Phoenix, as with most visitors I stumbled across your site while in the midst of various Google searches looking to educate myself on mattresses, how to shop for them, and where to shop for them. You’re site is incredible. Thank you for all of the useful information. I almost feel bad for asking for more advice as you already provide so much, but you’ve shown that you’re ready to comment on mattresses people are considering and that’s what I need.
I’m 6’2", 180-lbs, sleep a bit warm, and sleep in multiple positions, but primarily on my side. I’ve shopped at two local retailers here in Austin thus far and am about to go visit three or four more. I’ve read your compliments of Urban Mattress and that’s where I found the bed I really like thus far. The owner was extremely helpful, educated me a lot, and had me test out a number of beds over the two hours I was there. Great guy. This was the first place I tried latex mattresses and I really liked them.
My favorite was the BioTemp Retreat Luxury Firm Euro Top made by Sherwood which I think is also under their “EvoSleep” line (these long, complicated names get kind of ridiculous). I tested it extensively. It was very comfortable and I definitely felt it was providing the comfort and support that you mention. It also felt like it would sleep relatively cool. I know you like Urban Mattress. I’m assuming you probably like Sherwood.
You can see the specs/layers on Sherwood’s site, page 4 at this link:
http://sherwoodbedding.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/EVO_BioTemp_Digis_032013_CPA3.pdf
And pictures here:
http://sherwoodbedding.com/evosleep-bio-temp/
I know you would probably like to see some more specifics on densities and size of certain layers, but I thought this was at least a good start (didn’t know to ask for those when I was in the store, but can call and get them obviously). A major concern that you’ve made clear on your site is the use of low quality polyfoam in the comfort layers.
The graphic shows layers of H.D. (which I know from your site is lower quality then H.R.) Super Soft Soy-Based Comfort Foam and Super-H.D. Soy-Based Upholstery Grade Convoluted Foam in the support layers. And Hyper-Soft Soy-Based Quilt Foam in the comfort layers from what I can see.
I’m hoping that the simple fact that the mattress is made by a better regional manufacturer versus one of the mass-market manufacturers means they’re building the mattresses right even when using H.D. versus H.R. foam. What do you think? As you know Urban Mattress doesn’t really do sales, but they’re discounting this one because it’s the last of this style of this model, the new ones are built the same but just have cosmetic differences so don’t look the same. This brings the price down from $2,600 to $2,079.
At a lot of places, I would be tempted to call “b.s.” on this, but gimmicks didn’t seem to be the owner’s style as he meets all the qualifications you mention in looking for a local expert. The company also has a ton of great reviews on Yelp which you have to take with a grain of salt but is still a positive sign that they do things right. That leads me to think it’s a good deal. Any comments and help are appreciated. Thanks again.