Hi arc,
[quote]I’m considering getting a cheaper base with a topper. Specifically, after trying many things, the most comfortable in the <1000$ price range was somehow this www.sleepworld.com/mattress/sleepworld-designs/1797777/ + a memory foam topper
It seemed to address all the PPP’s, but I’m still worried given the consensus here about such distributors that it’s overprice and will fail in a year…[/quote]
You can see my comments about buying a mattress/topper combination where you can’t test the combination in person in post #2 here.
At the very least I would make sure that you know the specifics of all the layers in the “base” mattress (see this article) so you can confirm there aren’t any lower quality materials or weak links in the base mattress (which would be very likely in a mattress in this budget range). In many if not most cases you would probably be able to purchase a better sleeping system in the same or a lower budget range as the mattress/topper combination by purchasing a mattress that already has the comfort layers that you are looking for inside the mattress itself (instead of on top of the mattress) and that doesn’t contain the lower quality materials that are subject to early softening or breakdown that would likely be in a base mattress in this budget range.
Have you actually tested the specific mattress topper combination to make sure that it’s a good match for you in terms of PPP? The only way that you will know with any certainty if the combination is a good “match” for you will be based on your own careful testing or personal sleeping experience.
I would also be very cautious about using another mattress (or a mattress topper combination) as your “target” or reference point because it may not be the best possible match for you in the first place and you could end up excluding another mattress that may be different but could be a better choice in terms of PPP. The human memory for softness, firmness, and “feel” is also very unreliable and a mattress that may feel similar to what you “remember” another mattress feels like may end up being very different. I would rate every mattress you consider against a common set of criteria (rather than against another mattress or mattress/topper) using the testing guidelines in the tutorial post and based on which one is the best “match” for you in terms of PPP and all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
There is also more about the different ways to choose the most suitable mattress (locally and online) that can help you assess and minimize the risks involved of making a choice that isn’t as suitable for you as you hoped for with each of them in post #2 here.
The better options or possibilities I’m aware of in and around the San Francisco area (subject to the quality/value guidelines here) are listed in post #2 here.
There is more about the different types of support systems that would be suitable for different types of mattresses and some good sources for each of them in post #1 here but most retailers and manufacturers will have a foundation that is suitable for a mattress that you purchase from them.
Most toppers will be fine since they will be secured to the mattress with your mattress protector and your sheets and bedding.
Phoenix