Hi rhuntsman21,
the key to deciding between memory foam and latex is to test both of them locally to see which you prefer. Memory foam is generally widely available (including Tempurpedic which is a bit slower recovery than other memory foams). Latex can sometimes be a little more difficult to find. going by the “theory” of the differences between them is not nearly as effective as trying them in person.
Gel memory foam can have a temporary benefit in terms of temperature regulation because the gel is thermally conductive (which is why it feels cooler to the touch like putting your hand on a marble countertop) but once the temperature between the foam and your body has equalized then the foam itself is an insulator and can still trap heat. There are also many other factors involved in the sleeping temperature of a mattress besides just the foam that is used. There’s more about this in post #2 here. In some cases … even a mattress protector or the sheets you use can have a significant effect on sleeping temperature.
I took a look around the Idaho Falls area and you have some good options where you can test latex, memory foam, gel memory foam, innersprings, buckling column gel, and various hybrid combinations as well. Some of these may have also some “better” value and I’ve listed the brands I would include in my research at each one but it’s always important to make sure you are dealing with someone who has the ability and willingness to tell you the details of what is in the mattresses they sell.
Furniture Row® Store Locations - Store Hours & Addresses Idaho Falls. They are a regional manufacturer that has a “mostly latex” mattress with or without a latex or memory foam topper as well as a range of innerspring mattresses with some good quality and value. They don’t make any memory foam mattresses but they do carry Tempurpedic which use mostly good quality materials and would be a good way to test memory foam mattresses of different types as a guideline for an online purchase even though they don’t have good value at all and I would never consider purchasing one of them. I would ignore any of the other major brands they also carry unless again it is for testing various materials. As you can see in post #132 here … it would be a good idea to call before you go there to make sure what they have on their floor.
http://www.completecomfortbeds.com/contact Idaho Falls. Their website says carry some Natura latex mattresses as well as their Nexgel buckling column gel as well as the Intellibed buckling column gel and Pure latex Bliss Talalay latex mattresses and a house brand. I would also call first here to make sure what they are currently carrying because websites are often out of date but they appear to have some good selection and would be worth visiting.
http://mattressmartidaho.com/ Pocatello, ID. Restonic (memory foam, gel foam, latex hybrids, innerspring hybrids). I talked with Reno (the owner) here and he is a one man operation with low margin and likely has some better quality/value. He knows foam densities and will provide them for any of his mattresses.
http://bedplacerexburg.com/ Rexburg, ID. Their site lists Diamond which are made in Salt Lake City. They make some memory foam, latex, and innerspring mattresses which may have some better quality/value. I haven’t talked with them so I don’t know what they may have on the floor.
I would tend to exclude the other retailers in your area and with these you will at least have the chance to test different material combinations of each type you are interested in and there may be some reasonable value here as well.
Hope this helps.
Phoenix