Hi handsoap,
[quote]Select Foam Regalis
www.selectfoam.com/cat-regalis-luxe-coolmax.html
Pros: excellent layers, high density
Cons: might be too soft & cause hammocking. no real way to know…
Thoughts: Right now, this seems like the #1 bed for me, but I’m still worried about hammocking.
Select Form Conform - SELECT–Conform Supreme 12"
www.selectfoam.com/cat-conform-supreme-12.html
Pros: Firmer, less expensive.
Cons: may be too firm, lower density, less layers
Thoughts: I could add a topper if this was too firm. This appears to be the safest bet
EDIT #2: http://www.selectfoam.com/conform-elite.html
Here’s another bed, I missed… the Conform Elite.
The conform elite also seems to have some great layers, and I like that the 7lb density top layer is only 1." This seems to lend itself well to the firm, but not too firm category. However, only 2" of 5.4lb underneath may not be enough for my weight.[/quote]
The Regalis is comparable to the Tempurpedic Rhapsody Luxe Breeze and the Conform Supreme is comparable to the Tempurpedic Contour Supreme (ADDED: and the Conform Elite is comparable to the Tempurpedic Contour Elite) so you could test [strike]both[/strike] all three of the Tempurpedic mattresses locally to help you decide which one would have the best chance of success.
I would also keep in mind that one of the challenges of buying a firmer mattress and then adding a topper when you can’t test the mattress/topper combination in person is that choosing a suitable topper that is a good combination for you and the mattress you are using it on (different mattresses will affect the choice of topper that works best for a particular person) that can be almost as challenging as choosing a mattress that doesn’t need a topper in the first place because the only way to know whether the combination will be a good “match” for you will be based on your own personal experience (see post #2 here).
[strike]Both[/strike] All three of these mattresses would be closely comparable in terms of durability (although not in terms of firmness or “feel”) and there are no lower quality materials or weak links in [strike]either one[/strike] any of them that would compromise the durability of [strike]either one[/strike] any one of them relative to your weight range.
[quote]Ultimate Dreams Eurtop Latex. I would choose one on the firmer end.
www.dreamfoambedding.com/product/ultimat...otop-latex-mattress/
Pros: Comfort Layer is exchangeable, Price, great reputation
Cons: unknown support layer density, I’ve never tested latex.
Thoughts: This again feels like a safe option. I could get a firmer option here and test it out and either add a memory foam topper that is slightly softer, or exchange the top layer. [/quote]
The density of the support core in the Ultimate Dreams Eurotop latex is listed on their site. 2.0 lb polyfoam which along with the latex comfort layers are high quality materials that would certainly be suitable for your weight range in terms of durability.
There is also more about the differences between latex and memory foam in post #2 here but the most reliable way to know which type of material or mattresses you tend to prefer in general would be based on your own local testing.
[quote]Sleep Science Escape 14.5"
www.costco.com/Escape-14.5"-Luxury-Mem...oduct.100006212.html
Pros: very thick, strong support layers, excellent return policy
Cons: while this is a medium firm, I’m concerned about the “very plush top.” This could surely lead to hammocking. Materials may not be as dense as listed, and compression all the way from China could hurt durability
Thoughts: My biggest enticement here is the HD materials and the option to return. I live very close to a Costco should any problems arise. [/quote]
My comments about this option are in my previous reply.
My comments about buying a mattress that you can’t test in person (or where you can’t test a comparable “facsimile”) are also in my previous replies.
[quote]Is there a way to generalize a “safest bet” amongst these for an overweight stomach sleeper? I understand there is no “one best mattress,” however I feel given the transparency about these materials, we should be able to narrow one that may be better.
Could we rank these? From “safest” to least “least safest” approximations? [/quote]
While it’s certainly possible to assess a mattress in terms of durability based on the type and quality/density of the materials inside it … the quality/density of a material has nothing to do with it’s firmness or “feel” or whether it would be a good match for you in terms of PPP … only how long it is likely to maintain it’s original properties without the materials softening or breaking down. Again … the only way to know with any certainty whether any mattress will be a good “match” for you in terms of “comfort” and PPP and the “risk” involved in purchasing it will be based on your own careful testing or your personal experience. This is why the knowledge, experience, and guidance of an online retailer or manufacturer and their return/exchange policy can be a much more important part of the “value” of an online mattress purchase.
You are certainly looking at some good quality/value choices but once you have narrowed down your options to a list of finalists that are all choices between “good and good” and none of them have any lower quality materials or “weak links” in their design and if there are no clear winners between them (which is usually a good indication that you have done some very good research) then you are in the fortunate position that any of them would likely be a suitable choice and post #2 here can help you make a final choice based on your local testing or mattresses you have slept well on, your more detailed conversations with each of them, your confidence about PPP and the suitability of each one, their prices, your preferences for different types of materials, the options you have after a purchase to fine tune the mattress or exchange or return the mattress or individual layers, any additional extras that are part of each purchase, and on “informed best judgement” based on all the other objective, subjective, and intangible parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
Phoenix
NOTE ADDED: Because of ongoing customer service issues and delays Select Foam’s membership has been terminated and I would read the warning here before considering them.