Mattress Forum

I am so happy to find this forum. I'm new to mattress shopping and visited 3 stores recently (two sleepys). Learned I like individual coils, so the bed doesn't sink when someone sleeps next to me. I have a herniated disc, sciatica for long and recently neck troubles - yikes! so I like a firm bed. But, I do like something cushiony too. :) I'm 5' 3'', less than 120lbs, young. And my friend, he's twice my weight and tall. OK... I started with kingcoil in the $400s, and after many mattresses they showed me stearns and fosters with cushion top the firm side - which I liked best, and then kingsdown 400 red which I liked even better. I do have a budget but also want to get the perfect bed since it is an important purchase :)

At the next store, they converted my thinking that I was picking too much support for someone of my size and comfort is key too. They made me try beds and asked if the mattress fills up the space in my back and behind my knees when I lie flat. And as a woman, lying on my side, see which beds aligns my shoulder and hips so you can draw a straight line. Well... now the kingsdown 400 blue seemed better than red, and stearns and foster with cushion top seemed better in the softer version and finally I liked Dr. Breus signature. So I'm totally uncertain now if it is worth spending the money, especially reading here and on other sites, bits and pieces reviews, that the fabric isn't all natural but 50% polyurethene, and that the mattress has a strong scent for a couple weeks, and gets soggy and the water proof cover feels too hot (they recommended it btw!).

I will be totally grateful if the mattress experts on this site, or anyone who has had a positive experience with their bed, will take a moment to make suggestions or guide me in the right direction. Any tips on stores - nationwide or in the NYC area will be helpful.

Thank you, happy new year and happy sleeping to everyone!! :)