jessica's final thoughts on the mattress, read the full article.
Not convinced? Keep reading for more reasons you’ll love a Big Fig mattress.
What Jessica Has to Say
WHY I CHOSE BIG FIG
It came down to durability, or at least perceived durability. When I look for big-ticket items, I always cross-check Reddit forums. I spent a lot of time on r/Mattress , reading other people’s experiences with the Big Fig, and didn’t see any glaring customer service complaints or durability red flags. The biggest complaint was that the mattress was too firm for some people.
I actually took Big Fig off my list at first because of this, but as time went on during my month-long search, I became more panicked about selecting a bed that would start sagging and showing signs of wear after a year than I was about the mattress being too firm.
I decided to go firmer than I’d normally be comfortable with, reasoning that it would soften up after a break-in period and that I could always put a mattress topper on it. Generally, you can make a mattress softer, but you can’t make it firmer, and my poor back needed the support.
I liked that the Big Fig mattress had a latex layer — my old mattress was a hybrid mattress with latex, so I looked for that in my new mattress. I wanted to avoid memory foam because I’m not a big fan of that slow, sink-in feeling you get with memory foam, and I find the material hot.
I must admit that I was enticed by Big Fig’s adjustable bed frame. I’ve never had an adjustable bed frame before, but I sleep on a mountain of pillows propped up under my head and feet, so it seemed worth trying.
I also had a little bit of help from my friends — two friends, a couple who had just bought a new house, were also on the hunt for a new bed over the summer. After dumping my research onto them, they chose a Big Fig, and it shipped to them before I had even decided on a bed for myself. It was one of the final pushes I needed to select Big Fig.
Big Fig is one of the few mattresses I found where I could find reviews on YouTube with actual plus-size people testing the bed, and even then, I still only found a handful of reviews. It’s part of what inspired me to write the review in the first place.
Why Big Fig is the best mattress for heavy people and heavy couples
Hybrid construction
High-density foam
Coil system
Edge support
Sleeping cool
Tufting
Strong foundation
Documented testing
20 year mattress warranty
120 sleep trial
1. Hybrid construction
The Big Fig is a hybrid mattress designed to support heavier people. Its design has a high coil count at 1,600 individual coils in a king size mattress. We use three layers of high density foams and one layer of gel infused, perforated latex foam. That’s a fancy way of saying our mattress is supportive, comfortable and resilient!
Traditional mattresses have inferior components that soften over time as the mattress materials break down. For plus size sleepers, the firmness and comfort level of the mattress can diminish within just a few months of use. But the Big Fig’s hybrid construction of high quality pockets, springs and foam leads to long-lasting comfort and support.
This hybrid construction is also very different from an all-foam mattress. Heavier sleepers will tend to sleep "in" a foam mattress, as opposed to sleeping "on" it. Foam mattresses will also tend to create cavities or depressions that the sleeper will sink into. Our spring support provides a more lively surface that will help you roll and turn to find the perfect position for a great night's sleep.
2. High-density foam
A spring coil mattress doesn’t have to mean “rock hard” or uncomfortably firm! In fact, with our careful selection of quality comfort materials, the top portion of our mattress is the perfect combination of both plush and support for a firmer mattress.
The Big Fig Mattress is constructed with three inches of high-density foam cushioning, with a minimum density of 1.8 pcf (pounds per cubic foot). That’s over 50% denser than the foam in a standard innerspring mattress making it firm, yet supportive and comfortable.
Why is this density important? A recurring issue among bigger figure sleepers is mattress sag – those uncomfortable holes or impressions that develop in the surface of the mattress over time. We can’t stand those little divots, so our three foam layers help to prevent sagging and keep your mattress feeling like new.
3. Coil system
We hear a lot about motion transfer from people who sleep with a partner. It’s a bummer to wake up every time your partner rolls over in their sleep, so to help, we sourced the highest quality, individually pocketed coils and put as many into the mattress as we could.
Our individually wrapped coil system contours and responds perfectly to your body, eliminating nearly all motion transfer. Our coils are premium grade 15 gauge steel springs, so you know we aren’t messing around. With 50% more coils than the average premium innerspring mattress on the market, our 1,600 count innerspring system actively adjusts to body weight and contours while doing its part in our hybrid design to provide more underlying support.
4. Mattress Edge support
Have you ever sat on the edge of the bed and felt like you could slide right off or sink to the floor—making it nearly impossible to stand up? All-foam and traditional mattresses are notorious for poor edge support . That’s why the Big Fig Mattress is designed with the firmest foam around the edges to keep you feeling secure in bed. The supportive edges also expand the usable sleeping area, making your mattress feel more spacious.
Most other mattresses, especially those made of all foam, do not utilize special materials for edge firmness. Therefore, they have soft, unsupportive edges that will break down over time. When you sit on a Big Fig, we promise you’ll immediately notice the difference.
5. Sleeping cool
While no mattress can guarantee how hot or cool you may sleep, we did our absolute best to keep your mattress surface feeling cooler than a cucumber. First, our mattress topper is made with THERMOGEL COOLING ® technology that actively cools your body temperature as you sleep . The technology activates with moisture contact to create a cooling sensation close to the skin.
In addition to THERMOGEL COOLING ® technology, we placed a layer of perforated, gel-infused latex foam directly under the quilted top. This unique combination minimizes overall surface temperature, and keeps things chill.
Finally, we significantly increased cooling air flow through the mattress by adding aeration holes in the latex upholstery layer. These perforations allow air to flow freely through the foam for an extra boost to the cooling effect.
6. Tufting
One of the most effective ways to ensure the long term durability and integrity of a mattress is to “hand tuft” it. The tufts secure the mattress layers in place and virtually eliminate shifting of materials that can lead to reduced comfort, lumpiness and/or sagging.
“ Hand tufting ” means that we individually insert durable string fasteners completely through the mattress in locations spread evenly across the mattress surface. Tufts create the slight depressions with “buttons” on the bottom that are usually arranged in a grid pattern and show your mattress is secure.
Due to the high cost of hand tufting, it is found on very few mattresses and you usually can’t find it on mattresses in our price range. Many mattresses out there actually include fake tufts! But every Big Fig Mattress is hand tufted by skilled craftsmen in our factory.
7. Strong foundation
Without a strong foundation , a mattress will degrade even faster and can cause premature sagging. The Big Fig Mattress and Foundation are designed to work together as a support system – the foundation absorbs the impact from the mattress, which increases the longevity of the materials.
We don’t hesitate to say that the Big Fig Foundation is the strongest foundation on the market. It is crafted from the highest grades of spruce, pine and fir woods and has 18, 2.5 inch wide slats and double center rails to support five times the weight of a standard foundation. Like all things Fig, we designed it with our customers in mind!
8. Documented testing
The average lifespan of a traditional mattress is frustratingly short – especially for plus size sleepers. We sent the Big Fig Mattress to a third party testing facility to prove it's a durable mattress that's built to last. We used a heavier weight than normal (350lbs to be exact) and more rotations to simulate 20 years of use. The Big Fig passed with flying colors !
What does this mean? It means that when we say we’ve specially engineered the Big Fig with a combination of high quality individually-wrapped coil springs and high density foams to deliver an exceptionally comfortable and durable sleep surface, we’re telling the truth and sharing the data to back it up!
The Big Fig is proof that when you address the specific sleep needs of an underserved community, beautiful things happen. Our mattress is the “man behind the curtain,” working behind the scenes to create good moods, good night’s rests and a happier, plus size community. When you sleep bigger, you live bigger!
9. 20 Year Mattress Warranty
If your Big Fig mattress or foundation fails due to manufacturing defect, Big Fig will, at its option, either repair or replace the defective item. Replacement or repair of one piece does not automatically result in the replacement or repair of another piece. Big Fig reserves the right to substitute comparable materials or models and does not guarantee that the replacement will match the defective piece.
The Big Fig warranty is for 20 years from the date of initial delivery. Repair or replacement of the mattress or foundation does not extend this warranty period or begin a new limited warranty period. During this period, Big Fig will repair or replace the defective piece at no charge.
10. 120 Day Sleep Trial
Are you ready to join thousands of happy sleepers? Try the Big Fig for yourself worry-free with our 120-night sleep trial !
How we stack up against our competitors
Are you currently in the research phase trying to figure out which mattress is best for you? Luckily we have done extensive research for you. Head on over to our competitor comparison to see why Big Fig mattresses is the best choice. We are also available to chat with any questions you may have!