Hi DanielNJ!
[quote]I’m looking for some good hybrid or innerspring mattresses made with zip-open quilted covers allowing access to the comfort layers underneath.
I believe the Nest Alexander Hybrid is one model that fits my criteria. Are there others? The Nest looks pretty good but some say it’s quite soft and I think the 16-gauge pocket coils may have something to do with that. I’ve been sleeping on 15 gauge pocket coils which are presumably firmer, and I like that level of support.[/quote]
There are other variables besides the coil gauge that define the level of firmness you may experience on a particular hybrid mattress. You can’t tell how firm the mattress would feel just based on the coil gauge because the number of coils (or the coil density), the height of the coil, the diameter of the coil, the shape of the coil, and the number of turns in each coil, and some of the other coil specs that can differentiate one coil from another can also make a significant difference in the firmness and response of the innerspring … It may be worth the time to check with NestBedding and explain your concerns. There is no one better qualified than them to make suggestions based on the “averages” of other customers that may be similar to you. The more accurate and detailed the information you provide them the better you will help them to help you make the best possible choices out of the options they have available.
There is an entire thread on the Nest Alexander Hybrid mattress here, which you may find useful. It includes everything from expert opinions on the foam density to consumer experiences with the mattress itself.
You may also find this thread on All Latex vs Latex Hybrid mattresses informative, including a few other Trusted Member recommendations who offer hybrid mattresses.
There are thousands of mattresses that would fit your criteria and many of them offered by our Trusted members. You can peruse through their offerings and narrow your options based on your Mattress buying personal value equation and focus on the things that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for)
While I or any expert or moderator of the site can’t make specific recommendations for you on other hybrid models, we can certainly offer guidance on your finalists. The first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for someone else in terms of “comfort” or PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more accurate than their own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or if they can’t test a mattress in person then their own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here ).
As I mentioned, many of our TMU Mattress Trusted Memberoffer hybrid options, so it may be worth your time to peruse the directory if you’re wanting to compare hybrids.
Please keep me posted on your mattress shopping journey!
Phoenix