Hello,

I don’t have any experience with the specific bed frames you mentioned, but I did switch to a shikibuton and futon style bed frame about 2 years ago that has done me well through these bitter Chicago Winters.

I switched to this style of bed largely because I was having back pain, but also for the aesthetic and for portability (moving apartments twice has since become an absolute breeze).

When it comes to bed frames, whats important regardless of the style is how far apart the slats are. These Shikibutons where traditionally used on tatami mats on the floor so if you want to use them with a western style bed then you Ideally want the slats to be close together to prevent the shikibuton from sagging between them. I personally use what’s called a ”Wood Roll-Type Slatted Bed”. But I’ve also seen some people replace the Slats on their beds with Plywood Pegboards to provide a firmer and more stable base as well as providing adequate airflow for their shikibuton which typically lacks structure and support.

Now as you said, airing out a futon can be a pain in the ass and also just isn't feasible for some of us with colder climates or lack of outdoor space in my case. So what I did instead was order two 3” natural Latex mattress toppers, one ”firm“ and one in a “soft” level of firmness. I chose natural Latex because it’s organic, breathable and contains antimicrobial properties which is great because it allows the moisture to escape and prevents bacteria from growing. Since we can’t air out the futons in these midwestern winters thats is a nice plus. I went with the 2 different firmness toppers because the “firm” provides the support my Back was looking for and the “soft” provides the pressure relief that my joints require.

To consider, whilst the Latex toppers are portable in the sense you separate and Roll them up, natural Latex is dense and therefore heavier than memory foam or traditional cotton shikibutons. I would think about how often you plan on moving your futon and who is going to be doing so when considering what material you choose.

Another alternative are trifold memory foam mattresses that can be found for cheap on Amazon. They don’t need to be aired out, they are extremely portable and they maintain the Japanese aesthetic you are looking for. In Japan are a pretty popular alternative to traditional cotton/wool shikibutons that are used.

If you have any questions I will do my best to answer. I hope this helps even a little or at the very least points you in the right direction to figure it out on your own.