Any professional mattress tester will tell you that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all mattress. However, the Helix Midnight comes pretty darn close. Its medium-firm feel and high scores across the board make this mattress a good option for many different kinds of sleepers, including most back and stomach sleepers, average-weight side sleepers, combination sleepers, and couples looking for a mattress they can really spread out on. Our testers gave the Helix Midnight a 4/5 or higher in edge support, motion transfer, responsiveness, and pressure relief.
My fellow mattress testers and I have gone through extensive training to ensure we provide accurate recommendations using our rigorous methodology. When developing our testing methodology, we also work closely with a network of medical professionals to punch up our assessments, and in turn, our advice to shoppers like you. Our chief medical advisor, Dr. Raj Dasgupta MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, helped us ensure accuracy and non-bias throughout our testing process.
In total, our team of expert testers and certified sleep science coaches has tested 600 mattresses and 150 sleep products over the past 7 years, so we know a thing or two about what goes into making the best mattresses. We’ve helped 5,919 people buy a new mattress in 2024, and more than 35,000 people over the years we’ve been in operation.
Keep reading to learn more about the Helix Midnight, the tests we performed on it, and who we recommend it for.

Helix Midnight Mattress

Product Details
Our Recommendation
Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating
Our mattress testers conducted a series of tests on the Helix Midnight to assess how this bed performed and what kind of sleepers it’s best suited to. After our tests, we awarded this mattress an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. The Helix Midnight excels in edge support, motion isolation, and response but falls short in cooling.
Based on this, we think the Helix Midnight is a great fit for most back and stomach sleepers, couples who don’t overheat, and fans of a responsive, springy sleep surface.
For more detailed information on each category, you can hover over a test category to see a definition and read Mattress Clarity’s testing methodology.
Watch Us Test the Helix Midnight Mattress
I recommend the Helix Midnight for…
- The Helix Midnight has excellent motion isolation, so I think it would work well for couples or those who share the bed with a pet.
- Light and average-weight back sleepers will find themselves comfortably supported for restful sleep. It has a medium-firm feel, which offers plenty of lumbar support for people who weigh less than 230 lbs.
- Similarly, light and average-weight side sleepers should also like the Helix Midnight, thanks to its lumbar support and gentle cushioning.

I don’t recommend the Helix Midnight for…
- The Helix Midnight isn’t firm enough to support stomach sleepers’ hips. In this sleeping position, these sleepers might develop lower back pain.
- Heavier back and stomach sleepers will probably sink into the comfort layer quite a bit, which might cause their spines to be misaligned.
- Fans of slow-moving mattresses will probably find that this mattress is too bouncy. If you want a mattress that will contour your body, you may want to consider getting an all-foam bed.

Helix Midnight Mattress Test Performance: My Overall Thoughts
I assess mattresses based on their performance in specific categories. Each category is given a score, which is compiled for an average. The Helix Midnight earned an average score of 4.2/5.
Below, I’ll break down the Helix Midnight’s performance in each category. For a category description, scroll over the category names in the chart below.
How Firm Is The Helix Midnight Mattress?

The Helix Midnight is a medium-firm mattress, meaning it should be a good choice for most back and stomach sleepers. However, side sleepers who weigh 130 pounds or less might feel that this mattress is too firm for their hips, shoulders, and other potential pressure points. Conversely, sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or more may sink too far into the Helix Midnight to feel adequately supported.
My fellow mattress testers and I rank beds on a firmness scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being like sleeping on a marshmallow and a 10 feeling similar to a hardwood floor. Most mattresses that we test fall between a 5 and 9, with 6.5, or medium-firm, being the industry standard. It should be noted that firmness is somewhat subjective and can vary depending on weight and sleep position.
Mattress tester Riley Otis falls in our lightweight category, and she gave the Helix Midnight a firmness rating of 6.5 out of 10 across all sleeping positions. During testing, she felt comfortable in every sleeping position on this mattress. Her feedback was surprising because lightweight side sleepers typically prefer something a little softer than medium-firm to provide the contouring they need around high-pressure areas.
“I really loved lying on my side on this mattress,” Riley said. “I felt like it had the perfect mix of cushioning and support. My hips and shoulders sank in the perfect amount, so I had good spinal alignment.”
How Well Did the Helix Midnight Perform?
Test | Performance | Average |
Firmness Level | 6.5/10 – Medium-Firm | 6.6/10 – Medium-Firm |
Side Sleeper Comfort | Good | – |
Back Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | – |
Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Unpleasant | – |
Pressure Relief | 4.5/5 | 3.8 |
Edge Support | 4.4/5 | 4.1 |
Cooling | 3.5/5 | 4 |
Motion Isolation | 4/5 | 3.9 |
Response | 4/5 | 4.2 |
Sinkage Depth | 3.7″ | 3.12″ |
Sinkage Rating | Moderate | Moderate |
Bounce Height | 16″ | 17.89″ |
Bounce Rating | Moderate | Moderate |
Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
Sex | 4.47/5 | – |
Trial Period | 3.5/5 | 4.3 |
Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
Unboxing & Moving | 5/5 | 4.2 |
Readiness After Unboxing | 5/5 | – |
Off-gassing | 5/5 | – |
How Does the Helix Midnight Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
A mattress’s firmness will feel significantly different to a 120-pound sleeper and a 230-pound sleeper. Your preferred sleeping position also impacts your bed’s firmness and support. For these reasons, we invited mattress experts of different shapes, sizes, and sleep preferences to test the Helix Midnight on their sides, backs, and stomachs.
Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
Light (under 130 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
Average (130-230 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Good | Unpleasant |
While testing this mattress, we also invited Dr. Hannah Habeeb, DPT to assess the Helix Midnight and offer feedback. After lying on her back and side, she noted that the Midnight could be a strong option for those with pain and discomfort around common pressure points.
“I would recommend this mattress to folks with shoulder pain,” she said. “It’s very soft and offers a good amount of sinkage, which feels really nice around the shoulders.”
Similarly, she also liked the Helix Midnight for hip pain and said that people with lateral hip pain will likely find a ton of relief on this mattress. However, she felt that the Helix Midnight didn’t offer enough support for folks with more severe back pain.
“It’s a little too soft to provide enough support to relieve pain at the back, but it’s not terrible,” Dr. Habeeb said. “I would recommend a firmer mattress to these sleepers. Firmer beds are better pain relievers for folks with more severe back pain.”
Heavyweight Tester
Our heavyweight mattress tester, Matt Schickling, thought that the Helix Midnight was most comfortable on his back. In this position, he felt evenly supported throughout his entire body. He was mostly comfortable on his side as well, but felt some slight discomfort around his shoulders.
Average-weight Tester
Our average-weight mattress tester, Matt Dustin, felt a bit more pressure while lying on his back, but thought it was near-perfect while on his side.
“It feels better than my mattress at home on my side,” he said. “It has a nice cozy, plush feel to it while still remaining supportive.”
Lightweight Tester
“I really like this mattress on my back and side,” said mattress tester Riley. “Overall it feels super cozy and I could lay here for hours, especially on my back. This mattress is very comfortable and has a true medium-firm feel.”
Helix Midnight In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
“It’s important to find a mattress that offers adequate pressure relief,” explains Dr. Dasgupta. “If you’re not getting enough pressure relief as you sleep, it can lead to disrupted sleep and increased pain or discomfort.”
To assess this factor, our mattress testers use a specialized mat, which we lay out across the surface of the bed, and then lie on top of it in the back- and side-sleeping positions. This generates a color-coded thermal pressure map that measures the average pressure across the mat, as well as where it builds up the most. Blue and green are signs of low pressure, while yellow and red mean high pressure.
We gave this bed an overall pressure relief score of 4.5/5. We gathered objective data from our pressure mat and had testers in each weight category rate their experiences on the mattress to come up with this score. Let’s take a look at their feedback below.
Lightweight Sleepers
ur lightweight tester Riley Otis didn’t have any trouble getting comfortable on her back or side on this mattress. She felt like she got plenty of pressure relief and support on her back and her side and gave both positions a perfect 5/5. According to our pressure mat, her average pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI) was 12.76 on her back and 14.21 on her side. While the back pressure was slightly above the average mattress PSI of 12.4, her side pressure remained lower than the overall mattress average for side sleepers.
“I love this mattress on my side,” Riley said. “It is nice and plush on top and its supportive, individually wrapped coils underneath prevent me from sinking too far. I don’t think I would have any issues sleeping on this mattress long-term on my side or back. I think its medium-firm feel will work for a lot of positions and body types.”
Average-weight Sleepers
Our average-weight mattress tester, Matt Dustin, found solid pressure relief results in both positions, but he found that the Helix Midnight was more comfortable on his side. His average PSIs were 19.78 on his side and 17.12 on his back, both of which are a bit higher than the average mattress PSI in these positions. Despite this, he rated both positions a 4/5.
“I don’t feel any pressure on my neck or shoulders on my side,” he said. “My spine is aligned pretty well overall. I feel a bit more cushioning and sinkage at my hips, but they’re still supported and in line with my shoulders.”
Heavyweight Sleepers
Finally, it was time for our heavyweight mattress tester, Matt Schickling, to lie on the Helix Midnight. His average PSIs were 13.16 on his back and 15.05 on his side, meaning his results were slightly above average in both positions.
“My back felt better than my side on the Midnight,” he said. “However, my body was evenly supported in both positions. I think this is a nice experience as far as pressure relief goes.”
Edge Support
Edge support is vital for couples who prefer to spread out to the far reaches of the mattress and sleepers with mobility concerns who need a sturdy surface to bear down on when they get up in the morning. A bed with sturdy edge support will feel just as supportive around the perimeter as it does in the center or anywhere else on the mattress. Edge support is also a good indicator of durability.
“Durable mattresses usually always have a strong support core and good edge support,” explains Dr. Dasgupta. “A high-quality mattress should provide long-lasting, consistent support and maintain its structural integrity over time.”
Like most hybrid models, this Helix mattress excels in this category, earning an edge support score of 4.4/5.
Mattress tester Riley sat and lay on the edges and corners of the Helix Midnight to get a good feel for how it would perform for different sleepers. She found that she felt secure while sitting and lying on the sides of the mattress. However, she also noted that the head and foot of the bed don’t have the same reinforced edges as the left and right sides. In other words, folks will feel less support sitting on the foot of the bed than they do on the side.
“I felt super secure when lying near the edge of the bed in all three sleeping positions,” Riley said. “The edges felt just as secure as the center of the bed, and I never felt at risk of falling off. I think sleepers will be able to fully spread out and use the entire surface of the mattress and still feel supported.”



Cooling
If you often wake up drenched in sweat, you may want to opt for one of our best cooling mattresses picks instead of the Helix Midnight. While the Midnight has a breathable top cover and innerspring coils to facilitate airflow, our testers found that its temperature-regulating abilities were just average. However, if you need a little extra oomph when it comes to cooling, Helix offers a GlacioTex cooling cover add-on for an additional $299.
To assess the Helix Midnight’s cooling abilities, Riley used a thermal gun to measure the surface temperature of the mattress before lying on it for 7 minutes and taking its temperature again. She found that the temperature increased 10.5 degrees from 73.2 to 83.7. While lying on the Midnight, she didn’t feel uncomfortable, but she wasn’t blown away either. She gave the Helix Midnight a 3/5 in the cooling category.
“The longer I was on it, the more I could feel it heating up below me,” she said. “The areas where my body came in contact were noticeably warmer than the untouched parts of the bed. I didn’t feel uncomfortably hot, but I wouldn’t recommend this bed to sleepers prone to overheating since its cooling abilities are just okay.”

Motion Isolation
Sharing a bed with a restless partner can feel a lot like trying to fall asleep during an earthquake. If this sounds similar to your experience, you’re probably looking for a mattress that can dampen motion transfer and isolate the tremors to one side of the bed. Fortunately, the Helix Midnight did a solid job on our motion transfer tests and earned a 4/5 in this category.
We test motion isolation in two parts — the ripple test and the couple’s motion test. With the ripple test, we place a glass of water on one side, get in and out of bed, and switch positions. When tester Riley rolled around on the bed, you could see some gentle ripples in the glass, but none of it splashed out. When she got in and out of bed, the water in the cup didn’t spill or move around much. Overall, the Helix Midnight showed better motion isolation than other hybrid mattresses.
For the couple’s motion test, Riley put on a blindfold, and another tester got into bed and mimicked a partner switching positions and getting up in the middle of the night. She noticed minimal movement when her testing partner shifted in bed, but she could not tell exactly what they were doing. Her feedback suggests that while some motion transfer is present, it’s subtle enough that most sleepers shouldn’t be significantly disturbed by their bedmate’s movements.
“I think the Helix Midnight has surprisingly good motion isolation for a hybrid mattress,” she said. “However, very light sleepers prone to waking up may be disturbed. Sound sleepers should be able to sleep through it.”



Response
Response refers to how fast a mattress bounces back after weight is removed from it. Typically, hybrid and innerspring mattresses are bouncy and responsive, while memory foam mattresses are less so. Response is important for combination sleepers because it aids mobility when switching between different sleeping positions.
We assess the responsiveness by placing a 43-pound kettlebell on the mattress and letting it rest for seven seconds. When the time is up, we pull the kettlebell off and time how long it takes for the mattress to return to its original shape. The Helix Midnight took 1.4 seconds to inflate back to its full size, which is very fast.
We also asked mattress tester Matt Dustin to move around and change sleeping positions on the bed to see if he could do so easily. Based on his feedback and our kettlebell test results, we think the Helix Midnight is a reasonably responsive mattress that most sleepers should find easy to maneuver on. Our mattress testers gave it a response score of 4/5.
“The memory foam layer was pretty cushiony, but it didn’t feel too restrictive,” said Matt. “I could move from my back to my side, or my side to my stomach, without too much effort.”

Sinkage: Moderate
We measure how far the bed sinks down under a sleeper’s body weight by measuring the depth that it sinks when the kettlebell is applied. The Helix Midnight sank 3.7 inches, which is just barely below the average and in the moderate zone. Moderate sinkage is the sweet spot for most sleepers because it helps them feel cushioned without feeling stuck in the mattress.

Bounce: Moderate
We tested the Helix Midnight’s ability to spring up after weight is dropped on it by plopping a weighted medicine ball from six feet and recording how high it went on our measuring stick. The ball went 16 inches upwards after hitting the Midnight, placing it in the moderate category. This means it’s responsive enough to make movement easy, without feeling overly springy or disruptive during sleep.
Noise
If you’re a light sleeper or someone who is used to sleeping in a dead-quiet environment, the last thing you want is a squeaky mattress. Hybrid and innerspring mattresses can often be noisier than their memory foam counterparts because of occasional creaking noises from their metal springs. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case with the Helix Midnight. When testing this mattress, we found no noticeable noise or squeaking and gave it a 5/5 in this category.
Sex
A mattress’s response and noise scores can help us determine whether a mattress is good for sex. The best mattresses for sex are supportive and bouncy enough to help couples move and switch positions while being quiet enough to avoid disturbing anyone you may share a wall with. Our mattress testers awarded the Helix Midnight a 4/5 for response, 4.4/5 for edge support, and a perfect 5/5 for noise, which gives it an average sex score of 4.47/5.
Adjustable Base Compatibility
Our mattress testers tested the Helix’s adjustable base compatibility with one of our bases in the studio. Based on their feedback, I would recommend the Helix Midnight to folks who want to use an adjustable base with their mattress.
Tester Matt Dustin tried different settings on our adjustable base and found that when he raised the head and foot of the bed to its full height, there was no gap between the base and the mattress. In other words, the Helix Midnight should be able to handle any position you put it in on your adjustable base at home.
“This mattress worked seamlessly with the adjustable base,” Matt said. “The bed conforms to the base with no gapping. I’d give it a perfect 5/5 for compatibility.”
Two-Hour Nap Test/Long-Term Testing
This is the fun part. Our two-hour nap test allows our testers to get some real-world experience with a mattress. For this test, we invited mattress tester Marten Carlson to get cozy under the sheets and take a much-needed nap. He had no trouble sleeping on the Helix Midnight, but found that he wasn’t as comfortable on his stomach on this mattress.
“I started on my back, and I felt a nice boost of lumbar support,” said Marten. “When I shifted to my side, however, I noticed some pressure along my shoulder and hip. I rolled over to my stomach and quickly discovered I was not comfortable. My hips sank into the top layer, which put a lot of pressure on my lower back. Finally, I rolled onto my back and fell asleep. When I woke up, I didn’t feel hot or stuffy. I think the coils did a great job of promoting airflow and helping me stay cool.”

Helix Midnight Customer Experience Scores
Buying a mattress online is a different experience than trying one out in a brick-and-mortar store and taking it home. In addition to testing a mattress’s performance, we also review a company’s policies from top to bottom to determine the kind of customer experience you can expect.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Helix customer experience, including its trial period, warranty, and accessibility.
Trial Period
When you order a bed-in-a-box online, you don’t get a chance to try it out before it reaches your doorstep. To give buyers peace of mind, most reputable mattress brands will offer a sleep trial that lasts between 30 days to a full year. This trial allows shoppers to try out their mattresses before making a final decision. Trial period information usually also details any costs and arrangements required for returning your mattress if you decide to do so.
Helix gives customers a 100-night sleep trial period to sleep on the mattress before deciding whether to keep it or ship it back for a full refund. Although this isn’t as long as manufacturers that allow you to sleep on a bed for 365 nights, we feel that just over three months is still a decent amount of time to make a decision, so we gave this bed a 3.5/5 for the trial period.
Warranty
Helix offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers material and workmanship defects. During the first 10 years from the original purchase date, Helix will repair and replace any defective mattress at no cost to the buyer. At year 11, this coverage becomes prorated. Overall, we were impressed by its substantial warranty and awarded it a 4.5/5.
Unboxing and Moving
When the Helix Midnight arrived at our sleep studio, the box was in good shape and easy to open. While you could probably unwrap it alone, I recommend enlisting some help to hasten the process. Two of our mattress testers unboxed the rolled-up mattress and cut it out of the plastic relatively quickly. Overall, they rated the unboxing and setup experience a 4.5 out of 5.

Readiness After Unboxing
After cutting the plastic around the mattress, the Helix Midnight expanded quickly. It took a few hours for the mattress to inflate to 100 percent of its size. Our testers gave it a 5/5 for how quickly it went from a rolled-up mattress burrito to a surface you can sleep on.

Off-gassing
As with many mattresses that arrive compressed and rolled into a box, the Helix Midnight had a slight chemical smell to it at first, but it dissipated in 24 hours. That said, our mattress tester had to place her nose right against the mattress to notice the smell. Based on our tester’s feedback, I gave the Helix Midnight a 5/5 for off-gassing, meaning it had little to no noticeable smell after unboxing.
Helix Midnight Mattress Construction
Before we performed a series of tests on the Helix Midnight, we assessed its construction. Our testers measured the height of the Midnight and cut a section from the cover on the side to get a closer look at its inner layers.
Mattress Height & Weight
The queen-sized Helix Midnight mattress is 11.5 inches tall and weighs approximately 100 pounds.
Materials
The Helix Midnight has 5 layers that include a breathable knit cover, contouring memory foam, and supportive steel coils.
Layers

Beneath the Helix Midnight’s breathable knit cover, you’ll find four more foam layers and supportive coils. The first layer beneath the cover contains gel memory foam that adds targeted pressure relief and creates a balanced, medium feel. Next, you’ll find a layer of Helix’s firmer responsive foam that provides ergonomic support and cushioning.
Just above the supportive pocketed coils and dense memory foam base, you’ll find the ErgoAlign Contour Layer. This transition layer features a segment of ultra-dense foam beneath your midsection while the bottom and top sections follow the natural contours of your body. Finally, the support layer of steel innerspring coils and dense foam base provide a sturdy foundation and added durability.
How to Try and Buy the Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is available online at www.helixsleep.com. Helix accepts all major credit cards and offers financing options. Once you have purchased your Helix Midnight mattress, it will be shipped to you within 5 to 7 business days for free via FedEx. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii shipping costs start at $250 per mattress. Canadian residents can receive their Helix Midnight via FedEx with shipping charges starting at $250 per mattress. Shipping charges are non-refundable.
Helix Midnight Prices & Sizes
Size | Dimensions | Price |
Twin | 38″ x 75″ | $936.30 |
Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ | $1061.30 |
Full | 54″ x 75″ | $1248.80 |
Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $1373.80 |
King | 76″ x 80″ | $1748.80 |
California King | 72″ x 84″ | $1748.80 |

Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.
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How the Helix Midnight Compares
How the Helix Midnight Compares
The Helix Midnight is a good, balanced option that excels in pressure relief and edge support. However, if you’re a hot sleeper or prefer something with better motion isolation and a slow, sinking feeling, you may want to check out these other options.
- Saatva Contour5 – Luxurious memory foam
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Better cooling for hot sleepers
- WinkBed Plus – More support for stomach sleepers
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Helix Midnight vs. Saatva Countour5
Unlike the Helix Midnight, the Saatva Contour5 is an all-foam model, meaning it doesn’t contain any springs. If you’re the kind of sleeper who prefers to slowly sink into their mattress, the Contour5 is one of the most luxurious models available.
Both beds are great choices for lightweight and average-weight back sleepers. However, heavyweight back sleepers will likely not get the same support they would on the Helix Midnight from the Contour5. The Contour5 outperforms the Helix Midnight in cooling and motion transfer. Saatva also offers a better customer experience in the form of a white glove delivery service that will come to your house, set up your new mattress, and remove your old mattress for free.
On the other hand, the Helix Midnight is still the winner if you want something highly responsive with robust edge support.
Want to learn more about the Contour5? Check out our full Saatva Contour5 mattress review.

Helix Midnight vs Helix Midnight Lux
The Helix Midnight Luxe has everything the Midnight has to offer, only better. It’s also a bit more expensive than the base Midnight model. The Helix Midnight is $1,374 for a queen-sized mattress, while the Helix Midnight Luxe starts at $2,374.
That said, you get what you pay for. The Helix Midnight Luxe excels across the board, earning a 4/5 or higher in every testing category. The only category in which the base Midnight beats out the Luxe is in pressure relief, but only by a little bit. I’d recommend the Helix Midnight Luxe to folks who want everything the Midnight has to offer with better cooling and a plush pillow top.
Learn more about the Midnight’s more luxurious sibling in our full Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review.

Helix Midnight vs WinkBed Plus
The Helix Midnight is a great choice for a wide range of sleepers. However, it falls short when it comes to sleepers with bigger bodies, particularly folks who sleep on their stomachs. Stomach sleepers need something that offers them more support around their hips so their spines can stay in healthy alignment as they sleep.
The WinkBed Plus is able to offer just that while staying crisp and cool. Our mattress testers awarded the WinkBed Plus a perfect 5/5 in the cooling category and a 4/5 or higher across every other category. If you’re a hot sleeper or someone who needs a more supportive mattress, the WinkBed is the better option by far. Conversely, the Helix Midnight has stronger edge support, so if you find yourself gravitating toward the perimeter of the bed, it might be the better choice for you.
Interested in the WinkBed Plus? Check out our full WinkBed Plus mattress review to see how it performed on all our tests.

FAQs
Does the Helix Midnight mattress need a box spring?
No, the Helix Midnight mattress does not require a box spring. It’s designed to be used with a solid foundation, platform bed, or slatted bed frame.
Which is a better mattress, the Helix Midnight or Nectar?
The choice between the Helix Midnight and Nectar mattresses depends on personal preferences. The Helix Midnight is ideal for sleepers who prefer a responsive hybrid mattress with a balance of support and pressure relief. Meanwhile, the Nectar is best suited for individuals who enjoy the contouring feel of memory foam.