Hi Again,
I understand your concern with TP and their use of FG in the inner layers. While I have posted many times, I am not a big TP mattress fan, not because of the FB issue, I just don’t find them firm enough for my liking. I actually think they are 1st in class when it comes to the quality of their original tempur memory foam, but memory foam for some has its own set of issues. It is hot, as you heat up, it heats up and gets softer, then you sink, you get hotter, it has a tendency to break down faster than other materials, particularly natural fibers. I actually, love their pillows and since 1993, I have been using a variety of TP pillows, until about a month or two ago, I got back to my nostalgic stage and moved back to the horsehair pillows, like I had growing up.
Your brother, I know you love him, but unless he is your identical twin with identical PPP’s (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) just say thanks for the info, bro, I will take it from here. Eveyone will have different experiences. He may like Puma’s you may like Adidas, he may like chicken, and you like turkey. That doesnt make either of you right or wrong, we just all have our own preferences.
Now, S&F makes some very nice mattresses, so he is correct. But so is the internet in so far as their advice to S brands. Back in the day, they were the among the best out there, but like everything else, things evolve. Corporate takeovers, shareholders, accounts, profit margins, all the “corporate” stuff muddies the waters and sometimes reputations of the past don’t always match up to products being produced today. One of the biggest hurdles is transparency. You can never really find out what materials, densities, gauges and other key information that many would prefer to know when making, in some cases, a 2-15k decision, that you may be spending on some of these mattresses from those famous brand companies we had always come to love and respect. Perhaps because they sell more mattresses, there are more complaints out there. Or it is simply a matter of the materials being used. Either way, you want to be comfortable and confident in your purchase.
I will pause a second to say, the best mattress for you, is the one that works. Sometimes, it is the $1000 mattress or it could be the $15000 mattress or one somewhere in between or more. If the 15k mattress feels uncomfortable, then no matter how much quality went into it, is it just no good to you.
First you want to think about the type of mattress you think you want. How tall are you, what is your weight, if you have a partner, what about their preferences and body profile. What were you comfortable with before, or were you ever comfortable?
Take you Helix MN Elite. Personally, I am a big fan of Brooklyn Bedding, parent company of Helix. I think they do an excellent job in the BinB genre. Full disclosure, I own a BB myself. I have looked at the elite. Personally, I think the Helix Midnight is a better choice. I have a hard time with the 2 separate layers of 0.5" micro coils in this setup. Generally, MC are used to replace a layer of memory foam in the comfort layer. This is to increase airflow, keep the sleeper from the potentially heat retaining memory foam, while still providing targeted pressure relief. Memory foam is famous for pressure relieving abilities, just not so much longevity. But thoughtfully laid out MC can accomplish close to the same thing, without the side effects. Quite frankly I would have preferred they use an inch or inch and a half MC rather than 2- 0.5 inch layers between memory foam. The purpose it to get rid of the memory foam, when using MC, why surround the MC with it? I am suspicious about what exactly they will do at that height in the mattress for the sleeper. Plus the fact they put the memory foam in there anyway as they describe for “additional” support and pressure relief. I think it is overkill for an additional 1500 to $2000 more. Is it a nice mattress, sure is, I would be willing to bet that any one of our trusted members (Our Manufacturer Memberships :: The Mattress Underground) could come up with something that is equally as comfortable, with all natural materials, with more favorable longevity than the HME. Now the regular HM or HML, for far less, just may offer the same amount of comfort and longevity as the HME.
Of course, this is only one person’s opinion, and since everyone is different, you just never know what someone is going to like. I like to break mattresses down to it component structure and layers. I think about what each layer is, where it is placed and what is it going to do to make my sleep environment more comfortable and enjoyable.
Your tradition of sleeping on an innerspring with a foam topper, still reigns supreme today for many. Even though I have a BinB, it is a simple design, heavy gauge coils with one layer of decent quality HD foam a cover panel layer and done, duplicated on the other side with a bit more cushion. So, two very firm surfaces (our preference) one just a bit firmer than the other.
A mattress is only as good as its weakest layer, so if one layer goes, and it is not the type of mattress that offers interchangeable or replaceable layers, the mattress is done. With your traditional set up, if the topper fails, buy a new topper and keep going, rather than a new mattress. That doesn’t mean you have to purchase a mattress with interchangeable layers, a high-quality mattress manufactured with quality materials, will offer a mattress that will give you comfort for many years to come.
Back to the Helix MN. I like the Helix MN and the Luxe, I think there is nice quality and value there. Jumping to the Elite, I think you would want to try other mattresses in that more, “closing into premium” range mattresses. I not trying to knock it in any way, I think you will find better choices.
Recently, another TMU member purchased a mattress in that range at one of the Trusted Members, Shovlin Mattress, she and her husband couldn’t be happier, quality mattress, transparent about the materials, built to last. Comfort directed at what they like and matched nicely.
One thing I always tell folks in addition to the mattress, you need to be aware of the merchants, Refund, Return, Restocking Fee, and Exchange Policies, before you sign on the dotted line and they hand you a receipt with those policies printed somewhere in small print on the receipt. You dont want to get caught up in a 25% restocking fee or some no refund policy. If you do your due diligence, work with the right folks, you can nail this on the first try.
I know there was not an exact recommendation in this long explanation, but hopefully, there is food for thought. I am sure others will want to offer advice of their own.
Providing your body profile along with your partner’s will help in the process. Height, weight, sleep position etc. is where you want to start this entire process.