I have tried several different foam and hybrid beds-in-a-box as well as traditional innerspring mattresses, of varying firmness, over the last few years, and ended up returning all of them, even after thinking I had done tons of research about the right type of bed for me. I sleep on my side and also have some pain/spine issues that make me a very picky sleeper and most comfortable on a very soft yet bouncy bed. I am actually MOST comfortable on couch cushions, and right now am sleeping (just sort of comfortably) on a very old “futon” that is actually all layered egg-crate type traditional poly foam (it was made by Otis Bedding). I have also slept comfortably on older innerspring mattresses, maybe because they are worn out/softened.
All of that to say - I think I am looking for a mattress that is made of traditional (conventional? I don’t know the right term) poly foam, the kind that couches are made of, that is more bouncy and feels different than memory or gel foams. This seems harder to find than mattresses made with newer types of foam, I have only found a couple of smaller mail order companies and they basically sell big blocks of foam in a mattress shape, which I might be fine with, but they are somewhat less transparent about things like safety or “greenness” of materials used. I am wondering if there is something out there I have missed. I have a feeling one suggestion may be latex, which I am not opposed to, but seems to be much more expensive (especially if customized) and also hard to judge with no in person experience (I am not able to shop in person right now of course). Any suggestions? Or related posts on here I haven’t found?
Good to have you here on the TMU forum and thanks for your question .
I totally get where you are coming from in regards to couch cushions, I have enjoyed a good couch nap many times, lol. Polyurethane, the most commonly used foam in couch cushions is also used in convoluted foam production, otherwise known as “egg crate” foam. Polyfoam, whose use is not only widespread in furniture manufacturing but too is the most common type of foam used in mattress components. You may find Phoenix’s article "Mattress comfort layers-Polyurethane Foam"interesting for learning more about its qualities and properties. Also worth reading for anyone researching a new mattress purchase is Phoenix’s “Five Steps to Your Perfect Mattress”, an overview to mattress store visits which I highly recommend only after conditions are safe in your area.
If the mattress-shaped foam description doesn’t mention “green” certifications, it’s safe to assume it hasn’t been through those processes. While the amount of testing and sustainability importance varies with individual preference, CertiPur-US certification is desirable at a minimum for polyfoam . Earlier in your post, you mention the different mattresses that you have tried unsuccessfully and returned. Aside from the sofa/ futon scene that is working for you, what brands of innerspring mattresses have you rested well on in the past? Can you briefly describe your BMI, what pain/ spine issues you’re dealing with and what sort of sleeping environment you have? It sounds as though you have a good understanding of both your personal comfort and support preferences in a mattress; you may also find our article “The Basic Functions of a Mattress” useful for translating those preferences into terms that will help guide conversations with an expert and product selection when you’re ready.
You will find many fans of latex here on the forum, both of Dunlop and Talalay foams, so you should definitely get up to speed on those with our article “Mattress Comfort Layers-Latex Foam”. Some of the more popular aspects of latex is how its natural breathability promotes temperature regulation for those who “sleep hot”, as well as its durability and bounciness. Many of the TMU trusted membershave deep knowledge and experience with latex components, you may want to reach out to them for their thoughts as well. Hope this helps…
Thank you so much for this reply! I will check out all of those links. I don’t know if this will be seen since I am months late getting back here but - I am a 5’7’’ 135ish lb woman (so my BMI is about 21 and I am on the thinner side) and have somewhat prominent/bony hips and shoulders. I sleep on my side. I have pain issues related to an old neck and jaw injury and my entire spine goes out of alignment easily - this also means that it is better for me if a bed is on the bouncier side so that there is not a lot of force/effort involved in rolling over and moving around in bed (memory foam seems not the best for this but I am willing to change my mind). I unfortunately am not sure about brands as I have mostly been comfortable on older mattresses or just did not check the brands at the time. My working theory is that I tend to be more comfortable on beds where the way my body sinks in to the mattress is “general” - as in, the whole area around a pressure point like a hip bone sinks in - rather than how memory foam type mattresses seem to work, where your pressure points are sort of “cupped” by the mattress. I don’t know if that makes sense, I do not have the vocabulary for this! Mail order mattresses that I have tried and not found comfortable include the Tuft&Needle, Nolah and the softest version of the Helix. I have also tried soft and medium padded but not plush innerspring mattresses from Mattress Firm, but am forgetting the brands at the moment. I would love any suggestions or direction at all, thank you!!
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