As I said, there is no major retailer anywhere near me, much less a TP factory store. I might have to take the 2 hr ride (each way) to a major city and find a TP factory store or reputable chain type store. I will be calling Tempurpedic directly tomorrow and getting straight facts about their return policy. There is no way I am laying out $2500-3000 just to "try" a bed for <90 days and then when it doesn't work out, and we have to return it, we lose 10% + tax. I can't afford to just throw away $400 to try out a bed.

As for the iComfort, you do realize it is made by Sleep Innovations, the same company that makes the Novaform, right? And BTW, if you can find an iComfort Revolution or whatever they call it for $1200 in a King size, please let me know, as I will buy it just to try it out. A King size is WELL into the $2K range without an adjustable base.

DIY foam is not going to happen. Why would I take the chance on an unknown feel if we are having trouble with a known memory feel? That makes zero sense.

Sooooooo, I decided to check out Tempurpedics "warranty" and guess what? Just as suspected.

Here is why, copied right from their website. Highlights I found in bold.

90 Day Tryout

Here’s how it works:

• Buy a Tempur-Pedic® mattress from us, on our website or by phone.
• We'll deliver your mattress and set it up in your home.
• Sleep on our new mattress for 30 nights to get used to the amazing comfort and support it offers.
• If you're not happy in the first 90 days after your purchase, call us. Our Customer Service staff will work with you to answer your questions and resolve your concerns.
• If we can't find a way to make you happy, we'll take the mattress back and reimburse your purchase price, less the initial shipping costs.

This tells me that you have to buy directly from them and if you don't like it, call them and their staff will try and convince you to keep the mattress. If you refuse, they will take it back as long as you pay them the "shipping and handling" fees. You lose the tax, no matter what.

So, in further reading, there is this..........

90 Night Tryout details

• Our 90 Night Tryout is exclusive to Tempur-Pedic, and covers mattresses purchased direct from us, on our website or by phone. Tempur-Pedic mattresses purchased from retail stores are not covered by the Tempur-Pedic 90 Night Tryout.
• The 90 Night Tryout covers the mattress plus foundation. Ergo adjustable bases, bed frames, pillows, cushions, linens and accessories do not qualify.
• Return shipping fees may apply if you took advantage of a free shipping offer. Shipping fees are based on mattress weight, and generally range from $200 to $325.

Pretty cut and dry. If you buy from ANY retail store, there is NO 90 day trial, period. No matter how much BS a store tells you. If a store "offers" it they are full of sh!t and you are at their mercy to honor what they tell you.

If you buy it from TP directly, you can return it for a cost "generally" in the $200-$325 range. King size of course is more, probably much more. Oh, and if you purchased an adjustable foundation, or pillows, etc, you are stuck with them, period. NO returns.
 

I had a feeling it was all hype and obviously, their 90 day trial is just that. Unless of course you want to pay full retail (without all the extra stuff a store would throw in) AND you want to throw away upwards of $400 if you don't like it before the trial period ends. And be stuck with an adjustable base (if you bought one) that is now useless without a foam bed.

I know that, I'm just saying I had a real good sampling of the touted Sleep Innovation gel memory foam in the form of a topper.  I'm assuming the latex was doing its job acting as  a core foam.

I would think in your 12" mattress, the gel memory foam is at the surface and is about 2" or so thick.

But, yeah, there not identical.  Costco does not make a twin XL, so I never considered them.
 

Here's a description of the Costco deluxe 12" Novaform mattress -

'The top layer is our 2.5" premium memory foam, for a balanced combination of cradling comfort and gentle support – with the revolutionary addition of NutraFresh™ treatment, for lasting freshness and no "new foam smell."  The 2.5" middle layer is made of deeply sculpted premium foam, for dramatically improved air circulation and firm support. And the 7"  bottom layer is made of premium base foam which adds stability and therapeutic support.'

Ok, so there's only 2.5" of memory foam, total in the mattress.  That's not much.  And it's Sleep Innovations memory foam which is NOT Tempurpedic memory foam.

Then there's a 2.5" layer of regular foam that provides 'firm support'.  I think that's the problem.  Just a bit of memory foam, then a firm support layer just underneath.  Sounds like an iComfort genius which always felt too firm to me in the store.   Don't think I'd like this Novaform mattress either.

I have no experience with that mattress (or with memory foam), but before buying a different mattress, would you want to try adding either a soft topper -- soft latex, soft memory foam, featherbed, or polyfill (like the Cuddlebed) -- or an electric heated mattress pad? (Or both?) 

Costco offers a variety of toppers, and I see on their Web site that they have a heated mattress pad on sale now.

Some sort of wool topper or pad might also help you retain heat.

Robert,

iComforts are assembled by Serta.  I had a Revolution for 4 weeks and yes the tag says Serta, Moreno Valley, CA.   However, I'm darn sure the gel memory foam is sourced form Sleep Innovations.

Hear me out - like said, I had a brand new iComfort Revolution for 4 weeks.  I don't care how one slices it, that mattress, IMO, qualifies as an ultra plush.  I slept on it for 4 weeks, had other family members try it .... it causes a body to sink a lot into it.  Sounds good, but this led to neck pains, and scraping sound.  My neck does not do that!   And now it is fine again.

People don't like to hear that Revolution is so plush.  I found some bad things about the iComfort.  I've been saying this over and over.  First, the box spring was very cheesy.  the surface rods permanently bent a good 1/4" and deformed guaranteeing some sagging in the middle.

Also, the ad board stated, in Sears - 2.75" gel foam and 2" Koolcomfort memory foam, for 4.75" total.

They couldn't even get that right.  I measured carefully to find 5.75" memory foam total ... tooo much IMO.   The core is 6", all iComforts are, the mattress 11.75" high, so 5.75" memory foam total.  They couldn't even put in what they say in the mattress.  To me that reeks of low quality.

Sounds harsh, but that was my experience.  And when I had to sell it private.  it wasn't worth squat at 4 weeks old pawned off a $1500 twin XL for $175.

i saw used Tempurpedic Queen asking $1000.

 

The bed does NOT sleep hot or cold. That is not a problem. The issue is that the bed itself changes with the temp.

I thought about a topper, but that is defeating the purpose of the mattress in the first place. I do have a topper from our previous bed that I may try just for kicks, but in no way are we pleased with the Novaform on its own.

To be sure, shipping is just a bitch with large mattresses.  The layered latex ones are cost effective to ship because they roll up and can go UPS.  But when you have to use freight, things get really expensive. 

I don't recommend an adjustable base.  I had one for 4 weeks, and it seems more for 'kicking back' in bed (watching TV, reading paper).  When I sleep, I want a flat bed.   Also, if you adjust the bed up during the night, you're stuck laying on your back.  Then have to adjust flat to turn at all.  So, relax and don't worry about having an adjustable. 

I just returned a $1500 Tempurpedic adjustable base to our chain Sleep Train to get the fixed foundation, and I got the tax back as well.

---------------------------------------------

At least the Sleep Science 10" has 3" memory foam over core foam.  The Ara has apparently 7" memory foam over a 6" core??? Why so much memory foam.   

The only other bed I can think of that I would have like to try was a Simmons Beautyrest model from Sears named 'St Bees evenloft' comes in plush or firm. 

I liked it because it has a combo of Simmons NxG memory foam and regular foam in top layers and individual coils beneath.  It had a smooth surface with no quilted / button tucks. 
 

You stated the bed is firm all the time and goes to firmer when cold.  Does the bed feel good in the best of temperature?  I doubt I'd like it given that 'firm foam' underneath the memory foam.

First off, any mattress by Sleep Innovations and Novaform is found NO where in any major chain retail bed store around here.  Tells me something.  If they can't get the bed into a major store, it likely kinda sucks.

Manicinl's keeps saying they're going to start carrying iComforts.  Good luck with that.  Tempurpedic is going to kick iComfort's butt.

I think the Novaform is so firm because it is only 2.5" memory foam over 2.5" firm regular support foam just underneath.  Sounds like that support foam is screwing up the feel of the mattress.

I think Sleep Innovations / iComfort (Serta) / Novaform are quite familiar with each other. 

Ever tried an iComfort genius?    it's kind of a brick to me.  It's 2.75" gel memory foam over a 2" firm support foam over 6" core.  sounds just about like your mattress.  I've tried it in store, its too firm, I don't like it.

Off top of my head, I can't think of one TP model that has a 'firm support' foam sandwiched between a core and memory foam top. 

I need to sign off after this post, but I'll leave you with this -

I don't think Tempurpedic is just a bunch of hype and they are out to rip customers off.

I slept on a TP Symphony pillow for 4 years, and it was the best pillow I've ever had.  duly noted.  I was a little skeptical over TP mattress reviews. 

After trying a brand new S&F, iComfort, then SleepEZ latex and still not satisfied, I took another step and bought a Tempurpedic comfort pillow. ... better than Symphony pillow and the best pillow I've ever had.

I bought an entry level 8" tall Cloud TP mattress.  Best mattress I've ever had.  Ever. Exchanged adjustable base for fixed TP foundation.  Wow, what a solid, well built foundation, best I've ever seen.  Will I still love it in 8 years?  I don't know, but it's looking good so far!

BCM

Union City, CA