Mattress advice

[huggzy]

I haven't shopped for a bed/mattress for a while so the latest technology is all pretty new to me. I went out to the retailers to check things out, and then armed with "knowledge" I came home to research some choices on the internet.

Is it just me or is it next to impossible to find RELIABLE information on mattresses out there? It seemed to me that I could find hardly any info out there, and when I did the reviews were extreme either one way or the other...so much that I didn't feel it could be reliable. I was really interested in a Stearnes and Foster (high end Sealy...apparently) because it was so comfortable to lay in and the sales guy had a lot of things to say about it that sounded good to me, but all I read online were horror stories. Sealy as a rule tends to be well thought of (or so I think) so it seemed really odd that their highest end product would review so poorly.

So I was wondering what our fellow perberts had to say about their mattress experiences as I'm looking to by a high quality mattress - but don't want to spend $3 or $4k for a mattress that is a hunk of shite! What do you guys like?

 

[87112]

I have the next to lowest level Tempur Pedic and really like it. You never have to turn the bed over either for wear purposes. Its got a 20 year warranty if I remember right.

 

[bcneil]

Tempur pedic sucks in summer, unless you have AC or dont get too hot.

 

[spencer68]

Very expensive but Duxiana makes some of the best.

 

[threepeat]

Just spending $100 on a good mattress pad can do wonders for your mattress. Try that first

 

[legman]

I have the Stearns & Foster presidential. I have no complaints about it. I found out when selecting mattress, find out what your preference is. Ie, hard or soft mattress, them select a pillowtop or non pillowtop. That's for extra comfort. If you like a super hard mattress then go look for a Sea Horse. Stiffest mat. On the market.
I also suggest changing the box spring as well since that's the foundation for your mattress. Good luck!

 

[Oldfart]

There's a mattress shop on Hastings just west of Victoria - south side - that has the lowest prices on excellent quality mattresses. Go there and you'll get a lot more bed for your buck.

 

[Stadley]

Tempur-pedic all of the way.

You get what you pay for with mattresses.

 

[rexxx]

After I hurt my back I would have paid anything to get relief. I spent $4000 on a double pillowtop silk covered Sealy on sale, that I could barely flip. Seriously, it was a queen and must have weighed 100 lbs. AFTER my back was fine, it was still a pain in the caboose. I gave it to my sister ... let her flip it lol

Go for one you don't have to do that. Tempur Pedic interests me a lot.

Why would you wanna flip a pillowtop mattress?

 

[westwoody]

Like the guy from the US posted above, I went to a mattress maker.
They made one exactly the way I wanted and it was dirt cheap, I think about $600.
It's lasted through over ten years of heavy use.

 

[covalone]

Latex Foam Mattress. The Latex doesn't retain heat. Any firmness/density available. John's Bedroom Barn, Nanaimo.

 

[tadolder]

i sold mattresses for years. Nobody can tell you what is comfortable to you, only you can decide. I can tell you "this is a hard mattress" to you it may be soft, it is personal choice. It takes at least 30 nights for your body to adjust to a new mattress. Major retailers all have a comfort guarantee. The key to shopping for a mattress is to take your time, make your self comfortable. Take off your shoes, wear something really comfortable. You don't sleep in a suit, or work shoes, so why lay on a bed for 10 seconds and say "ya i can sleep on that" Take it serious and ask questions about comfort guarantee.

Reviews online regarding a retail purchase are useless, nobody has a good experience and writes about it. When you think about how many mattresses are sold in a year, the few bad reviews are minor. Most cases its the retailers failure to address the issue, and solve it for the customer.

No two retailers carry the same mattress under the same name. The difference can be as simple as a comfort layer added or missing or different type of foam being used, but they are sold as a different mattress to what the competition sells.

 

[Lo-ki]

Just spending $100 on a good mattress pad can do wonders for your mattress. Try that first

Been there and done that... memory foam works great for me..

 

[pro-boner]

foam is the best

Mattresses - A personal odyssey


I'll skip the details of what led me on a long quest of quality mattresses. I concluded that a high quality foam mattress is equal to the best mattress/ box spring sets at any price level. Foam comes in different quality and density (firmness). I do not buy a "mattress" which is being retailed as such - just the raw foam sheet in the same dimensions as a mattress. I can afford the best high-end mattresses and so this is not a budget concern.

I located a foam shop that makes custom futons, boat cushions, mattresses, etc. I live in the US and so cannot recommend in Vancouver. They showed me the high quality foam sheets and the different densities. The foam sheets last me almost ten years. I buy ones that are around 5 or 6 inches thick (don't know metric). They cost around $500 - $600 US. I also purchase a cotton case to protect from soiling. I have been doing this for decades and occasionally review commercial mattresses to see whether anything has changed. I don't think so. BTW, I also purchased one a few years ago for my son in college and his girlfriend. They still have it and love it.

So I cynically think that the mattress industry is a marketing business which delivers much hype. The foam delivers an equal quality sleeping product. Caution: do not buy a futon because they are often of lesser quality foam inside. Just the raw foam. But consult with someone knowledgeable so that you get the high quality foam - there's a big difference in foam types. Caution II: the foam mattress may not readily fit into a box spring/ mattress frame because of depth differences and so you may need to replace.

Good luck with your search.

PS I also use a thin mattress pad as threepeat suggests. I got an eggshell one.

I concur with everything you have said with regards to foam/memory foam combination mattresses. temperpedic is just a brand name for a closed cell foam mattress with a memory foam top. You can make your own custom version at any foam mattress shop for a fraction of the cost of temperpedic (ie. Foam King). I have a 6 inch closed cell foam medium density bottom mattress with an independent 3 inch memory foam top. Both are in their own covers and are independently flippable. A mattress pad takes care of any sweat issues in the summer. I love it, my back loves it. It is wonderful for boning on. Anyone on the bottom feels no pressure, which is great. You will not get spring bounce back to aid you in your efforts, but you get tremendous grip, your paramour of the moment will not slide away from you so you can really get into it.

All in all I much prefer it to regular spring mattress and box spring. Btw, keep your box spring base, just put the foam mattress on top, works fine.

 

[Lets Review]

How do you sleep?

Maybe I missed it, but nobody asked how you sleep. Back, side, crawl, or belly?
I'm a belly sleeper (not a good thing) and tried for years to change but just can't. Also a fractured tailbone that didn't heal exactly right.
I tried every mattress you can think of, foam, super foam, expensive mattresses, pillow tops, the whole 9 yards. Spent thousands.
It got to the point that I couldn't sleep through the night, was in pain a lot and very cranky.

The answer to my problems was - promise not to laugh - a waterbed. Not a fancy hybrid waveless job either. Just a big 'ol heated bag of water.
It has a mattress pad (+ sheet, of course) on top, but that's it. I changed about 15 years ago and sleep like a baby. Back's way better now too.
I have another normal bed for fun and companions, but to sleep I end up in mine.

Good luck, you never know how important sleep is until you're missing it.

 

[sybian]

Ok I'm going to wade in here..I live in a northern climate, and heat with mostly wood fires.
I sleep on a Sealy pillow top with a 2x4 reinforced boxspring...But thats a different story.
That pillow top has a goose down duvet mattress over top, that I bought afterwards.
I got it to fend off the cold at 4 in the morning at -35 when the house got a little chilly.
That down mattress is one of the most comfortable things I've ever slept in, so if you get a down duvet quilt for over top of you...It's like sleeping on a cloud.
I think Ikea sells the mattress top ,and quilt sets.

 

[Violet]

Wow that would be the greatest job pick up line ever.

I sell mattresses baby would you care to test drive a few with me?

Without getting into detail, let's just say that this is in fact a thing and there may be one or two mattress sellers who are pooners. (Probably more - to be fair, who wouldn't think this was a fun idea, after hours in the store?) So, next time you're testing out a demo mattress in a store, know that people might have had some fun on it

 

[Fullhouse]

And sag is something I try to avoid.

Yah, me too.

If there is too much sag, I usually walk. ...

But sometimes you can't really tell until they take off the bra and unleash a set of boobs that hang below their crotch, which means you have to constantly push them out of your face to DATY.................................by then, the type of mattress really doesn't matter....

 

[badbadboy]

Without getting into detail, let's just say that this is in fact a thing and there may be one or two mattress sellers who are pooners. (Probably more - to be fair, who wouldn't think this was a fun idea, after hours in the store?) So, next time you're testing out a demo mattress in a store, know that people might have had some fun on it

That's funny

We used to go to a few DT clubs, bars etc with a group of women and pair off later.

One of the guys worked part time selling higher end beds and accessories. One night three couples were having a good time in the darkness. All fun until VPD started tapping on the window. Ah memories. :nod:

Beds - Duxiana, Cal King with extra Dux Bed topper, 700 thread Pottery Barn sheets for the best (for me anyways) sleep ever.

 

[Hallibuster]

I followed BadgerJohn's lead and saw Jeff, not personally but his store. I did a lot of research on all the brands out there and as I am 6 ft. 2 in. 240.lbs I require a mattress that is firm yet won't be uncomfortable for a side sleeper. As stated, I did my homework and was lucky to find a Trump Regent Park mattress. I have only had it for a short time but love it. I believe it is made by Serta and Trump bought the name. The posture-pedic titanium and most others tend to develop sag in the middle. As BadgerJohn says see Jeff!