Bear Original Mattress Detailed Mattress Review

Scott Paladini founded Bear Mattress in 2014 with the goal of providing high-quality, affordable mattresses that would improve people’s sleep and overall health. Bear quickly gained popularity due to its focus on using advanced materials and technology to aid athlete recovery.  

One key feature of all Bear Mattresses is the use of Celliant, a special mineral based material that is woven into the mattress cover. Celliant has been scientifically shown to improve circulation and reduce pain and discomfort. The company has also established partnerships with organizations such as the American Heart Association, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the National Sleep Foundation, further emphasizing its commitment to promoting healthy sleep. Bear Mattresses are 100% made in the USA and have achieved the stringent GreenGuard Gold certification, ensuring that their mattresses have met some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air. 

In 2022, Bear joined the growing Z3 Brands family which includes world class brands such as Brooklyn Bedding, Helix Sleep and Birch.  They have earned a reputation not only for making the leading mattresses in the industry, but for quick delivery, superior customer support and one of the best trial and warranties in the industry.  Bear joining the team seems like a perfect fit.

Before we dive into the Original’s feel, let’s have a look at the reason the Original is Bear’s most popular mattress   

The Unique Cover

The Original begins with an ultra breathable, highly wicking, hand woven cover with Celliant technology that promotes recover and overall well-being.   

Harnessing Far-Infrared Technology – Celliant is Bear’s secret sauce behind its sleep recovery reputation.  Bear harnesses the power of far infrared waves to aid in sleep recovery by weaving the mineral compound, Celliant, into every cover.  Far infrared is a type of light energy on the electromagnetic spectrum that has several benefits for the body. The “Far” part refers to where the wavelengths fall on the light spectrum. Celliant captures body heat and reflects it back as far-infrared.  Studies have shown that far infrared reduces inflammation and increases blood flow, thereby aiding in recovery.  

Celliant® fibers have been determined as a medical device and general wellness product by the FDA.The FDA has determined that Celliant products are medical devices as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and are general wellness products. Celliant is a registered trademark of Hologenix LLC

Comfort Layer

Gel Infused Memory Foam: Bear infused gel into the top comfort layer of the Original.  Gel pulls away heat from the body (think osmosis from high-school biology).  Once the heat is captures, it dissipates it through the mattress edges keeping you cool at night.

Dynamic Transition Foam: Bear’s dynamic transition is a key component of both the comfort and support of the Original mattress.  Where the gel infused memory foam layer brings you in, the transition foam is more responsive and adds support.  The dynamic nature of the foam allows it to spring back so you sleep more “on-top” of the mattress.  In addition, the foam is provide additional support where it counts, in the lumber and hip region.  The result is exceptional pressure relief that can help reduce joint and muscle pain. Additionally, the cooling gel infused within the transition foam further pulls heat away from the body, keeping you cool all night long.  The open cell structure and overall design enables it to have higher water absorption and greater moisture wicking. This engineering allows moisture to be released from the mattress more quickly, also contributing to a cooler, more comfortable sleep.  You’ll have 2 inches of transition foam on the Bear Original.

Support System

The Bear Original’s support system is where it sets itself apart from the Pro Hybrid.  The Original employs an ultra dense 6” foam support core directly underneath the transition layer.  This core is built for durability and to further eliminate any motion transfer within the mattress.  This combination allows for exceptional reactivity and motion isolation, minimizing sleep disturbance.  Bear brings the support core all the way to the edge to create greater edge support along the sides, head and foot of the bed.  The result?  A solid support system that will last for years  to come and everything you would expect from a performance mattress.

Tufting

Tufting is the process where the individual parts of the mattress are either sewn or glued together to prevent slippage.  In the Original’s case, Bear does not tuft the mattress.  The cover is stretched over the top of the mattress.  As a result, the Original offers a flat, smooth surface.  

Does The Original Sleep Cool?

YES!  We found the Original to offer a neutral  temperature control.  Being cool at night is all about being dry.  Original accomplishes this through it breathable cover, multiple gel memory foam layers and finally the breathability offered by the support base.

1. The cover wicks away moisture and enables you to directly feel the cooling properties.
2. The gel infused and responsive copper memory foam comfort layer pulls heat from the body (and doesn’t return it!)
3. As the mattress is all foam.  A hybrid can offer greater air circulation, however, the Original channels warm air out of the mattress through its proprietary design.

Final result – the Original will keep you cool and dry throughout the night allowing your body to get the rest it deserves.

How about Edge Support?

The Original offers good edge support.  The foam core support system maintains its strength all the way to the edge to allow for maximum use of the sleeping surface.  And, the stretched cover around the edge of the Original helps keep the layers snug around the edges and corners.  Even though the Original has several inches of memory foam comfort layer, you will be able to sleep comfortably all the way to the edge of the mattress without worry of “slipping off”!

Will the Original Stand the Test of Time?

The Original is a high quality mattress and Bear spends a tremendous amount of time stress testing the materials to get the most out of the springs and foam. The dense transition foam is more durable than regular gel-foams. The result?  A long lasting bed that can support well over 800lbs.  

Bear Original (7.1 on the Firmness Scale)

In this budget category, it’s hard to find an all foam mattress with the level of athlete recovery, cooling technology and support as the Bear Original.  

The Original is a medium-firm that definitely skews  more towards the firmer end of that spectrum.  Rated a 7.1 out of 10 on the firmness scale, it’s best suited for stomach, back and combo sleepers.  Exclusive side sleepers will usually prefer a more contouring mattress and should look towards Star Hybrid, or even the Elite Hybrid.  Built with athlete recovery in mind, as soon as you lay on the Original, you feel the soft texture of the breathable cover and the cooling gel foam give that touch of coolness as the infrared reflecting Celliant cover goes to work on your body. 

There is a a little bounce to the Original and you will definitely sleep more “on-top” of the mattress as opposed to sinking “in” it.  That’s the dynamic nature of the foams responding quickly as you move,  filling to their original form.  You definitely won’t have that “quicksand” feeling of many memory foam mattresses.  

Almost immediately you will feel the support of the high density transition foam on your lumbar and the coil system begins to push back and cradle your body no matter which position you sleep.  You will feel some pressure relief, but you will really feel the support as the mattress works to to keep the spine properly aligned.  

The sweet spot for weight is up to 220lbs.  Above that weight, you’ll start to lose the benefit of the pressure relief from the gel as your body rests more on the foam core.  In this case, look towards the Star Hybrid and or the Elite Hybrid medium.  The Elite Hybrid provides additional support through its 5-zoned coil base.  Finally, No matter your sleeping style, this bed will keep you cool and dry.  In this incredible budget range, it’s hard to fined a sleep system geared more towards the hard working athlete. 

• On Sandman’s Firmness Scale, we rate the Bear Original a 7.1 out of 10.
• Back, stomach and combo sleepers will enjoy the most as you’ll sleep more “on top”.  Exclusive side sleepers will be left wanting greater pressure relief for contouring.   
• The cover and gel foams will keep you cool and dry all night long. 
• Edge support is good – the dense core extends to the edges for a stronger perimeter.

The Bear Original offers EXCELLENT motion isolation.  Due to the open cell technology of the all foam mattress, you will not feel your partner move at night.  Whether they are a toss and turner, an early riser or using the facilities, it’s not the bed that will wake you.  Memory foam, by its very nature, does not transfer motion.  It absorbs energy.  The Bear Original uses the transition gel foam to provide the extra absorption, mitigating motion transfer as much as possible.  If you need total motion isolation, then look no further.

All Bear mattresses come in a box. It’s crazy to think that a king size Bear Original model with powerful springs and dense foams can be compressed, but it can.  And, with no sacrifice to quality and durability.  The way Bear compresses its mattresses it keeps its shape and strength.  The box arrives via Fedex from their Phoenix, AZ factory.  Simply unbox the mattress.  Rest it on the bed frame and remove the plastic wrapping and the bed will decompress before your eyes.  You can begin sleeping on the bed and enjoying a restful night sleep that same day.

Bear offers a 120 night trial period.  You may either return it for a 100% refund, or exchange it for a different mattress and pay/refund any price difference.  Here’s how the system works:

1. The trial begins when you RECEIVE the mattress (the FedEx delivery day).
2. You can sleep on it for 120 nights.  As there can be a slight break-in period, Bear asks that you not initiate a return during the first 30 days.  
3. If it’s not the mattress of your dreams, reach out Bear at [email protected], via phone (844-311-0035), email or chat (on their website), provide your name and order number and let them know if you wish to RETURN or EXCHANGE.  Either way, there are no questions asked!
4. Returns: In most cases, Bear will request that you have the mattress donated. Many of the charity foundations that are available offer a local pickup service. In the event that you are having trouble getting this coordinated, please let Bear know and they will offer additional assistance. Once donated, you will receive a full refund.  If you are having trouble, reach out to Bear and they will be happy to assist.
5. Full 100% refunds (no fees!!) are issued within 3-4 business days of the pick-up. 
6. Exchanges: For an exchange, Bear will send the new mattress to your home BEFORE the old one is removed so you’ll never be without a bed to sleep on. 

Bear doesn’t stop there!  After the trial period ends, Bear offers a Lifetime warranty.

Yes, Bear Mattress offers financing through Affirm.  Pay as low as 0% for 12-24 months with Affirm.  Click here to see if you qualify.

Bear has 14 showrooms located in the Phoenix and Scottsdale AZ area.   However, if you are in the Chicago or Columbus OH area, please visit to test out the Bear Original Mattress.  We’ll (we’ll even help get it ordered for you!)