I went to two bed stores today, briefly lied down on a bunch of mattresses in the first one but only a few in the second one. I didn’t feel much different lying down on bed after bed, like there’s much variance in the firmness and fell of mattresses, though I wonder if it has to do being fat, ~250lbs big (answer that in the comments if u can).
1 Like
There is a difference. Most mattresses are instantly forgettable. Test them out with same clothes on multiple days.
Dont look for a mattress you can live with. Look for a mattress you cant live without.
Follow the TMU tutorial.
John
Any mattress may be made to feel good for the first 10 minutes. As matter of fact, companies design them that way, specifically for ‘showroom" mattresses.
I was 250lb and 6’ in 2022 when I was searching for a new mattress. I was looking for a very firm mattress. When trying the firmest ones I could get my body on, the initial impact was, this feels nice, that one felt nice, yeah, this one is great, then there were the ones that were noticeably not good.
The first thing if you are out window shopping, is lay on it for a good 20-30 minutes to let your body settle in. Just to give it perspective.
The problem is, even after a half hour of laying on a mattress, you still may not know. The ones that are piled with comfort layers of viscoelastic memory foam will start to present themself as such as your body temperature will start to heat it up and you will start to sink or be cuddled by the mattress.
Since everyone is different, you may or may not like it. For instance, my wife and I like to sleep on the mattress surface, without sinking, cuddling, or mattress hugging.
Many folks will tell you, looking at the specs of the mattress will not dictate the comfort level an individual or a couple may prefer. While I don’t disagree, I don’t agree completely. The trusted members here in TMU all are transparent with their specs on the materials they use. Either openly on their website or if you inquire about them.
I tried a variety of mattresses from several sources in my area and a little beyond. Oddly enough, the one I purchased, I did sight unseen, never laid a finger on it until it was on my foundation in my house.
Many of the other experts here will speak about your BMI, PPP and other the other technical features that are an integral part of searching for the right mattress. I would guess that 80%+ of the time they nail it. As those characteristics usually are the path to success. Unfortunately, some folks just don’t understand what it all means, don’t want, or have the time to research it, and become exhausted. They end up choosing something in frustration and fatigue, surrendering to the salesperson.
After trying numerous mattresses, I started comparing the build of every mattress. Every layer, what each was made from. Comparing each mattress side by side on the computer screen. I tried to get the weight, density, material composition, gauge of the springs, how many turns, format of the springs, of each layer, where is was made, where was it sourced from. It became a bit of a science project for me.
The purpose was to try and predict whether the mattress would “likely” hold my 250lb body without becoming the titanic.
Many companies (what I call the quality brands of yesteryear), that are available at every box and fine department store made it impossible to ascertain that information. Unfortunately for them, it made it easier for me to eliminate them from the competition. These were mattresses that ranged from 3-$14k.
For larger folks like us (I am down to 220 now) we do need to be concerned with each layer of the mattress and whether it will support us. I focused on the support layer first, looking for mattresses that have springs, preferably pocketed, in the 13’s gauge range. Then I would look at the next layer, since we like firm, it would either be natural fibers then when compressed, they get firmer, like wool or horsehair, or HD (High Density) foam of at least 1.8lbs with an ILD of at least 36, then a cover layer/panel. In addition, I wanted a mattress that was flippable, like in the old days.
After reading hundreds of individual and independent reviews, a pattern started to present itself. The more layers above that support layer and the “taller” the mattress, the more people were complaining about mattresses sinking. Many of those Department Store and Big Box brands love to show those very puffy, thick, tufted, seeming luxurious mattresses. Unfortunately, you can’t tell mattress quality by how it looks on the outside.
For me, simple was better. Your mattress will only be as good as its weakest layer. If one of those layers uses inferior materials, the likelihood of that layer failing rises, and the rest of the mattress will soon go with it.
This is not to say you can’t have a mattress with an 8" spring support layer and 6 or 8" of foam, natural fibers, or latex in the mix, it means they better be good quality, otherwise the mattress is doomed to fail. Plus, you want the support layer to be able to do its job in its “supporting” role. Too many layers above it, the mattress starts to use the comfort layer to offer comfort and support and the spring layer barely or simply does not get utilized for the purpose of why it is there.
I could go with examples, but hopefully you get the main focus for your search.
Quality supportive spring support layer (you could use a quality firm dunlop or talalay support core, I just prefer springs for heavier folks.) Quality comfort layer, HD foams of 1.8lbs or more, if you prefer memory foam, at least those who are 4lb or 5lb, or perhaps natural fibers, like wool, cotton, or horsehair, then cover it and done.
At the end of the day, it is all about quality, that doesnt mean a 10 or $20K mattress either. You can get a great quality mattress from many of the trusted members of TMU from under 1k to 6 or $7k and between. It will take a bit of time and patience. Remember this is not a race, it is your back, body, neck and piece of mind. Take your time, try a few, take a breath, come back the next day and see if you are just as excited as the day or week prior.
Hopefully,
you will find something that is a perfect match!
All the best,
Norm
1 Like
Really appreciate your research. May i ask what you ultimately purchased? Tia
1 Like
I ended up with the Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe. It was between that and a Shifman Chagall at the time, there was an Aireloom I liked, but didnt like the perimeter foam encased coils. Long story, but I was jonesing to try the BB based on the specs without even trying it. It is really great too!
You can become fatigued after trying too many mattresses. You can always come back another day when you are fresh.
John