Having spent an extensive amount of time studying and analysing mattresses, no design or feature escapes my discerning eye. One such mattress to recently come under my scrutiny is the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150 Pocket Sprung Mattress, a product boasting of 100% recyclable glue-free Cortec™ springs, in an offer to promote sustainability. But, as I soon realised during my in-store trial, there's much more to this mattress than merely a promise of being eco-friendly.
Design and Features
On a cursory glance, the craftsmanship is evident in the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150 Mattress. Not only is this mattress handcrafted in the UK by Harrison Spinks, but it also has detailed features such as traditionally tufting to keep the fillings in place and two rows of side stitching for enhanced durability.
The highlight, though, is the use of native, natural ingredients such as British wool, hemp, cotton and flax to regulate your temperature and its dual-sided design that lets you flip between its sides according to the seasons. The proponents for such a feature argue that the different materials cater to different climatic conditions, providing a cool, refreshing sleep surface during summer and a warm, cosy bed during winter.
Yet, my attention was grabbed predominantly by the revolutionary Cortec™ springs. Supposedly, these glue-free, 100% recyclable springs mould to the contours of your body, providing support in any sleep position. Exceptional breathability was another claim associated with these springs, with promises of maintaining air circulation for a fresher, more hygienic sleeping surface.
Mattress Comfort
When it comes to comfort, the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150 Pocket Sprung Mattress is available in either a firm or very firm comfort grade. Firm mattresses traditionally cater to a niche audience, offering heavy support that makes them suitable for back and stomach sleepers. However, those who sleep on their side or people with hourglass figures might find this mattress a touch too hard for their liking.
In my time with it, the mattress did feel unusually firm. It led me to question whether the firmness did compromise on the promised adaptability of the Cortec™ springs. Is this a case of trying to accomplish too much in one design? The jury is still out on that.
Suitability
As someone who has seen, tested and reviewed countless mattresses, determining the suitability of a mattress becomes almost intuitive. And with the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150, the answer was clear. This mattress is an ideal choice for back sleepers, and potentially, some stomach sleepers, who solely sleep this way. Its firm or even very firm comfort grade caters to them, as back sleepers need optimal support to maintain their spine's alignment while they sleep.
However, its high tension could pose trouble for people who sleep on their side or have hourglass figures, as they require more sinkage from the support layer to accommodate their hip and shoulder. Therefore, if you fall in these categories, it might be worth exploring other options.
What Customers Thought
Owners mostly write about support and build quality. One summed it up as 'Deep, supportive comfort', another 'loved the combination of support and craftsmanship of this model' and liked that these mattresses are 'completely recyclable when they get to end of life'. A third, a month in, found it 'keeping its shape' and firm enough for their needs. The reviews don't share my apprehension regarding the firm comfort grade: one owner who usually prefers something softer wrote that 'Both firmnesses feel great, the natural fibres have helped with staying cool in the summer.'
One unhappy owner bought a zipped king, two singles joined by the zip, and wrote that 'the mattress has a dip in the middle, where we both seem to roll into during the night'. The same owner found 'the top surface is very bumpy' and could 'feel the dips and bumps between the buttons' of the tufting. It's a classic case of trying to incorporate too many elements in a single design.
Two smaller gripes: one owner measured it at 'more than 30 cm', 'thicker than stated on the site', and 'There is also no labelling to indicate which side is supposed to be the summer or winter side.' There's a soft wool cover on the spec sheet as well, but again, it's overshadowed by the glaring issue of its firmness.
The Verdict
It's clear the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150 Pocket Sprung Mattress is certainly not for everyone. Its niche design, combining both a firm comfort grade and expensive natural materials, is targeted towards a very particular user group. It comes with a hefty price tag, which might again be a turn-off for many.
The inescapable truth is, the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150 seems overpriced for what it offers. Is the cost justified because of the use of rare, natural materials or the clever Cortec™ springs? It's hard to say, especially when these rather extol features don't necessarily translate into a comfortable night's sleep for everyone.
There's also the annoyance of high maintenance. As is the case with dual-sided designs that are meant to be flipped according to the seasons, owners will constantly have to rotate and flip this mattress. That daunting task is intensified by the mattress's weight, which is significant thanks to the use of quality, dense materials. For many, this task may prove to be more trouble than the benefits it offers.
Despite the noble intentions behind its design, at the end of the day, the question of comfort will always be the prime determinant of a mattress's value. And in the case of the Flaxby Masters Guild 8150, the lack of a softer comfort grade option could be its Achilles heel.
