Hi bggarric,
I certainly understand your hesitation about an online order.
There are several online choices listed in post #12 here which are among the better online choices available and are also very good at providing guidance over the phone. I use these as a “value reference” as well. I would suggest talking with a few of them (especially the ones that are members here) and telling them about what you have tested, what they may have that is similar (or better) and about their exchange or return policies as well. At least that way you would have some good value reference points and you would know what was available to you and how you felt about the potential benefits of an online order vs a local purchase .
You would probably be much clearer about which direction you were most comfortable with that way and would feel better about whichever direction you chose to go. I generally use a guideline that if an online purchase of a similar or better mattress is about 20% or so less in an apples to apples comparison then I would consider it to be roughly equivalent value (making up for the additional risk of an online order).
If the local premium was less than about 20% … I would more strongly consider a local purchase. If it was more than about 20% or so I would more strongly consider an online purchase … particularly if some of the other benefits (customization, layer exchanges or mattress returns etc) made them less risky.
Out of the ones you are looking at locally … I would certainly be leaning towards the Golden. Your lighter weights means that 4 lb memory foam will be more durable than it would for higher weights and as you mentioned reviews are not only mostly subjective but can be very misleading as well because a mattress is only as good as the quality of the materials in it. In many cases reviews (outside of reviews for the service provided at a retailer) are more like the blind leading the blind (see post #44 here) because most consumers have no idea of how to tell the quality of a mattress they purchased and in most cases everyone just follows everyone else over the cliff.
In any case … a few calls to some of the online retailers will likely help you no matter which direction you decide to go.
Phoenix