Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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Can anyone explain this stuff from Stearns and Foster's web site? ( http://www.stearnsandfoster.com/Estate_Product.aspx ) They state: "Divinely Indulgent Sleep Surface. Working in tandem with our IntelliCoil design, our new proprietary cushioning materials (called Variable Response Technology®) give you relief where you feel the most pressure while you sleep: on your shoulders, hips and knees. No more tingly hands. No more painful backaches in the morning." Sounds great, but I could not find any specs as to what their proprietary cushioning materials are. Is it PU foam? Is it at least HR or M-grade? or is just cheap PU? Or is there no pu, only latex? (I doubt that) Does proprietary mean they won't tell us, or does it mean only that they have a patent or something on it? Also, they apparently make their own springs and their springs look interesting to say the least... but what gauge are they? . Are they individual pocket coils or regular type - more like Bonnell? Hard to tell from their description. I wonder how many coils per Queen... Anyone who knows, I'd be curious of the above questions, particularly whether or not they use pu foam in them, and how much pu foam would be found in their firmer mattresses? This message was modified Sep 6, 2009 by jimsocal
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Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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Alexander wrote: For a description of the "Intellicoil" and answers regarding it, see my newest post.  The Variable Response Technology means that they have a single layer of HD PU foam that has variable ILDs across the surface. It's designed to be more supportive in your lower back and softer near your shoulders and knees. Stearns isn't the first to do this. Other manufacturers have been putting in "zoned" beds for some time. The difference is that Stearns does it with a single piece of foam instead of multiple pieces glued together. The effect is a more seamless (heh) transition between zones. Yes, I saw your other post just after I posted this, unfortunately or I'd have put it there. Thanks for answering. That sounds like a decent design for a mattress and I am at least a little impressed by their using HD foam in zones. So for those looking for a ready made mattress they don't have to do surgery on any time soon, maybe S&F is a viable alternative. I can't say for sure because I've never used one, but if I were looking to spend that much $, I might consider this brand. The idea of the Intellicoil springs at least sounds like it might be a good design. Nevertheless, I like the idea of buying good springs and then just replacing the foam inside the mattress with foam of my own choosing, and being able to adjust it. But I recognize that many people - probably most people - balk at the idea of becoming a mattress surgeon. But it's a lot cheaper and - like I say - more easily customizable to fit one's own needs. Basically I created my own zoning with HR foam (similar to the "Variable Response Technology" but with a seam) which is probably better quality than the HD foam S&F puts in, and then put latex and high quality memory foam on top, for a total of around $280/Twin, which would mean about $560 for an E. King. On a personal note, Alexander, do you sleep on an S&F? And if so, which one and how long have you slept on it, and would you buy it again? If not, what mattress DO you like best? |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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I currently sleep on a Simmons Black pillowtop called a Rosalyn. The Blacks have individually pocketed triple braided coils (each coil is actually three smalled braided coils) with a net gauge of 11.75. The pillowtop is composed of 3" of Talalay Latex covered in cashmere and alpaca loft for cool summer sleeping. It's surrounded by a high density 3" foam encasing. It is insanely heavy. If you broke into my house I would let you take my wife before I'd let you take my bed. |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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Alexander wrote: I currently sleep on a Simmons Black pillowtop called a Rosalyn. The Blacks have individually pocketed triple braided coils (each coil is actually three smalled braided coils) with a net gauge of 11.75. The pillowtop is composed of 3" of Talalay Latex covered in cashmere and alpaca loft for cool summer sleeping. It's surrounded by a high density 3" foam encasing. It is insanely heavy. If you broke into my house I would let you take my wife before I'd let you take my bed. Alex: Saying that you would allow a thief, after breaking into your house, to steal your wife rather than your mattress is a pretty graphic statement. But I'll take you at your word. I thought after all of the detailed information about Sealy and Stearns and Foster mattresses that you must work for them. I am surprised to learn that you're actually sleeping on a competitors mattress. What kind of work do you actually do.You seem to be quite knowledgeable about mattresses, let me ask you your opinion about foundations for latex mattresses. I have actually started a new thread on this subject with more explanation than I will give here. What is your opinion about the necessity for a ventilated foundation for a latex mattress. I ask this because I have a good foundation but it does not have ventilation as it is for a water bed. I have gotten conflicting opinions on the necessity for a ventilated foundation for a latex mattress. I would like to use my current foundation and save the money, but not if it could harm my new latex mattress that I just ordered. |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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eagle2 wrote: Alex: Saying that you would allow a thief, after breaking into your house, to steal your wife rather than your mattress is a pretty graphic statement. But I'll take you at your word. I thought after all of the detailed information about Sealy and Stearns and Foster mattresses that you must work for them. I am surprised to learn that you're actually sleeping on a competitors mattress. What kind of work do you actually do.You seem to be quite knowledgeable about mattresses, let me ask you your opinion about foundations for latex mattresses. I have actually started a new thread on this subject with more explanation than I will give here. What is your opinion about the necessity for a ventilated foundation for a latex mattress. I ask this because I have a good foundation but it does not have ventilation as it is for a water bed. I have gotten conflicting opinions on the necessity for a ventilated foundation for a latex mattress. I would like to use my current foundation and save the money, but not if it could harm my new latex mattress that I just ordered. eagle2, you didn't ask me, but I'd like to give you my feedback anyway if you don't mind. I think it depends a lot on where you live. If you live in a very humid climate and don't have air conditioning on a lot, then you probably need slats so air can get in. But if you live in a drier climate (California or Nevada for example) then it's probably not necessary unless you live right on the beach where a lot of fog rolls in at times. That's just my opinion based on things I've read and heard. Maybe Alexander knows more... Alexander, I used to HATE Simmons because I had one of their cheap, bad ones with the old style glued coils. However after hearing your description I must say that sounds like it could work! Do you know what ILD and type of latex the topper is on your Simmons? |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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Jim: Thanks for your response regarding the foundation for a latex bed. Your ideas make sense to me, however I am going to look forward to seeing the bottom of my waterbed once I get it removed. If there is not problems with mildew then I will feel pretty safe since a waterbed should be more of a problem than a latex bed. Interesting question. One thing about these slat foundations….the cost! Some as high as $800.00. I have found one that is fairly popular for $250.00 the VersiFlex, or some such name. |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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Someone on the list bought one of these beds and asked me what I thought...I did some research and was told that the PU foam inside had different ilds because of the holes drilled in it(like latex holes...)...the more holes, the softer. The springs sound intriguing to me. Anyway, he bought one of these mattresses and did not like it at all. Just a FYI. I've mentioned before that so many things in life are simply gimmicks...and I wonder how many of these crazy springs and special foams are such. Kait |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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You're right, the S&F marketing terms sound good -- but performance didn't live up to the hype on the top of the line mattress we bought we bought 3 years ago. The plush level cushioning formed a noticeable hump in the middle within 1.5 years and now the mattress is unusable to us. Also the current issue of Consumer Reports lists S&F as the next to worst brand in their customer satisfaction survey so I don't think we're the only ones with this experience. Sad since they used to be considered the gold standard and still charge that way. |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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twalkman wrote: You're right, the S&F marketing terms sound good -- but performance didn't live up to the hype on the top of the line mattress we bought we bought 3 years ago. The plush level cushioning formed a noticeable hump in the middle within 1.5 years and now the mattress is unusable to us. Also the current issue of Consumer Reports lists S&F as the next to worst brand in their customer satisfaction survey so I don't think we're the only ones with this experience. Sad since they used to be considered the gold standard and still charge that way.
-Alex |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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So, Alex, do you have any ideas about why their older style mattresses failed for so many of us? Kait |
Re: Curious about Stearns and Foster mattresses
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I do not. I noticed an increase in the warranty exchange rate for mattresses purchased during that time as well. It was enough for Stearns to do a redesign. If I had to make a professional guess I'd say it had to do with the coil on coil design. Poor support for the top coils. -Alex |