The pillow had a smell at first but soon faded away after several days. It is heavy but soft. The first few nights were great sleeping on it. My neck and shoulders didn't hurt when I woke up in the morning. I have had the pillows for about three weeks. My neck and shoulders are no longer stiff in the mornings but my lower back and sides are. Not sure if it's the pillow or the way I sleep. I will give them a few weeks more and rotate my mattress to see if that's what it is. Otherwise I like the pillows.