First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Jan 16, 2010 9:00 AM
Joined: Jan 16, 2010
Points: 45
I've done a little research, but still very new to the "art" of buying a decent bed. Almost bought one of s-brand ones, but canceled it after doing some research.

The only hesitation I have about memory foam is that I am usually pretty sensitive to hot temperatures in a mattress, and also I am about 110 to 120 lbs, which I also read may give me some issues with high density foam.

Any recommendations from people about where I should even begin with my search? Brands and models of what I should purchase would be extra helpful.

Thanks
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #8 Jan 18, 2010 12:30 PM
Joined: Jan 16, 2010
Points: 45
randys wrote:
you need a foundation, box sprink will work or buy a foundation with it,

That's what I'm trying to figure out. What kind of foundation?

Would something like this be ok? http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11080079


Sorry, I'm just really new at this.
This message was modified Jan 18, 2010 by Slides
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #9 Jan 18, 2010 2:14 PM
Joined: Oct 24, 2009
Points: 4
I just bought a 3" piece of memory foam (4.1 lb density). After 2 months it's already starting to have soft spots. In colder weather there has also been a significant delay in it going back to form. In other words, if you have to roll over then you're screwed. Luckily it has a 90 day warranty.  My suggestion is to avoid memory foam.

I've done some research and decided to buy a 3" piece of talay latex from sleeplikeabear.com.
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #10 Jan 18, 2010 2:25 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
aspear wrote:
I just bought a 3" piece of memory foam (4.1 lb density). After 2 months it's already starting to have soft spots. In colder weather there has also been a significant delay in it going back to form. In other words, if you have to roll over then you're screwed. Luckily it has a 90 day warranty.  My suggestion is to avoid memory foam.

I've done some research and decided to buy a 3" piece of talay latex from sleeplikeabear.com.

Aspear:  What ILD of talalay latex did you get?  Let us know what you think of it please.

IMHO memory foam sucks.  I had a good memory foam bed (allegedly) Sealy Truform, it was miserable after the first few months.  I believe it broke down, softened too much.  Then I tried a cheap memory foam topper over a regular spring mattress, I sweated every night.  Now I am sleeping on latex, and over a polyester blanket and I don't sweat at all, not warm at all either.  I actually have to use blankets now.
This message was modified Jan 18, 2010 by Leo3
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #11 Jan 18, 2010 4:17 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
I believe you can put memory foam even Tempurpedic on the floor if you wish. OR just any non-sagging type foundation.
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #12 Jan 18, 2010 5:27 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
absolutely correct Jim. 

with regards to warranty you probably just don't want to put it on another brands base, but the floor or a solid or slatted platform frame is perfectly fine.  check with your own local Tempur dealer on this, because they usually do the inspections themselves, you definitely want their approval just incase they might want an excuse not to service any potential claims.
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #13 Jan 18, 2010 6:19 PM
Joined: Oct 24, 2009
Points: 4
Leo3 wrote:
Aspear:  What ILD of talalay latex did you get?  Let us know what you think of it please.

IMHO memory foam sucks.  I had a good memory foam bed (allegedly) Sealy Truform, it was miserable after the first few months.  I believe it broke down, softened too much.  Then I tried a cheap memory foam topper over a regular spring mattress, I sweated every night.  Now I am sleeping on latex, and over a polyester blanket and I don't sweat at all, not warm at all either.  I actually have to use blankets now.

19 ild. I have a super firm mattress-> the s&f estate ultra firm. It's pretty much concrete. I'm 6' 3" ~200 lbs. My wife is a curvy 125 lbs. The lady at sleeplikeabear suggested 19 or 24 ild. I went with the 19 to make the wife happy, since she prefers soft. I hope it's not too soft though... The topper is being delivered this week. I'll let you know how it feels.
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #14 Jan 19, 2010 4:40 PM
Joined: Jan 16, 2010
Points: 45
aspear wrote:
I just bought a 3" piece of memory foam (4.1 lb density). After 2 months it's already starting to have soft spots. In colder weather there has also been a significant delay in it going back to form. In other words, if you have to roll over then you're screwed. Luckily it has a 90 day warranty.  My suggestion is to avoid memory foam.

I've done some research and decided to buy a 3" piece of talay latex from sleeplikeabear.com.

This and others posts have me leaning against memory foam and thinking of going back to an S-brand innerpsring with possibly a latex topper of some sort.

What would be a good firm (but not ultra super firm as I'm only about 120 lbs) s brand innerspring to consider without paying too much?

Please help with some suggestions, as my back is killing me.
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #15 Jan 19, 2010 5:06 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
What is your budget and what size mattress?  The problem you will find is that any of the less expensive (and even the more expensive) innersprings is that they use junky foam.   So, it may not be the most comfortable and it will lose support over time (sometimes fairly quickly).   Of ones I have tried (but not owned), I liked the Stearns & Foster Estate luxury firm.  They are a bit expensive though, especially if you don't get a good sale.  The older models got bad reviews because they started to sag over time.  I am not sure if they have fixed that problem.

Sealy has interlinked coils which should provide a firmer surface, but may not be as comfortable for a side sleeper.   In my experience, the most support will be on the ones with the most coils.  They will cost more, and even the most expensive ones will have some junky foam in it.   One strategy is to get the firmest one and add an 1-3" topper (latex or memory foam) to get the right comfort.

I slept on a newer Sealy innerspring recently and even that get pretty warm.   I am coming to the conclusion that any type of foam at the top level will retain heat, and the more you sink into it the more you will feel it.   The old style innersprings did not use much foam (if any), so they sleep fairly cool but are not that comfortable.

Have you considered all latex?   Or is that too expensive? 

So, there is no easy solution.  Costco has innersprings and memory foam beds, that you can at least return if you don't like.  One poster really liked the 10" Sleep Science at Costco, and said it did not get too hot.  I tried 1 of the 14" (same maker) and I don't remember getting overly hot, but it was too firm for me (and too thick for toppers).

Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #16 Jan 19, 2010 5:27 PM
Joined: Jan 16, 2010
Points: 45
sandman wrote:
What is your budget and what size mattress?  The problem you will find is that any of the less expensive (and even the more expensive) innersprings is that they use junky foam.   So, it may not be the most comfortable and it will lose support over time (sometimes fairly quickly).   Of ones I have tried (but not owned), I liked the Stearns & Foster Estate luxury firm.  They are a bit expensive though, especially if you don't get a good sale.  The older models got bad reviews because they started to sag over time.  I am not sure if they have fixed that problem.

Sealy has interlinked coils which should provide a firmer surface, but may not be as comfortable for a side sleeper.   In my experience, the most support will be on the ones with the most coils.  They will cost more, and even the most expensive ones will have some junky foam in it.   One strategy is to get the firmest one and add an 1-3" topper (latex or memory foam) to get the right comfort.

I slept on a newer Sealy innerspring recently and even that get pretty warm.   I am coming to the conclusion that any type of foam at the top level will retain heat, and the more you sink into it the more you will feel it.   The old style innersprings did not use much foam (if any), so they sleep fairly cool but are not that comfortable.

Have you considered all latex?   Or is that too expensive? 

So, there is no easy solution.  Costco has innersprings and memory foam beds, that you can at least return if you don't like.  One poster really liked the 10" Sleep Science at Costco, and said it did not get too hot.  I tried 1 of the 14" (same maker) and I don't remember getting overly hot, but it was too firm for me (and too thick for toppers).


Thanks for the post. This is helpful. My primary concern with all latex is not cost (even though it is expensive), but my idea of what latex will feel like is for some reason not that good. I have been unable to so far find a place where I test a latex only bed. Plus, flobeds is seemingly too complicated for me. I work 5 days a week, 9 to 7, so it's hard for me to wait around to receive packages and figure out how to "assemble" a mattress or what not. Maybe I'm over thinking this...

So, right now I am thinking of a firm innerspring (any thoughts on brand and model that would be good but not too expensive?) with a latex topper of some sort. That would allow me to get the coil support I'm used to with an added layer of comfort from latex. And, this also seems to me would be the easiest solution.

So, any recommendations on an s-brand firm (but not ultra firm, I don't think I could handle that, even with a topper)
Re: First time purchasing a mattress (leaning towards memory foam)
Reply #17 Jan 19, 2010 5:41 PM
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Points: 542
If you have done your homework then you know from reading this form that many people have gone through the same process that you're going through.

I almost purchased a Stearns and Foster all latex mattress. But after doing my research I came to the conclusion that one of the online stores that offered exchanges and a full return of money if I didn't like the mattress, would be a far superior experience.

This of course necessitated that I made arrangements to be home to receive the mattress and go through the process of putting it together and sleep testing it. But when you're talking about $2500-$3000 for a mattress ( California King) then having to put myself out was worth it to me. The biggest single thing is what kind of firmness level is going to work best for you. Again, if you have done your research on this forum, you know that many people have a difficult time ascertaining what is going to actually be the best configuration for them. Some people come to this conclusion easily, quickly and simply. There are many of the rest of us, who do not.

Where ever you purchase your mattress you want to be darn sure that they have a good return policy, and best of all if they have an exchange policy. What ever you pay for a mattress, can become very expensive very quickly, if you don't like it and they won't take it back, or exchange it for another mattress.

Think about it.
This message was modified Jan 19, 2010 by eagle2