Post 375 was the main one I was looking for, but I did not realize it was slightly more than two years ago. I ran out of steam searching all of Bob's posts. I had even made a copy of 375, but was having a senior moment and could not locate it.

Tom D.

Originally posted in thread: 1547

17. Many questions, many answers
kbmuenkel| 09-18-03 | 09:06 AM
First, the "best mattress" is more subjective than one would like to hear. It is easier to discuss durability, strength, body support systems, edge support systems, etc. Mattresses are far more complicated than most realize, nonetheless, I will endeavor to simplify the process.

Body support...your spine requires support at all times, but your muscles responsible for the support of your spine require rest. If you sleep on a non-supportive, or inadequate supportive surface, the muscles cannot rest and therefore fatigue throughout the night and send signals to your brain to "toss and turn". The result, you wake up stiff and you were robbed of the deeper stages of sleep necessary for proper functioning the next day. A proper supportive surface will allow the muscles to rest, reduce tossing and turning, and eliminate the fatigue in the morning. The role of support in the mattress is to achieve two things...PROPER SPINAL ALIGNMENT (contour) and POSITIVE RESISTANCE (spinal support). You must have both to achieve proper support and therefore it's best to compare systems against these criteria.

The various support systems offered in the marketplace are:
100% Latex (rubber)
Poly-Urethane foams
Poly-Urethane foam / Visco foam (memory foam)
Water & Air (displacement-flotation system)
Pocketed coil designs (wrapped coils)
Open coil designs (many variations)
Continuous coils (spirals)

By far, the best mattress that money can buy is a solid latex mattress with at least 85% to 90% latex listed on the law-label. A latex mattress has near-perfect contouring capability (as does urethane foams, displacement-flotation systems, and pocketed coil designs), but has superior support performance (positive resistance) than the others. Finally, a solid latex mattress has a life-span of at least 20+ years and will never show a body impression (gully or canoeing effect).

Poly-urethane foams including memory foam (visco-elastic) have the same properties as latex but will not last as long. On average, poly-foam is one third as resilient as latex. Poly-foams will show body impressions over time. The most popular Poly-foam beds are Sears. The most popular visco-elastic beds are Tempurpedic.

Displacement-Flotation systems (Water & Air) have near-perfect countouring performance but rely on displacement for positive resistance. In essence, your body has to press down in some areas to increase pressure in other areas. Many consumers with special needs for support have found these systems to be inadequate since they have a tendency to "hammock" based on your body type, however, if you're among the norm, you'll find these systems to be enormously comfortable. The most common air bed is Select Comfort. The most common waterbed is Somma (currently out of business). Water beds are fading fast as air beds are taking their place.

Pocketed coil designs (wrapped coils) are the most contouring innerspring systems but generally do not hold up as well as open coils systems and continuous wire (spirals) systems. Pocketed coils are great for isolating motion (limiting transfer of movement from one side to another), and are considered to be very comfortable sleep systems. Their durabilty over time is their weakness. The most famous pocketed coil design is the Simmons Beautyrest.

Open coil systems are the most common with the most variances within brands. Their conformance differs from design to design with Sealy and Stearns & Foster being the best. The best open coil system in the market is Stearns & Foster (IMO). The most famous open coil system in the market is Sealy Posturepedic. Because of the variances within brands, there is alot to say within this category (too much for this space).

Continuos wire systems (spirals) are the least conforming among innerspring systems but are very durable and hold up well. The most famous continuous system in the market is Serta Perfect Sleeper. The best continuous wire system in the market is Kingsdown (IMO).

More to come

Bob

Originally posted in thread: 1547

Wow.....away from the PC for only 2 days and people start to go bonkers wondering where you are. Sorry but I don't always have enough free time lately to get on as often as I like.

Bob, Thanks for all the info. I think I am going to wait till February to purchase a new bed. I'll make my decision after I see the new lines coming out from Sealy and Stearns and Foster. And yes, I am from Connecticut. Usually I buy my bedding from Better Bedding but am willing to purchase from most anywhere.

One concern I have is that the Sealy web site has no local retailers listed as selling their Latex line. Think I'll call them next week to verify that. Are you familar with a local company called Gold Bond? They also make a latex mattress but I have no idea how good it is.

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it.

Mike H

Originally posted in thread: 1547

I know the owners of Better Bedding, so if you want to purchase there, I may be able to help. They carry Natural Response from King Koil, but if it's latex you decide on, I would stick with Nature's Rest or Sealy's line. Gold Bond is local for CT but I know little about their current latex line. I do know Gold Bond does not make their own latex. I can find out the information easily.

Tom & Lynn, thanks for tracking down thread 375. That was the one I was thinking about but couldn't find. I remember going into much detail back then. Most of that information still applies.

Bob

Originally posted in thread: 1547

who found that post, Bob.

Good to see you again, Mike. We are lucky to have Bob on the forum giving us valuable information.

This time, Bob, I will put my mattress print out of your words somewhere safe.

Thank you for your valuable time,

LynnC

Originally posted in thread: 1547

"Ray, I have connections in PA as well. If I recall correctly, you are near Allentown, right?"

Yes, Easton is about ten miles east of Allentown. Bethlehem, PA is between the two and all three are on Route 78.

" Maybe Julie would like my tracking spreadsheet for her Prius ;>)"

Sure, she plans to keep the Prius for ten years so tracking the performance would be a great help. You can send it to me at rcg123@optonline.net.

Many thanks

Ray

Originally posted in thread: 1547

Buying a mattress is important, ecspecially if you have back trouble. We probably invested at least 2 full days on buying a mattress.

We bought a topper of one inch tempurpedic at Sam's Club for $120 and it worked for me. It was incredibly comfortable. But my husband has back trouble and he decided to get a full set of tempurpedic.

It grew complicated. The bottom was extra thick and we have a 4 poster tall bed. I had to "jump" to get in bed with the taller set. ha My husband then bought the shorter, regular sized bottom and now I like it a lot. There was just 3 inches difference, but it made a big difference.

The back specialist that my husband goes to said that people with back trouble are making the mattress companies rich. Everyone that he sees say that they bought a new mattress and that didn't help.

Originally posted in thread: 1547

Bob, thanks for all your information you provide. The business I deal with does not carry Sealy any longer. They now are exclusive with Spring Air and carry Natures Rest. I was looking at the Sealy Venice Beach Queen set. Can you give me the name of the comparable Natures Rest set? Thanks. Charles

Originally posted in thread: 1547

as wallstreet mentions, is a good idea if you would like a softer mattress. Worth a try instead of spending tons of money on a new mattress.

Overstock.com has some good prices on toppers.

LynnC

Originally posted in thread: 1547

I was traveling on business all week and just checked in.

Ray, I have connections at Sleepy's which sells in your area. Also, the Sealy representative for Eastern PA is a friend of mine. When you are ready, I may be able to help you. I will email you my Prius spreadsheet for Julie.

Charles, regarding Nature's Rest, there are some new models in the market which I need to do more research to give you an educated opinion. As for the Sealy Reflexions Venice Beach, I would wait for the new Sealy Spring Free Latex line to hit retailer's floors in the next few months. I saw them this week and was very impressed. I believe they are an improvement over the current Reflexions line. If you like the Venice Beach, there are 3 Sealy Spring Free latex models that you should look at - Jacaranda Plush @ $1,799, Meadows Plush @ $1,999, and Pampas Plush Pillowtop @ $2,499. Those prices are for queen sets.

Bob

Originally posted in thread: 1547

Thanks Bob. I am looking at the Spring Air products of which Natures Rest is a part. I live in North Carolina and many of the furniture businesses in the Hickory, Lenoir, and other areas offer great direct prices. Just need to get them to price a decent queen set from Natures Rest (latex, as I think you sold us). Thanks. Charles

Originally posted in thread: 1547