Mattress Forum

Kait, I couldn't agree more! I do use my 1" of Venus foam periodically but I am not sure why, it usually turns out to only "work" for a short time then it craps out. Our apartment is already too small for us and we have no leftover storage space so we have foam laying around in bags under the sleeper sofa, behind it, etc. etc. Foam everywhere! It's crazy. We should throw it out but hate to throw out "perfectly good foam". Like you say it does serve as an extra mattress on the floor should a friend stay over and not like the couch futon.

By the way, exactly what did you use under your mattress to beef it up in the hip area? What material and about how many inches or parts of an inch? I may try this. My mattress right now feels pretty good except that I feel my hips are sinking in too much.

Kappy you are welcome, I know how it is to not get a good night's sleep. I went two years with only 4-5 hours per night due to shoulder pain. I was grouchy and irritable all the time and it was terrible. Thank goodness now I get at least 6-7 hours and with less pain. Sometimes I get 8-9 hours with little or no pain.

Anyway, your "specs" on your S&F just shows how little the SCo's tell us about their mattresses. Look at it - it has NO real info there, just marketing fluff. It does not say what type of foam or what ILD or even how thick the foam "comfort layers" are!

However, from my Sealy experience and others' I can pretty much guarantee that 3 comfort layers means you have about 2-3 inches of cheap polyurethane foam and THAT is what is hurting you.

I would do this if I were you, especially if money is tight:

Get out your sharp knife and cut around the edges over the rib, on 3 sides of the mattress. Take out at least the top 2 "comfort layers" of cheap soft pu foam. That alone will probably make your mattress feel better.

I would maybe try Kait's idea first, of putting something in below the mattress to beef up the area where your hips tend to be.

As to zoning I tried it for a couple years and it didn't work out well for me. However I do still believe in it, in principle.  Maybe I just didn't do it right.

If money is an issue (I know it is for me right now), I would first try Kait's method and if that doesn't work, cut it open and try losing a layer or two - or even 3 of the top layers of foam. You can always put them back and restore it to the way it was though I am certain you will not want to do so. Remove one at a time, even and see what feels best.

You could try buying a couple of 1" layers of, say 24ILD Natural Talalay latex and play with those, on just one side, or both sides of the mattress. (Two twin toppers = one E. King size.)

Good luck. I know it sucks to buy a new bed and have to cut it open and fix it, but by doing so you will have much more control over the comfort and end up with much better materials. As Budgy says, a really GOOD mattress these days costs around $4-5k (I'm quoting from memory, but I think that's what he said), so if you have to add a grand in toppers to make your mattress good, you are probably still ahead of that figure, no?

Also, the good news is, (I think) those springs you have look pretty good. Again, I could be mis-remembering but I seem to recall someone endorsing those springs. I remember looking at a web page about them and they looked very impressive. Maybe Budgy will weigh in on that and either confirm or deny the above quote re cost...

Good luck and do keep us posted on your progress in finding a good night's sleep.

I ended up making it too thick and it kind of bothered me during the night. Am trying it tonight with thirds, and very flat, right next to the springs. Hopefully that will fare better. I have never had success with "zoning" but maybe this will work?