Mattress Forum

I use 2 layers of wool and low thread count cotton sheets and lighter blankets.  That seems to have helped me from feeling too hot.  Foam inherently will warm up (certain memory foams are worse), so you have to focus on the other variables as well.

I am so sick and tired of spending so much money on sleep surfaces that don't work.  Just over a year ago I spent $1300 on a Comfortaire mattress that totally sucked and I had run the gamut of trying everything to make that one work before I sold it for $350.  Hence the $700 innerspring mattress.  Not cheap by any means but cheaply made, too hard, and I can tell it's going to sag within a few years.  I paid around $200 for the latex topper (I think) and this doesn't include other things I've spent money on like PU eggcrates, regular mattress pads, etc.

I just read a bunch of reviews on the Chillipad and it does get rave reviews and the company who makes it (chilitechnology dot com) offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. However, the queen size single zone costs $500.  OUCH.  On top of the $700 I jsut paid for the mattress, $200 for the latex topper,  $277 for the wool topper......ugh.  I just do'nt have that kind of money to be throwing around, yet I am at my wit's end on not getting decent sleep. So I might bite the bullet and try the Chillipad. I have 3 months to try it. If it works it will be worth the money to finally be able to sleep. If not, I send it back.  Why not go into debt like the rest of the U.S. !

And maybe I won't need the wool topper anymore and maybe can sell it on craigslist or ebay and get at least some of my money back. the latex topper I really want to keep because I love the support and softness I just hate the heat retention.

Sorry for babbling on and on, as you can see this is a hot topic (pun intended) for me!  : )

Re: the noise of the chillipad motor. Yes apparently it makes the noise of a fan which is fine w/ me because I cannot sleep without my trusty box fan going no matter what temp. because I live in a noisy area and it drowns out the noise. So the sound of the pad motor isn't too much of a worry.

Sorry the snugfleece is not working.  I tried one (the washable one), and returned it because it had too much of a carpet feel.  So, I ended up going with a wool fillled topper (bought on walmart.com) and a wool filled mattress pad (Natura).  That plus cotton sheets, blankets seems to have kept me from overheating (at least it does not bother that much lately).

You may need to avoid all foams, but pretty hard to make it comfortable with no foam.  

sandman--yep, I looked at the bedfan.  Reviews are poor; apparently it's quite cheaply made. As well, the idea of a fan blowing on me under the covers...well, freezing cold feet and would do nothing for underneath the body where the heat is.  Nah.

Yes I agree I wish I could avoid foam altogether but I do need the softness especially as a side sleeper. My old Beautyrest didn't have foam but it was a nice old 2-sided mattress that comformed to my body (over time) so nicely, I never had pressure problems (until it started to get too old, then my back was killing me, but never my shoulder).  They don't make em like that now and anyway I've already bought a new mattress so I have to make it work somehow.

May have found a deal on a chilipad.  I'll definitely update on here if I end up getting one.

Add me to the list regarding the wonders of wool. I live in Florida with high humidity, and wool is absolutely wonderful. My bed has a thick layer of wool sewn into the cover, and is then wrapped in a St. Dormeir wool matress pad. I have 100% cotton percale sheets, and use a 100% wool Hudson's bay blanket. I've experienced house temps between 63F to 75F at night during the past week. I've not felt too warm nor too cold at all during this time. I almost can't believe how well wool works. It's almost like magic. If the temps get hotter than 76F, I'd certainly lose the blanket, but at 74F it keeps me feeling very comfy.