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Bear is a direct-to-consumer mattress company that specializes in mattresses designed to promote muscle recovery. While these mattresses were engineered to cater to the needs of athletes, the advanced technology may also appeal to other sleepers.
The company currently produces three models: the Bear, the Bear Pro, and the Bear Hybrid. Both the flagship Bear Original and the technologically advanced Bear Pro are constructed of foam exclusively. Additional reviews on this site will cover these models in-depth.
This review will focus exclusively on the Bear Hybrid. The Bear Hybrid is Bear’s only hybrid model. Built for a more luxurious, hotel-like feel, the Bear Hybrid utilizes cooling technology, multiple layers of foam, and a coil core. As the company’s luxury model, it comes in at a higher price than Bear’s other mattresses.
We’ll detail the Bear Hybrid’s construction, assess its performance, and summarize its pricing structure and company policies. If you’re considering buying the Bear Hybrid, our Bear Hybrid Mattress review can give you the information you need to decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Watch the video below to see how the Bear Hybrid performed when put to the test in the Sleep Foundation Lab.
The Bear Hybrid is a medium firm mattress. This firmness level can accommodate most sleepers regardless of their weight or position preferences.
A Celliant fiber cover tops the mattress. Celliant fiber is a responsive textile engineered to reflect the body’s energy back towards it. This is thought to aid circulation, promote cell recovery, regulate temperature, and support quality sleep.
The cover is quilted with gel-infused polyfoam, which cushions the surface of the mattress while wicking heat away from the sleeper’s body. Next, a layer of polyfoam adds to the contouring without permitting much sinkage. A transitional layer of polyfoam acts as a barrier between the comfort system and the firmer coil core.
Coils in the mattress’s support system give bounce while allowing air to circulate. Each coil is individually encased to minimize motion transfer between springs. A final layer of polyfoam gives the coil system a stable base to rest on.
The Bear Hybrid totals 14 inches thick, making it a high-profile model. Because of its thickness, the Bear Hybrid may require extra deep sheets.
The Bear Hybrid is constructed of five layers, including four layers of polyfoam and a layer of pocketed coils. Its comfort system consists of two layers of polyfoam, the transition layer uses polyfoam, the support core has pocketed coils, and a final base layer uses polyfoam.
Celliant fabric
2″ Polyfoam (Gel-Infused, Quilted Cover)
2″ Polyfoam
1″ Polyfoam
8″ Pocketed coils
1″ HD Polyfoam
The Bear Hybrid is Bear’s most expensive model, but it comes in at a lower price than average for a hybrid. Given the Bear Hybrid’s low price point and advanced materials, it may be an exceptional choice for value-conscious shoppers. Additionally, Bear frequently has offers that lower the price further.
| Sizes | Dimensions | Height | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin | 39" x 75" | 14" | 60 lbs. | $1,095 |
| Twin XL | 39"x 80" | 14" | 60 lbs. | $1,295 |
| Full | 54" x 75" | 14" | 80 lbs. | $1,495 |
| Queen | 60" x 80" | 14" | 110 lbs. | $1,695 |
| King | 76" x 80" | 14" | 140 lbs. | $1,995 |
| California King | 72" x 84" | 14" | 140 lbs. | $1,995 |
Compared to other hybrid models, the Bear Hybrid has moderate motion isolation.
While two layers of polyfoam in its comfort system and a transition layer of polyfoam absorb a fair amount of motion, they are unlikely to prevent motion transfer completely. The Bear Hybrid’s coil core adds bounce to the mattress, and this bounce could contribute to motion transfer. The pocketing of the coils should limit the spread of motion between individual springs, but people who tend to wake up easily when their partner moves may notice some vibrations during the night.
The Bear Hybrid’s two comfort layers cushion and contour, giving it pressure relief equivalent to or better than most hybrids on the market.
A top layer of gel-infused polyfoam gives enough padding to cushion the shoulder and hips. The second layer of polyfoam gives deeper cradling to spread out the sleeper’s body weight and reduce pressure buildup. Because of its medium firm feel, sleepers will not be able to sink in very far, giving the Bear Hybrid a strong balance of support and pressure relief without much hug.
Like many hybrid models, temperature regulation is one of the Bear Hybrid’s biggest strengths. Sleepers who tend to run hot may enjoy a cooler night’s sleep on the Bear Hybrid Mattress.
Celliant technology in the Bear Hybrid’s cover is engineered to help regulate temperatures. A layer of polyfoam quilted into the cover is infused with gel to pull heat away from the sleeper’s body. The coil core allows ample airflow, further cooling the mattress.
While the Bear Hybrid has relatively sturdy edges, they may not feel quite as secure as those of some hybrid models.
The springs in the coil layer can move independently to respond to changes in pressure. This helps create a sturdier perimeter than most all-foam models, but sleepers may still experience some sinkage when they approach the edge of the bed. For most people, this should not be significant enough to limit the functional surface of the mattress. However, some heavier individuals could experience more significant sinkage that might make them avoid the edge due to the feeling of instability.
The Bear Hybrid’s supportive surface and medium firm feel make it easier to move on than many hybrid models. Most sleepers do not sink into the mattress very deeply, so they are unlikely to feel “trapped in the bed.” Additionally, the Bear Hybrid’s polyfoam comfort layers return their original shape quickly when pressure is removed, so sleepers can change position without struggling to escape the existing impression of their body. Bounce from the coil layer further adds to the Bear Hybrid’s responsiveness.
Its combination of bounce and light contouring may make the Bear Hybrid an appropriate surface for sexual activity. The coil core gives the bed a springy feel that many couples enjoy. Polyfoam comfort layers contour lightly, giving traction without restricting movement. This compares favorably to other hybrid models.
The Bear Hybrid is likely to have similar off-gassing odors to other hybrid models that use synthetic foams, but it may air out more quickly thanks to its breathable build.
Smells from the manufacturing process may be trapped in the foam layers when the mattress is compressed for shipment and release as the mattress decompresses. These odors are usually not considered harmful for most people. However, some mattress buyers may choose to air out the mattress outside of their bedroom until the smells dissipate. As a general rule, this may take between a few hours and a few days.
The Bear Hybrid uses polyfoam, which tends to be more breathable than memory foam. This material coupled with the strong airflow through the cover and coil core should help the Bear Hybrid air out relatively quickly.
Side Sleepers:
The Bear Hybrid’s two polyfoam comfort layers have enough give to accommodate a side sleeper’s shoulders and hips. A quilted cover provides cushioning and softness, and a second polyfoam layer contours more deeply. Thanks to the mattress’s medium firm feel, side sleepers should get the support they need to keep their spines aligned while enjoying exceptional contouring and pressure relief.
Side sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds may experience the best balance between conforming and support. Individuals who weigh under 130 pounds are also likely to sleep comfortably on the Bear Hybrid, though they may experience slight pressure buildup around their shoulders and hips due to the mattress’s medium firm feel.
Back Sleepers:
Firm, stable support from the Bear Hybrid can accommodate back sleepers from all weight groups. Its medium firm feel does not allow much sinkage, so it should give most back sleepers the support they need to prevent their hips from sagging too deeply into the mattress. This can help keep the spine in its natural alignment. While the mattress is firm enough to provide even support, the quilted cover adds some cushioning for increased comfort.
Since back sleepers usually prefer a firmer feel than their side-sleeping counterparts, the Bear Hybrid may be the best match for back sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds. Back sleepers who weigh over 130 pounds will also likely experience good support and cushioning, but their hips could sink in slightly deeper than ideal, making it more challenging to maintain their spinal alignment.
Stomach Sleepers:
People tend to carry extra weight near their hips and bellies. When a person sleeps on their stomach, this extra weight can pull the sleeper’s midsection more deeply into the mattress and put a strain on their spine. Stomach sleepers usually need a firmer feel to prevent excessive midsection sinkage, so the Bear Hybrid’s medium firm feel is well suited for lighter-weight stomach sleepers.
The hips of stomach sleepers who weigh under 130 pounds are unlikely to sink in too much, and the quilted cover gives a touch of softness. Stomach sleepers who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds may also enjoy the plush surface, though they could sink in a bit more than ideal near their hips. Individuals who weigh over 230 pounds may experience more notable sagging near their midsections, which could put a strain on their spines.
| Under 130 lbs. | 130-230 lbs. | Above 230 lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side Sleepers | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Back Sleepers | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Stomach Sleepers | Excellent | Good | Fair |
The Bear Hybrid is sold through the Bear website. While the Bear Original is sold on Amazon, the Bear Hybrid is not available on the site at this time. Bear mattresses are also displayed in Bear’s Hoboken showroom and at partner stores in Austin, TX and McLean, VA.
Bear mattresses ship within the United States and Canada.
The Bear Hybrid ships for free within the contiguous United States and Canada. An additional $100 fee applies to orders to Alaska and Hawaii.
Mattresses are constructed after an order is placed. The customer will receive a tracking number when their order ships. Most mattresses arrive within 2 to 7 business days. Orders to Canada may take up to 10 business days.
Bear ships its mattresses compressed in a box. Mattresses are shipped via FedEx, and Bear encourages customers to sign up for the FedEx Delivery Manager. This service allows customers to place vacation holds, request the package be held for pickup, provide delivery instructions, and more.
Customers are responsible for moving the mattress to the room of choice, unpacking it, and setting it up. The Bear Hybrid can be used immediately after setup, but it could take up to 48 hours to finish decompressing.
When checking out, customers can purchase White Glove delivery for an additional $100 fee. This service includes moving the mattress to the room of choice, setting it up, and removing the packaging. For an extra $50 fee (for a total fee of $150), the team will also remove the old mattress at the driver’s discretion. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to receive an order with White Glove delivery.
The Bear Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial. A 30-night adjustment period is required before a return can be initiated. During the window in which the mattress is eligible for return, customers can contact Bear to initiate the process. Bear will arrange to remove the mattress at no charge to the customer, and the customer will receive a full refund of the purchase price.
The Bear Hybrid has a 20-year partially prorated warranty. For the first 10 years, Bear will be responsible for repairing or replacing mattresses it finds defective, while the customer will be responsible for associated transportation and handling costs. From year 11 through year 20, Bear will elect to either repair a defective mattress or replace it at a prorated charge to the customer. The customer will also be responsible for transportation costs.
This warranty applies to the original mattress owner who bought their mattress from an authorized seller. It covers visible sagging greater than 1.5 inches and physical flaws that lead to the foam splitting or cracking. Damage due to an improper foundation or mattress misuse is not covered. Mattresses that are stained, burned, torn, or otherwise physically damaged are ineligible for warranty coverage.
Additional terms and conditions apply.
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