Douglas Alpine Review
Product Research: Our Process
Douglas Alpine: Is It Really an “Upgrade”?
Our Verdict
Other than the 365-night trial and the 20-year warranty, there are not many features that stand out to make Douglas Alpine a worthwhile investment over other all-foam models on the market. Due to the surface’s enveloping feel and edge support that did not withstand my husband’s 200lb frame, I believe it’s worth considering alternatives, such as The Endy Plush, to receive the comfort you desire for a more palatable price.
Douglas Alpine: Is It Really an “Upgrade”?
Mattress Sizes & Prices
| Size | Price | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | $799 | 38″ x 75″ x 11” |
| Twin XL | $849 | 38″ x 80″ x 11” |
| Full / Double | $899 | 53″ x 75″ x 11” |
| Queen | $999 | 60″ x 80″ x 11” |
| King | $1099 | 76″ x 80″ x 11″ |
| California King | $1099 | 72″ x 84″ x 11” |
Purchasing and Returns
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Douglas Alpine arrived at my doorstep in a compact box and was pretty beat up when I received it. The mattress wasn’t too heavy and easy to bring inside but did make me question the density of the foam, as the other all-foam mattresses I tested were heavier. Upon unboxing, the mattress took about 20-30 minutes to expand to its full form, but I wasn’t confident about the sturdiness and opted to wait a full 48 hours before sleeping on it. It smelled from the off-gassing and took 43 days for the smell to dissipate completely, I was experiencing headaches and coughing as a result. This is not uncommon for all foam mattresses, but was significantly longer than the Casper, Endy, and Silk & Snow models we’ve tested.
Construction
1. Douglas CoolSense® Cover
The machine-washable cover is made with cooling-infused nanofibers meant for temperature regulation.
2. 2.25” ecoLight® Cooling Gel Foam + Polar® Temperature Balancing
A layer of cooling-gel-infused memory foam meant to regulate temperature.
3. 2.25” Premium Elastex® Foam
Body-contouring memory foam.
4. 6.5” Motion Isolation Support Foam
Foundational support foam.
Comfort
Compared to the Douglas Original, even with the 1” of additional height, the Douglas Alpine does not necessarily provide more comfort. Other than slightly more thickness in the foam, the construction is similar in every way, so the discomfort I felt in my lower back with the Douglas Original was present in the Alpine as well. The lack of firmness puts this on the medium-soft side, making it difficult to maintain a neutral spine.
Firmness
The Douglas Alpine leans towards the medium-soft side, scoring 4 out of 10 on the firmness scale. Due to this, I was sinking into the mattress 5-8 inches deeper than other medium-firm all-foam mattresses, like the Endy Original. The mattress has a flat surface (no tufting or quilting on the top layer), so I found the additional sinkage created more difficulty with moving around during the night and getting in and out of bed.
Motion Transfer
As someone who shares a bed with a partner, motion isolation is paramount for me. The Douglas Alpine did not impress in this area. I could feel my partner getting in and out of bed and sometimes his movements as well. In our lab tests, we noticed the water shake significantly (over 5 seconds) when we dropped a 5lb ball on the surface, indicating the mattress is not as successful in absorbing motion as the Endy.
Cooling
Douglas Alpine claims their “Polar Temperature Balancing” keeps sleepers cool throughout the night. The mattress feels cool to the touch, but after watching TV on the mattress for 2 hours, the surface temperature raised 5 degrees Celsius. This indicates it was retaining body heat, as well as the heat from my laptop, and may not be able to wick away heat as quickly as I hoped.
Edge Support
The Douglas Alpine fell short of my edge support expectations. The first time I sat down on the edge to pick out clothes from my drawer, I slipped down and almost fell off. When I measured the support against the Douglas Original, I noticed that both mattresses sunk down to about 7” in height under me. Therefore, the medium-soft layers added to the Alpine aren’t adding additional support and contributing to an overall feeling of instability, even though the performance is technically the same as the Douglas Original.
Sinkage and Responsiveness
As I noted earlier, the enveloping nature made me feel “stuck” in the mattress. This makes getting in and out of bed somewhat difficult, which can lead to back pains (and frustration) a few days later. The mattress would respond within seconds after pressure was removed but lacks bounce. When we dropped a 5lb ball onto the mattress, it only bounced once, and a few centimetres above the mattress’ surface, before settling.
How does it suit different sleeping positions?
Side Sleepers
The Douglas Alpine can be soft enough for most side sleepers who prefer a cushiony feel. That being said, those who dislike the “sinking in” feeling may still find it uncomfortable and not supportive enough.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers may find this mattress to lack the firmness they desire, and their lumbar region may find the sinkage too deep. However, for lightweight back sleepers, the Douglas Alpine can be comfortable enough.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers will find this mattress to be too soft for them, causing their hips to sink too deep and not supportive enough to maintain spinal alignment.
Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers may find the Douglas Alpine difficult to sleep in due to the enveloping feel. Lightweight combination sleepers may find they can move easily, but bigger bodies may feel stuck when they try to move throughout the night.
Lightweight Sleepers
For lightweight sleepers, the Douglas Alpine can provide adequate support and comfort, as they do not require more support or firmness.
Heavy People
Heavier individuals should consider better alternatives that provide ample firmness and support for them. The Endy Firm mattress is a durable, budget-friendly option to look into.
Should You Buy the Douglas Alpine?
My immediate concerns for the Douglas Alpine were the lack of firmness and edge support and the deep sinkage. As a supposed upgrade to the Douglas Original, the overall performance did not justify an additional $200 for the Queen. Specifically, the sinkage on the edge support concerns me, as it indicates the added layer of foam buckles under weight, and therefore may not offer the long-term durability many shoppers seek when looking for a mattress.
The lack of performance in cooling, motion isolation, and edge support is one reason this mattress may only be good for short-term use, such as a vacation home or for a growing child. However, for the same price for a queen, alternative options like the Endy Plush Mattress provide incredible comfort, support, and breathability. I’d recommend considering the Endy Plush – or even the Endy Original with a medium-firm composition – as tried and true better bang for your buck.
Please note: All prices referenced in this article reflect MSRPs and are accurate to the best of our knowledge as of February 1, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Douglas Alpine Compares to Similar Mattresses
|
Douglas Alpine |
The Endy Plush |
Silk & Snow S&S |
Douglas Original |
|
| Rating |
6.78/10 |
9.20/10 |
9.26/10 |
6.71/10 |
| Firmness |
Medium-soft: 4/10 |
Medium-plush: 5/10 |
Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
Medium-soft: 4/10 |
| Material |
Memory Foam |
Memory Foam |
Memory Foam |
Memory Foam |
| Cooling |
|
|
|
|
| Best For |
Side Sleepers, Lightweight Sleepers, Short term use |
Suits a wide range of sleepers |
Suits a wide range of sleepers |
Side Sleepers, Lightweight Sleepers, Short term use |
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