Hello
I appreciate this forum and your hard work. We are in desperate need of a new mattress (our exactly 8 year old expensive Memory Foam mattress is DONE! Terribly uncomfortable! Husband has arm pain every morning, I have leg and back pain)… and are willing to spend for a good quality, durable and comfortable mattress. We’re in our 50s and are both mostly side sleepers but sometimes back. His BMI is 28. Mine is 20 with a bony frame.
I have read as much as I possibly can here, then followed all the steps for Mattress shopping at Jamestown Mattress in Rochester, NY. We both found Majestic Dream Medium (Queen) to be most comfortable. I requested all specs and received this from Jim Pullan:
Majestic Dream – From the bottom up
1" – 1.5 lb. – 60 ILD Polyurethane Foam – Keystone Foam
Quantum Edge Pocket Coil – Leggett & Platt - Quantum Edge® Elite - L&P Bedding Group
1" – 1.5 lb. – 15 ILD Polyurethane Foam – Keystone Foam
3" D85 Medium 100% Monozone Natural Latex – Arpico - Sri Lanka natural latex mattress, Sri Lanka natural latex mattress manufacturers, Sri Lanka natural latex mattress suppliers and companies
Quilted Top Panel: 100% Polyester Circular Stretch Knit Fabric, 1 ½" 1.8 lb. – 20 ILD Polyurethane Foam & ½" 1.5 lb. – 15 ILD Polyurethane Foam
I just don’t know if that is a quality mattress or not. Also, I’m worried that the “comfort layer” is going to break down quickly and we’re going to end up in the same boat quickly. I would appreciate any help/insight .
Thank you !
Hi moneekw.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum. 
You’re asking all the right questions. Because you and your partner both fall on the lower end of the BMI spectrum, you have the benefit of seeing slower material breakdown and you can generally get away with a lower quality mattress without much issue.
That said, I reviewed the specs you shared and this is a perfectly durable mattress. Since the comfort layer is latex, you also don’t have to worry much about premature breakdown as latex has an incredibly long life when taken care of (sometimes up to 20 years).
I hope this helps!
NikkiTMU
I appreciate your reply, Nikki.
Should I be concerned about the layers of polyurethane foam? Though we are not heavy, I worry about those layers breaking down quickly. We are willing to invest in a good mattress but, quite frankly, I’m afraid of being ripped off.
This Majestic Dream mattress is $1800. We plan to put it on our current Leggett and Platt adjustable base, which Jamestown said is fine.
Thanks again for your time.
Hi moneekw.
The polyfoam layers would be a bigger concern if they were closer to the body. However, as those layers are further from the body, they’re going to be less prone to premature breakdown.
NikkiTMU
There are two layers of polyurethane foam at the very top.
*Quilted Top Panel: 100% Polyester Circular Stretch Knit Fabric
1 ½" 1.8 lb. – 20 ILD Polyurethane Foam & ½" 1.5 lb. – 15 ILD Polyurethane Foam.
I think I recall reading here that polyurethane foam shouldn’t even be in a mattress. I’ll go back and look.
Does the quality of the mattress match the price of $1800?
Hi moneekw.
Polyfoam is a very common component in mattresses. If a mattress is one-sided then we would recommend that the density of any polyfoam is at least 1.8 lb per cubic foot or higher with the exception of low BMI - in which case a minimum foam density of 1.5 lbs per cubic foot is also acceptable.
The price seems competitive, if not on the low end. That said, price is incredibly subjective and takes in everything from the price of components, the margin needed to make a profit, shipping costs, etc.
Our thought on mattresses in the 1500 - 2000 range:
In this range you will begin to see more very high quality mattresses that use the most costly materials or with special features designed to help with more difficult comfort and support issues. For example you will more commonly see zoned comfort layers and zoned support layers, component mattresses with side by side zoning for two sleepers with different needs and preferences, innersprings with special features or higher quality comfort materials, high quality ticking and quilting (sometimes organic), or thicker mattresses with more layers that are all high quality and durable materials. Specialized fabrics or quilting layers that are more breathable or temperature-regulating are also more common here as are construction methods and designs that can be more customized or can improve the overall quality, comfort, and durability of your mattress. This budget range includes some very high quality/value mattresses. As with all the higher budget ranges though, be very careful because there are also many mattresses in this range that should be in a range one or two levels lower but have a “story” attached to them to justify their price or that contain lower quality materials that are a weak link in the design in terms of durability.
NikkiTMU
Hello, Nikki. Again, I very much appreciate your time. I have to say, I’m even more confused now. )
I have r re-read the information below and, (unless I’m totally misunderstanding,), it states that although 1.5 lb polyurethane foam is used in mattresses from low-end to high-end, it is NOT good quality and durable. Regardless of the BMI of the people sleeping on it.
Am I misunderstanding something here?
“High Density polyfoam (HD): This is polyfoam that has a foam density of 1.5 lbs per cubic foot or more although 1.8 lbs is a better guideline and would generally considered to be the bottom end of high quality polyfoam. It is sometimes difficult to find this in higher densities in a softer version but it is quite commonly used in the comfort layers of a mattress. It will last longer than the lower density conventional polyfoam, has better compression and performance qualities, it is suitable for use in a comfort layer when used reasonably (layers that are not too thick) or with slightly firmer foam. The lower end of the scale especially (1.5 lbs) should be used in thinner layers or in a two-sided mattress to improve durability and reduce the effect of foam softening while in a one-sided construction I would use 1.8 lb density (or preferably 2 lbs with higher weights) as a minimum. When purchased from a local manufacturer who is transparent about the density of the polyfoam and construction methods they use, this grade of polyfoam in slightly firmer versions can be a good comfort layer choice in relatively low to mid-priced mattresses and still provide good durability. In very thick and soft versions or when the construction methods do not support durability or are unknown it should be used very sparingly or at least there should not be an expectation of good durability attached to it.”
Hi Moneekw.
I would look at it as it’s not the greatest material, and for many people 1.5 density would see breakdown much more quickly than one would hope from an expensive purchase such as a mattress.
[quote]it is NOT good quality and durable. Regardless of the BMI of the people sleeping on it.
Am I misunderstanding something here?[/quote]
Nope, that makes sense. However, when you have someone who weighs, for example, 200 lbs sleeping on a mattress with polyfoam, they’re going to see a breakdown in that material considerably sooner than someone at 90 lbs. Either way, the material will see compression and eventual wear and tear but the difference between someone whose BMI is 20 and someone whose BMI is 30 could mean many more years in difference before the smaller person sees that material break down as opposed to the larger person.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to avoid the material or that particular density of the material all together, though.
This is why all-latex or all-memory foam configurations are popular (as well as latex hybrids). As consumers become more educated, they find they want to avoid certain components for lifespan of their mattress.
NikkiTMU