My Impressions After Three Weeks Using the Adjust-A-Loft™ Pillow
Brian Acton
When it comes to the type of pillow I like to sleep on, I’m pretty stuck in my ways. I prefer very firm, thick memory foam pillows - the kind that quickly bounce back to their original shape and would pack a wallop in a pillow fight. They just feel right to me.
So when Core Products asked me to test out the Adjust-A-Loft™ soft comfort pillow, I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t ever use soft pillows, and I (perhaps unfairly) associate them with the flat, unsupportive pillows they give you in hotel rooms. In addition, I have ongoing neck pain and stiffness, and I was worried that changing up my pillow could make things worse.
But I gave the Adjust-A-Loft™ a fair shake, replacing my favorite pillow for three weeks. Here’s my experience with the Adjust-A-Loft™.
Setting Up the Adjust-A-Loft™
The Adjust-A-Loft™ arrived rolled up and zipped up in a cylindrical storage bag, which is a nice touch. You can use the bag to store excess fiber or transport your pillow when you travel, as it could easily fit in a suitcase.
Once you take the pillow out, you need to fluff it up and adjust the fiber inside the pillow to your preference. The more fiber you leave inside the pillow, the more support you get. To take fiber out you simply unzip the pillow cover, pull back the liner and pull the fiber out. Instructions for finding the sweet spot are included:
- Side sleepers tend to need the most support, so you should leave 100% of the fiber in the pillow and rest your head on it for a few minutes. If it feels too thick, you can start removing fiber and re-testing until you find the right support level.
- Back sleepers should remove about 25% of the fiber and lay on the pillow for a few minutes, then add or subtract and re-test until the find the right amount of support.
- Stomach sleepers should remove about 33% of the fiber, vigorously fluff their pillow, and test it out for a few minutes. They can then add or subtract fiber from there.
Since I’m a side sleeper who is used to very thick pillows, determining the right support level was easy. After a few minutes testing out the pillow with 100% of the fiber in it, I knew this was the support level I was going to want.
Adjusting to the Adjust-A-Loft™
I can’t stand flat, unsupportive pillows. I was preparing myself for that experience, simply due to my preference for much firmer and thicker pillows. But I was immediately pleased to find that the Adjust-A-Loft™ does not feel like the average hotel pillow. There is some loft to it, and I never felt like my head was sinking down to the mattress.
My head and neck felt well supported, cool, and comfortable, whether I was on my side or back. Even so, it took me a while to get used to my new sleeping arrangements. I tend to take at least 30 minutes to fall asleep, and the first few nights I spent much more time lying awake. I have a feeling this was purely the mental effect of getting accustomed to a new pillow, but nevertheless it was there.
Sleeping on the Adjust-A-Loft™
After an adjustment period of a few days, I had no trouble falling asleep on my regular timetable. While I don’t toss and turn at night, I do wake up a few times to change positions, and I didn’t notice myself doing this any more or less than usual. For that reason, I think I’d gotten used to the Adjust-A-Loft™ after a few days.
After three weeks with The Adjust-A-Loft™, I can say that it is a lot more comfortable and supportive than I was expecting. The material is cool and breathable, and I felt supported no matter what side I was sleeping on or what position my head was in. It’s also lightweight, so I can easily move it around without having to raise my head off the pillow entirely (my usually heavyweight pillows require a little bit more muscle to move around). I tend to get around eight hours of sleep per night, and that pattern has continued with the Adjust-A-Loft™.
That said, my neck pain and stiffness is about the same after using the pillow for a few weeks, so I can’t speak to its ability to alleviate neck pain. My guess is that a cervical pillow may be a better solution for neck pain, but I haven’t yet narrowed down the source of my own pain yet so I’m just not sure.
Overall the Adjust-A-Loft™ is lightweight, cool, comfortable, and supportive. If you like softer pillows and want some control over how much support you get, it’s a solid choice.
In Conclusion
My experience with the Adjust-A-Loft™ pillow was very positive. I’m probably going to continue to use it on a regular basis, and I can definitely see myself taking it with me when I travel as it’s easily transportable and a great replacement for bad hotel pillows.
Here’s my breakdown of the pros and cons for the Adjust-A-Loft™:
Pros
- Comes with a storage bag for extra fiber or travel
- Instructions for adjusting support levels are clear
- Adjustable to your specific support needs
- Supports the head well, and is lightweight and comfortable
Cons
- You can adjust the firmness level some with the fiber, but if you just don’t like soft pillows the Adjust-A-Loft™ might not be for you
- It’s not a cervical pillow so it may not help with neck pain or stiffness, depending on your needs
