Hi cfralick,
I understand the bed set is how hotels make beds feel better. That said, do you recommend a mattress topper?
Mattress toppers can add an additional layer of comfort to a mattress IF the mattress is in good condition and if it did not start developing sagging or soft spots (virtual impressions) which can result in the loss of comfort and support and the need to replace the mattress. Adding a latex topper with a temperature-neutral fabric will help with the temperature regulation you need and this solution is less expensive than replacing the entire mattress. Before choosing a toper as a solution to fix your issues I’d consider the following:
Adding a topper to memory foam that can increase airflow and cooling though can also present some challenges though because it will reduce the amount of heat reaching the memory foam which can make the memory foam firmer … especially if it is more temperature sensitive like the Tempurpedic. The topper guidelines in post #2 here and the other posts it links to can help you make the best possible topper choice. It also links to sources for memory foam, latex, polyfoam, and wool toppers.
- I’d try to determine if the mattress did not already start developing the soft spots, and virtual impressions. You most likely will feel this as in the beginning it manifests as restless sleep, toss and turn in trying to find an adequate position, then over time pains and back pains will develop. These are among the many telling signs that your mattress reached the end of its useful life!
- Having a higher BMI also will cause any mattress to change its properties much sooner than for average BMI sleepers.
- Your mattress is already 15 years old and might need replacing in a few months/years down the road anyway. Does it make sense to find a temporary fix?
With sleeping hot, the materials, layers, and components of a sleeping system that are closer to the skin will have a bigger effect on airflow, moisture transport, and temperature regulation than materials, layers, and components that are further away from the skin. There are quite a few tradeoffs involved between how breathable a topper is … and how much they will affect the feel of the mattress, the importance of natural materials, and of course cost.
I am all for a mattress testing trip, but am concerned with my options here in Cincinnati.
By mattress testing trip, do you mean that we should go to these stores and find what feels good, then determine the materials and look for one of the trusted members who matches closely?
Exactly! Since you aren’t really sure of what mattress you might like or find compatible, testing out different types and styles (all-latex, hybrid, innerspring euro top, pillow top, etc) will give you additional clues and data points on how different materials feel or mattress types perform for you. … I’d take some notes as sensations are fresh in your mind. This test is informative and you don’t necessarily need to get all the specs of a mattress. Once you settle on this you need to test only the models for which you can find Mattress Specifications You Need To Know to compare them to the Mattress Durability Guidelines. With a higher BMI this is even more important as no mattress would last as long. If you like all-latex then things are more simple as latex is the most durable material and… you won’t really need to find much more than if the comfort layer is below 24ILD (anything below that for higher BMIs will breakdown fast)
Usually, the outlets that are selling major brands are overpricing them (even if they claim sales) You can get a better quality/value for a similar mattress from the smaller manufacturers. See how far you can go with testing and if you have any major revelations and we’ll take it from there as now you have too many variables to work with and may be counterproductive to cram all the info in another long post with if-then scenarios.
Where I am going with this is that once you have data and clues, you can reach directly to a mattress maker or experienced retailer (and not just a sales agent that does not have enough in-depth knowledge to guide you). If you don’t have anything worthwhile in your area you may want to consider this TMU directory of companies that sell online and have been vetted to provide excellent guidance, quality, and value and that you can reach out to Trusted Members based on the information you provide them. With decades of experience in the mattress industry in they’d be able to approximate something you liked during your testing. You have a very generous budget and should be able to find a quality mattress that has the best chance to be a good fit for both you and your wife.
All in good time, first steps first.
Phoenix