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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI'm buying a new bed. Any suggestions or recommendations?
I've tried Tempurpedic but don't like the idea of the heat. I looked at a Serta with gel that looks promising. Anyone know anything about latex mattress toppers--if they are any good?
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)It didn't slow us down, but the frame was shot.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,099 posts)I really like it. It's one that was bought separate from the mattress. It gives you the best of both worlds. And, you can replace it if it loses its cushion. My advice is to get one as thick as you can afford. Overstock.com usually has some pretty good deals. You can probably get a good one at TJ Maxx, Ross, or Tuesday Morning, too.
My mattress is a Sealy, but I recall that the Sertas were equally nice.
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)I think the next one I get will be the sleep number ....
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)The memory foam mattress pads are a godsend regardless of your mattress. I bought two queen-size pads (each 4" in depth) at Target (total $50.00). One atop the other and it was as though I was sleeping on a little bit of heaven here on earth. Three years later and they hold up better than the mattress itself.
bluedigger
(17,088 posts)Do everything you would at home.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)haele
(12,688 posts)And since I always look up these things before I purchase, I learned a lot.
First, Memory foam mattresses -
A 100% memory foam mattress like Temperpedic, SleepNova (or whatever Costco calls their memory foam mattresses now) or even the I-Comfort will always go a bit saggy and soft after a bit of use due to temperature reaction, so if you don't have a good box-spring that can support it, I wouldn't suggest getting a "solid" memory foam mattress. Buy the firmest one you can find, to keep it from going too soft and you end up sinking down to the support. At 210 and 290 lbs with all sorts of aches, pains, and arthritis, we decided to go with the I-comfort Genius (the most firm mattress) with the supporting box-spring, and it's held it's firmness better than my FIL's Temperpedic did three years ago. Within a couple weeks, the bed will start to soften and should be at it's normal support level within a month and a half. What you really have to watch out for is the edge support, which is another reason we bought the I-Comfort - you don't want to "scoop" off the bed when you roll over near the edge, and there's no sinking to the box-spring if you decide to sit on the side of the bed. Look for a minimum of 6 lb density foam in a mattress to be able to return to shape after supporting a human body. And remember, you cannot just "live" on a memory foam mattress, using it as a couch or work-area like you might do to a regular bed; the memory foam mattress should just be for sleeping if you want to be able to sleep on it without hitting the box-spring after five years.
And you should get a box spring; bed "platforms" hurt when your expensive memory foam bed starts to sag. You need something that will be firm yet have a bit of give if you got a mattress that was too soft to begin with.
The I-comfort Gel does "sleep" significantly cooler than other latex foam mattresses, though it will still seem a bit warm in the morning when you wake up. We had this issue with the 3" memory foam topper on our old bed, so I'm pretty sure it's one of those "to be expected" situations when you're dealing with a product that conforms to your body shape; there's little room for the air to pass between skin and bed surface.
There's another mattress - Beautyrest - out there that is advertising to be a mix of coils and very thick memory foam; I haven't had a chance to test that one out, but it looks interesting.
You should always test a similar bed before purchasing, and don't just plop down saying "this feels nice", but actually take a book and lay down on it in a sleeping position for at least ten to fifteen minutes so you have a feel for how it will start to react to your weight and body heat. Bring your partner if you can, so you can see how it will react to the both of you. And ignore the hard-sell; they'll want you in and out of there with a purchase, but with good beds starting at around $1K for a simple queen, it's a serious investment. Test out several, and do it over several days, if you can. You don't want to buy it and then decide you might not have wanted it.
And now for the foam mattress toppers -
If you decide to get a good but cheaper spring bed and add a memory foam mattress topper, first make sure you get a good mattress to begin with, and then a good topper. After the old pillow-top Beautyrest bed hit 15 years about seven years ago, we got a very good 3" memory foam at 4.5 lb density (plus a "cool fabric" 1" quilted casing) at Costco for a reasonable price - but that was seven years ago and I don't have a good handle on what the quality is now. Many toppers have the same "blue" cooling gel as the new mattresses do, and those shouldn't require much in the way of added casing fabric.
I would suggest that if you have joint or bone pain issues, buy at least 2 1/2" of high density latex (I figured one inch for every 15 inches of waist dimension to deal with the difference between waist, hip, and shoulder) and at least another inch of quilting. When we got the new topping, it was like getting a new bed - very, very comfortable, and it wasn't until the old mattress started losing springs and a few of the coils broke that we decided to finally replace the bed.
Make sure you can feel or test the topper, as there is cheap packing latex foam (1 to 2 lb density) out there boxed up as bed-quality memory foam (which should be between 3 and 5 lb density) - check the side of the packaging! And don't get it from Wal-Mart, their manufacturing line may carry the same brand label as you would get at Costco or at another bedding store, but it's a totally different QA process, and was built to cheaper standards.
Good luck.
Haele
(edited to change a few words)
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)We looked at the I-Comfort Genius today and also discussed buying a good mattress and then a memory foam topper. That seems like the most reasonable thing to do. Thank you for your amazingly helpful suggestions!
noamnety
(20,234 posts)don't rule out a waterbed. Mine saved me from a life of misery. All the dustmites that move into mattresses are miserable if you're allergic to them and there's no way to really get rid of them fully. With a waterbed, when you wash the bedding, you can wipe down the mattress and not have to worry about it. My back's been better as well since there aren't any pressure points. And when it's hot, it's nice to be able to dial down the temp to help keep cool.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I bought a Full Size 12" model from Amazon. This one. Got free delivery with Amazon Prime.
Been pleased with it, BUT it is EXTREMELY firm. If I had to do it again, I'd buy a 10".
Works with your old box springs.
They come in a box 4' x 2' x 2'. Vacuum packed in a large bag. How to unpack, see video. Takes a few hours to fully expand.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Full size weighs about 60 pounds in the box.
How long have you had it?
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)It took about a month to get used to sleeping on it, it's so firm. Take my advice and buy a 10" or thinner one. The 12" is really too hard, and I like a firm mattress.
Some of points:
(1) The mattress is one sided, can't be turned over. Rotated, but not turned over. Many pillow top mattresses are like this, so it's not a big deal to me.
(2) It has a hand washable (with a washcloth) zippered terry cover on it, BUT if you remove the cover it voids the 20 years warranty. Evidently it keeps the different layers together. The mattress I bought is a 2 layer Sure Temp.
(3) Some people complain of a smell. There was a slight odor for about an hour, then it dissipated.
(4) Some complain it's too hot. I never found this to be the case.
(5) Make sure you have deep fitted sheets.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)I'm wondering if a firm would be too painful.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)They do have a 3 layer gel top mattress, but apparently Amazon doesn't sell those. Serta and Silver Rest brands. but not Sleep Innovations. Google "3 layer gel mattress".
Lots of places carry Sleep Innovation.
For the price you really can't go wrong, IMO. $430 for King Mattress, that's made in the USA?
I paid $340 for my full, shipped.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Let us know what you buy.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)haele
(12,688 posts)He only had a bit of problem with the I-Comfort the first night (he said it was more like he needed to get used to it, and now thinks he misses the initial firmness!), and he never had any problems with the mattress topper, which was also a firm. If the foam is dense enough - at least 4 or 5 lbs, it spreads the body weight out across the surface so there are no pressure points. He swears by memory foam mattress toppers on normal beds; it has been the only thing that saved his sleep and sanity for the past 7 years until the new bed.
The only other regular bed he ever felt comfortable in was at the Holiday Inn Express in Las Cruces, NM. And that was after a hellish drive on the way to Albuquerque along I-10 through the Xmas snowstorms last winter, after slow traffic and multiple highway closures the entire day. He could barely make it out of the Mazda to get to the room at 8pm that night when we finally found one of the few rooms that was still available in town, and that bed was amazingly comfortable - it almost let us feel as weightless as we do on the new mattress.
Make sure you test the bed out first, no matter what you choose. If it's too soft and clingy, it won't support enough weight to take the pressure off your fibro points. A new, comfortable bed that takes the weight off the pressure points will allow you to sleep so much easier and feel better when you are going about your day.
Haele
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)DFW
(54,476 posts)But I want one of the beds they have in the Brussels Marriott. Never slept better!
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)mention the bed.
DFW
(54,476 posts)I stay there for one reason only: it's perfectly located for my needs in Brussels. But MAN do I sleep well, when I do. Not that I'm a great fan of the Marriott family--I know who they are and where they come from, both geographically and politically, but security and convenience sometimes have to take precedence (and besides, their Brussels staff knows me, and goes out of their way to help me out of jams, of which I find myself in many!).
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)DFW
(54,476 posts)Their staff had no earthly idea what brand it was, and I couldn't find a label on the mattress itself. FRUSTRATION!!
I'd trade two months' salary to sleep on one of those things at home.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)But you have to call their 800 number to get the prices. I hate calling those numbers.
DFW
(54,476 posts)Besides, I still don't know if the ones they use here in Europe are made by the same company.
However if they are, I wouldn't mind sleeping on them for the rest of my life.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Why are they so secretive about the good stuff?
DFW
(54,476 posts)The ones who need to know (i.e. order new ones when a rock band is on town and destroys ten of them), do know, and the rest, who have nothing to do with logistics, never find out because no one ever told them.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)It's a conspiracy. Keep us tired and stupid.
ohiosmith
(24,262 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)MiddleFingerMom
(25,163 posts).
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TAKE THE DUCK DOWN!!!
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graywarrior
(59,440 posts)ohiosmith
(24,262 posts)hedgehog
(36,286 posts)The base mattress is very firm with a couple inches of polyfill on top.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)ifyouknowwhatimeanandithinkyoudo
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Baitball Blogger
(46,775 posts)I think it's just the very young.
madinmaryland
(64,933 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)rug
(82,333 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)WTF?
Response to rug (Reply #53)
Name removed Message auto-removed
zbdent
(35,392 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)graywarrior
(59,440 posts)I'm so selfish
westerebus
(2,976 posts)I've had mind for four years, has a down topper and I sleep just fine. No issues with being to hot or pressure points.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)westerebus
(2,976 posts)I have no complaints and nothing but praise for their product. You will save some money too. Good hunting.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Thanks!
Generic Brad
(14,276 posts)I sleep sitting up on a love seat.
Seriously.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Generic Brad
(14,276 posts)It's so comfy and I sleep extremely well. There's no way I can toss and turn because I'm wedged into a small space.
WillParkinson
(16,862 posts)You and I get together. Have a couple glasses of wine. Then we proceed to try out the mattresses. <wink, nudge>
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)when I drink, Hells Angels magically appear.
WillParkinson
(16,862 posts)I was counting on that.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)zanana1
(6,136 posts)zanana1
(6,136 posts)We were on vacation there and like many couples on vacation, we were feeling amorous. Well, the bed fell with a resounding thud. The next thing we heard was my brother laughing his ass off.
It's a wild cat that roams China and Mongolia. There are very few of them.
zanana1
(6,136 posts)It's also good to know that there are very few of them. Yikes!
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)Ptah
(33,051 posts).
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kwassa
(23,340 posts)I had one just like this! It leaves much more space in your home when folded away.
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)I don't think the manager would allow that. My next door neighbor just let me try her memory foam with gel adjustable bed. Awesome!
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)In our younger years, it's great for kama sutra type things, if you know what I mean and I think you do.
Later on in our glorious journeys, it helps when there are the occasional injures.
Like three broken ribs from a ladder fall on June 5th, if you know what I mean and I think you do!
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Top of the line, with vibrate function, hi and low speed!
Anyway, it turned out to be one of the most comfortable mattresses I'd ever had so I kept it as my main kick.
With the broken ribs I'd still be in a recliner but for the ability to sleep with back tilted up and legs elevated.
I like it.
If I were buying from scratch I'd check out a tempurpedica and a sleep number bed.
I've slept on sleep number beds at hotels, but not for more than two days in a row.
I think I might want the sleep number over the tempurpedic.
Let us know what you do!
graywarrior
(59,440 posts)I'll let you know what I think of it.
Just buy a more comfortable mattress for it. There are places that sell used hospital equipment, including hospital beds. When my mother was sick, I got one for $90. She loved it.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Response to graywarrior (Original post)
bupkus This message was self-deleted by its author.