Hi AwkwardSleeper,
[quote]The aforementioned, oh so affordable Sealy Optimum Etude (which may actually be on clearance as they say, since it is no longer carried in my hometown) at 256$
3" of probable 1.35lb polyfoam/gel
5.5" of probable 2lb foam (guessing from feeling a couple of 2lb mattresses and salespersons reassurances)
0.5" of cotton poly fibre blend
Debate: Likely useless warranty, will eventually, in approx.1 year, need another $100+ of a new comfort layer but comfy, and SO affordable ha, and if the 5.5inches is really 2lb than possibly passable for my weight.
9inch bed
I’m VERY likely to write it off completely as the 2lb density is just a guess. and McGeachies informed me that the 1.35lb density will likely begin to wear down within 3-4 months.[/quote]
It’s unlikely that the base foam would be 2 lb density in this price range (1.5 would be more likely) but regardless of this the 3" of 1.35 lb polyfoam would be a significant weak link in this mattress and this would be a very risky purchase that I would tend to avoid.
[quote]The Panda from the FoamZone at $200
a hodgepodge of materials,
two 2" of 2lb egg foam sandwiched around 1 inch of unknown, white, cheap feeling, guessing some low polyfoam
and 1" of a multi-colored chip foam which I heard is durable, and hard
6" altogether
Debate: affordable, maybe durable with the layer of chipfoam? majority 2lb foam in it.
Already crossed off my list since its hodgepodgery makes me nervous and I thought I could feel the floor through it.[/quote]
It doesn’t make much difference what the majority of the foam in a mattress is because a mattress will only be as durable as its weakest link. the 2 lb polyfoam is a good quality material although with the convoluting it would be less durable than a solid layer of 2 lb polyfoam. They should be able to tell you the density of the 1" layer underneath it (you can’t “feel” density because any density an be made in firmer or softer versions) but with only 1" this by itself wouldn’t be a significant weak link. The 1" base layer sounds like some kind or rebond (often used in carpet underlay) which would be a durable material. Overall this one is “not bad” because it only has 1" of unknown quality materials. It would probably be a more durable choice than the Etude.
[quote]Mystery-Mom’s always know best!-Wholehome mattress set! sale of $430 includes boxspring
www.sears.ca/product/wholehome-style-fac…sets/601-87650-87650
After calling Sears and talking to the mattress people I couldn’t find out any more information on it than the website says as that is the info they are given…:
0.5 (mystery) bio foam and 20oz of hollow fibre
2" (mystery) bio “comfort” foam
0.5" of (mystery) Bio tri-visco memory foam
insulator pad and 14.5 gauge continuous coil, 608 coils
10" mattress, 9" box spring
Debate: Affordable, comes with box spring, if comfort layer wears down still have something that resembles a innerspring mattress that I can find a nice topper for. But is a mystery bed and if I can find one, a bonnel spring bed seems a better option. Would like to write it off but don’t want to offend my Mother who is quite excited about it :3[/quote]
Springwall has told me that they would provide the density of the foam materials in any mattress they make (see post #4 here) so it would be worthwhile calling them here to find out the density of the foam layers so you can make an informed choice about this mattress. I would treat “unknown foam densities” in the same way as I would treat low quality foam layers and with about 3" of foam on top of this mattress it could also be a very risky purchase without knowing the quality/density of the foam layers. Without this information it’s not possible for me to make any meaningful comments about the mattress other than suggesting I would avoid any mattress where there was more than about an inch or so of unknown quality materials.
[quote]$390-$450 Depending on cover wanted, single slab of foam from McGeachies
solid 6" of 2.2lb polyfoam on I’d guess firm side
Debate: $400+ for a single layer of 6inches of foam seems like a lot to my admittedly inexperienced eyes, definantly feels like decent quality, felt like a firmer version of the sealy mattress. Some concerns about its warranty, they measure by pressing on the foam instead of measuring, which seems fine, but I understand they are having some financial difficulties and if things were to go ill for them (hopefully not, I was pretty impressed with there customer service, they seem like really decent folk!) there is the concern of there no longer being a store to collect from if there is a fault in the foam. I feel like it would be close to my PPP fit with my old egg foamies on top of it. Just not sure about spending $400 on it. Would you say that’s about average? Was told it should be no problem with my weight and will last 8 to 10 years without any to significant softening. But also wondering if 6inches is thick enough…[/quote]
This would certainly be the highest quality and most durable choice out of the options that you’ve mentioned. If it includes a good cover then I would say that the price is reasonable. For me the quality of the materials is more important than a warranty and if there is a defective layer it will normally show up early in the life of the mattress.
As far as which of these is the best match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) only you can know that based on your personal testing or sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here). If you can’t test a mattress in person then the options you have to exchange or return the mattress after a purchase if it doesn’t turn out to be a good match for you would become a much more important part of the “value” of your purchase because you will need to sleep on the mattress to know how well it works for you.
Phoenix