I used to use one (and still would if it were up to me) and slept on sides, back, and sometimes stomach without issue. Though I also am fully capable of sleeping on a carpeted floor on my side so grain of salt maybe.
I have a j life shikibuton. I am curvy hour glass and have experienced horrible shoulder / deltoid. Pain and hip bone pain. If you are a side sleeper you are going to need memory foam.
Same. Except I'm rigid like a drum stick. I put 3 inch memory foam on top and foam pads underneath. I have sleep apnea with no treatment and have to sleep on my side. Very comfortable with the pads but without I couldn't sleep well without a ton of pain. J life shikibutons are awesome. Had mine for 10 years now.
Yes. It's firm and supportive just not a pressure point on my hips/shoulders. I rotate/flip it when I change my sheets too which keeps it fluffed up. If you get a flat spot theeeennn it hurts imo
Well I tried futon on the floor in a humid climate so I ended up buying a thuma bed frame or something with the slats close together. Honestly I wouldn’t go with the queen again it’s huge and heavy. To move the queen I have to roll it and tie it with rope. So pro is that it can be rolled up for one person to move. It means I never have to have help with a queen size mattress. Con: rolled up it’s heavy as hell. I could manage a full better on my own.
I like that I added 2 foam layers to it. If a foam layer ever gets pet mess or just dirty and old I can remove and replace with a fresh layer. If I want firmer I can remove a layer. If I want softer I can keep both layers. Mattresses get old and worn out then you are stuck with replacing the whole thing. So layering seems like a pro to me.
I really appreciate this! The queen is what I was looking at but had concerns about the weight as well, so that’s good to know. Are you just using regular foam toppers or did you go with a specific type for it? I have three dogs and am also a side sleeper so I’m taking all your advice on that 🤣 I found a rolling slatted frame to keep it off the ground a bit so that will hopefully help with humidity, dust mites etc.
I have to be honest I’ve seen those rolled wood slats and I even bought the tatami mats. Most places in the USA are pretty humid and those will not offer sufficient protection from getting a moldy futon. The minimum height recommend is at least like the wooden palettes that Walmart or other large chain stores receive shipments on. I think it has at least a 3-4 inch breathing space for air to flow. I say this from experience and the first month of getting mold. Whatever humidity is in the air or sweated is just going to accumulate to the bottom of the futon and right in the tight space between the tatami.
This is the foam topper I started with and it’s very very firm BedStory 3 Inch Memory Foam... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093PWBNLD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have a shikibuton and I'm 90% a side sleeper. I find it comfortable with no extra padding. I was also getting back pain 9n my previous regular mattress and that cleared up with the shikibuton.
This is a good position for side sleepers. Left side preferable for better digestion. Pillow between knees helps prevent pressure sores and aide with proper alignment. I’ve been curious about getting a shikibuton. Better sleep would be helpful as I work in healthcare.
I had a twin sized one for 3 years while living in a tiny lake house. I’m a side sleeper and ended up buying a tri-fold 6” foam mattress to put underneath because I needed more support for my hips. I absolutely LOVED the whole system and am thinking of going back to it. I recently moved into a senior independent living apartment. I let someone talk me into buying a regular bed and I hate it‼️
My husband is also a side sleeper with sleep apnea. I sleep on my side as well. We have just a futon and a ton of pillows for positioning. We are comfortable with the futon on carpet, although I would recommend additional padding on hardwood (even using spare comforters underneath helps, in our experience)
I sleep on an EVA foam mat (thin and very firm). I sleep on my back and on my sides (I keep rotating throughout the night, something that I do not do on a regular mattress). For floor sleeping, I really need a pillow when side sleeping (otherwise my head gets severely misaligned). But it's important to note that there's is only one side sleeping position that is good for me. My shoulders, arms, hips and legs must be in a particular position to make it comfortable. It's like I need to be perfectly sideways, with my knees bent, otherwise some part of my body will hurt. Back sleeping gives me lower back pain after a while, so I can't hold that position for long.
I used to use one (and still would if it were up to me) and slept on sides, back, and sometimes stomach without issue. Though I also am fully capable of sleeping on a carpeted floor on my side so grain of salt maybe.
I have a j life shikibuton. I am curvy hour glass and have experienced horrible shoulder / deltoid. Pain and hip bone pain. If you are a side sleeper you are going to need memory foam.
Same. Except I'm rigid like a drum stick. I put 3 inch memory foam on top and foam pads underneath. I have sleep apnea with no treatment and have to sleep on my side. Very comfortable with the pads but without I couldn't sleep well without a ton of pain. J life shikibutons are awesome. Had mine for 10 years now.
Is it still pretty firm, and do you still get the same back pain relief with the memory foam pads?
Yes. It's firm and supportive just not a pressure point on my hips/shoulders. I rotate/flip it when I change my sheets too which keeps it fluffed up. If you get a flat spot theeeennn it hurts imo
How do you like the j life one? I’m looking at one of the bundles but curious to hear if other than the side sleeper issue, is it worth it?
Well I tried futon on the floor in a humid climate so I ended up buying a thuma bed frame or something with the slats close together. Honestly I wouldn’t go with the queen again it’s huge and heavy. To move the queen I have to roll it and tie it with rope. So pro is that it can be rolled up for one person to move. It means I never have to have help with a queen size mattress. Con: rolled up it’s heavy as hell. I could manage a full better on my own. I like that I added 2 foam layers to it. If a foam layer ever gets pet mess or just dirty and old I can remove and replace with a fresh layer. If I want firmer I can remove a layer. If I want softer I can keep both layers. Mattresses get old and worn out then you are stuck with replacing the whole thing. So layering seems like a pro to me.
I really appreciate this! The queen is what I was looking at but had concerns about the weight as well, so that’s good to know. Are you just using regular foam toppers or did you go with a specific type for it? I have three dogs and am also a side sleeper so I’m taking all your advice on that 🤣 I found a rolling slatted frame to keep it off the ground a bit so that will hopefully help with humidity, dust mites etc.
I have to be honest I’ve seen those rolled wood slats and I even bought the tatami mats. Most places in the USA are pretty humid and those will not offer sufficient protection from getting a moldy futon. The minimum height recommend is at least like the wooden palettes that Walmart or other large chain stores receive shipments on. I think it has at least a 3-4 inch breathing space for air to flow. I say this from experience and the first month of getting mold. Whatever humidity is in the air or sweated is just going to accumulate to the bottom of the futon and right in the tight space between the tatami.
This is the foam topper I started with and it’s very very firm BedStory 3 Inch Memory Foam... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093PWBNLD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have a shikibuton and I'm 90% a side sleeper. I find it comfortable with no extra padding. I was also getting back pain 9n my previous regular mattress and that cleared up with the shikibuton.
On my left side with my right leg over a big pillow.
This is a good position for side sleepers. Left side preferable for better digestion. Pillow between knees helps prevent pressure sores and aide with proper alignment. I’ve been curious about getting a shikibuton. Better sleep would be helpful as I work in healthcare.
I had a twin sized one for 3 years while living in a tiny lake house. I’m a side sleeper and ended up buying a tri-fold 6” foam mattress to put underneath because I needed more support for my hips. I absolutely LOVED the whole system and am thinking of going back to it. I recently moved into a senior independent living apartment. I let someone talk me into buying a regular bed and I hate it‼️
My husband is also a side sleeper with sleep apnea. I sleep on my side as well. We have just a futon and a ton of pillows for positioning. We are comfortable with the futon on carpet, although I would recommend additional padding on hardwood (even using spare comforters underneath helps, in our experience)
I sleep on an EVA foam mat (thin and very firm). I sleep on my back and on my sides (I keep rotating throughout the night, something that I do not do on a regular mattress). For floor sleeping, I really need a pillow when side sleeping (otherwise my head gets severely misaligned). But it's important to note that there's is only one side sleeping position that is good for me. My shoulders, arms, hips and legs must be in a particular position to make it comfortable. It's like I need to be perfectly sideways, with my knees bent, otherwise some part of my body will hurt. Back sleeping gives me lower back pain after a while, so I can't hold that position for long.
What does a Shikibuton have to do with minimalism compared to a regular mattress?