I spoke with a customer representative at Berkeley today and she asked me some questions and said she would try to help me make a good choice for them to ship to me without me laying on it, since there are no stores near here that carry their brand. I am intrigued because they have the natural coverings. Not sure I need the flexible slat base? Has anyone experienced the adjustable base? What do you think?
Hi color,
They certainly have high quality quilted covers that use natural materials (cotton and wool) but I would keep in mind that there are many other manufacturers that also have covers that use natural materials as well.
You will find that some people do better in terms of PPP with the Berkeley Ergonomics tension adjustable slatted base and some that donāt (or some that donāt notice a difference either way) depending on the specific mattress, your sleeping position, your body type, and how sensitive you are to changes in your sleeping system. It can certainly help with āfine tuningā for some people but there really isnāt a formula that you can use to decide whether it would be an improvement for you or not so without trying it in person under the mattress you choose, it will really be a matter of ābest judgementā based on your specifics of your conversation with them.
You can see more of my thoughts about tension adjustable slatted foundations in post #13 here and post #2 here and post #2 here.
Phoenix
Phoenix,
Your references to your very thorough posts regarding the adjustable tension supports seems to make it clear to me. I am probably too lightweight, at 120 pounds, to feel a difference from the adjustable slats beneath. Also, the rep did tell me that, when they fit the bed to pro basketball players, the guys really like the adjustable slats for their shoulders when they are side sleepers. I donāt think I fall into that weight or body type!
Really, all the reading on this site does help determine how the mattresses are made and why, and then it is easier to determine what works.
For example, I always thought that āsoftā mattresses were bad for you to sleep on. What I am finding out, since I am a lightweight side sleeper, is that I need the support underneath, but I need softness on top to cradle my hips and shoulders and support proper spine alignment. That is probably why I find sleeping on the couch so comfortable and cosy sometimes!
Thanks for all your info on this site. And when I spoke with the Berkeley Mattress company, I made sure I told them that I heard about their mattresses from this website. They said they hadnāt done much selling of their mattresses directly to consumers, but it had increased this year quite a bit, and if the consumers were able to answer some questions (and show some knowledge of the process, Iām sure), they were willing to ship them one and see how it worked out, and it had been fine so far.
What other manufacturers would you recommend for an innerspring mattress?
Hi color,
There are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved for anyone to recommend a specific mattresses for someone else (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
I would choose a mattress based on the most important parts of the āvalueā of a mattress purchase (see post #13 here) not based on the name of the manufacturer. The suitability of a mattress, the durability of a mattress, and how it compares to your other finalists are always more important than the name of the manufacturer. The tutorial post has the step by step suggestions about how to find a mattress that is the best value for you.
Iāve linked to the Atlanta list in your other topic and the tutorial post includes a link to the list of the members here that are recommended and sell mattresses online. Some of these sell innerspring mattresses.
If you are considering latex/innerspring hybrid mattresses then there are a few options listed in post #2 here as well (always subject to the guidelines I linked about suitability, durability, and the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you).
Phoenix
I have gone ahead and ordered a BE1500 Berkeley Ergonomics mattress from their website. I called and spoke to a customer representative, who was very helpful and she and I walked through it. You cannot order directly from their website, but I think a conversation is better anyway.
It should be here in less than two weeks - I will update on the process!
Hi color,
Congratulations on your new mattress 
You certainly made a good quality choice and Iām looking forward to your comments and feedback when you receive it.
Phoenix