Alternate suggestions - value vs. longevity?

[phoenix]

Hi Sleeplessbwj,

In Dec 2011 my wife and I went to Beloit Mattress in WI and tried out the Solace (www.beloitmattress.com/mattressess/solid-foam-line/solace/) and the Nature Rest Level 2 (www.beloitmattress.com/mattressess/solid...nature-rest-level-2/). The Solace is affordable and very comfortable, but the natures rest is the most comfortable but significantly more expensive. We are currently not planning to purchase from Beloit for 2 reason - First, the prices went up significantly since we looked, and secondly I would have to rent a truck for the 150 mile round trip that would take most of a saturday to accomplish just getting it.

I can certainly understand the hesitancy with renting a truck but have you inquired about having it delivered? While all manufacturers in the industry are affected by multiple recent increases in materials including all types of foam … the prices of the two mattresses you mentioned (which are listed as a set price not mattress only) make them high value options when you look at the high quality of the materials they are using and also consider that they are being sold as a set with a power stack (high quality) foundation. While I don’t have a historical record of prices for manufacturers … I don’t see the “significant” price increases you see.

I do accept that less expensive mattresses may only have 5-7 year useful life.

While this would certainly be true in some cases … it would also depend on the type and quality of materials used, on the construction, and of course on many other factors including the use of the mattress and the weight of the people on it. In general though … the “weak link” of a mattress is in the upper layers and if you use higher quality materials there it can significantly extend the life of the mattress.

1) If my wife does not like the saavy rest/sleep ez (solid latex mattress), what are some of the best alternatives for beds with polyfoam/HR foam base with either latex or memory foam comfort layers? From the “sleeps like the dead” site, many people like the bed in a box beds, but I have my doubts on how long their 3lb/cu ft memory foam would hold up…what are other options?

I would have my doubts as well and again in general terms … I would not seriously consider memory foam in densities that low unless it was in very thin quilting layers to “fine tune” the feel of a mattress, not as the main comfort layer. This would be especially true for anyone in the 200 lb range or more. I would not look at any memory foam under 4 lbs and even then I would use it only as part of the layering and not as the main part of a thicker memory foam layer (for example a thinner layer of 4 lb used for it’s different qualities over a layer of 5 lb or higher may be worth considering but even then 4 lb memory foam is not as durable as 5 lb). These are general guidelines of course because the type and order of the materials and layering will also affect the durability of the materials. There is more about the many factors involved in durability in post #2 here.

2) can any of these less expensive option be customized for each side? Can the Dream foam bedding be customized for each side, since it appears to be a high value option?

Side to side splits may be offered by local manufacturers at any budget range but they are less common in sub $1000 mattresses. I don’t have a price based list of manufacturers that offer this though so it would depend more on asking each manufacturer that you are considering whether this is an option that they offer (and many manufacturers could do this) or that may benefit you with the combination of layers and materials they are using. The Dream Foam doesn’t offer a side to side split but as you mentioned is a high value option.

I really have my doubts that a matress that is comfortable for her would do an adequate job keeping me in alignment and comfortable.

Bear in mind that side to side splits are one way to customize a mattress to two different people but not the only way. Each person will come to rest either shallower or deeper in a mattress and different types of layering can also be used to make a mattress suitable for two people. For example a heavier person like yourself may “mostly use” and be affected by the top 4" of a mattress which could have a softer layer and then a more medium “transition” layer which together become the comfort layer for that person. A firm base under this would provide the support. This same layering could also work for a lighter person who would “mostly use” the upper layer as a comfort layer. In other words … the “transition” layer would function more as part of the comfort layers for the heavier one and more as part of the support layers for the lighter person.

3) any other suggestions? What have I missed?

With all other things being equal … latex is the most durable foam but it’s advantage in a support layer is more than just durability because high quality polyfoam or innersprings can also be very durable in the support layers of a mattress. All of these will have different types of performance and “feel”. The advantage of latex in the support layers is just as much in it’s qualities of elasticity and ability to conform and adapt to different positions, it’s feel, and in its other properties that make is a very desirable material in terms of performance not only durability.

If you are looking at mainly latex … then the options you have (SleepEz, Dreamfoam, and Beloit if they remain a consideration) are all excellent and your choices are “all good” and would depend on which parts of your “value equation” re most important to you.

If you are looking at memory foam … then you’ve probably seen this but in case you haven’t … post #12 here along with Beloit would be among your better quality and value options.

Phoenix