Mattresses that are configured for each side

[phoenix]

Hi thomask75,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

I have been considering the My Green Mattress and the Avocado with a topper, but I have rethought that after reading posts and replies on you website due to our weight. Possible problems with coils breaking down to quickly. Another potential problem would be the 3-5" of latex above the inner springs.

The choice of materials and components is a personal preference but it’s important to make sure you choose a durable version of whatever materials you prefer for a higher BMI. Latex (you can read more about the different types in post #6 here ), 5 lb or higher memory foam, 2 lb or higher polyfoam, and stronger innersprings with more steel or in the case of lower coil counts with lower gauge springs (around 13 gauge or lower) are all among some of the more durable materials and components that can work well for higher weight ranges. I would make sure that any lower quality foams are less than around an inch or so in a quilting layer because more than that can become the weak link in a mattress … especially for someone that is heavier. I would have no concern with using an innerspring unit for the support core (as long as it was a stronger unit) or 3" - 5" of latex above a spring unit (as long as there wasn’t an abundance of lower ILD latex being used).

The same overall guidelines apply with higher weights though that PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) along with using high quality durable materials that will maintain their feel and performance for longer periods of time are the way to make the best choices. Heavier people in general will need firmer and thicker comfort layers and firmer support layers than those who are lighter and because no materials will last as long with much higher weights the quality and durability of the materials and components is even more important than normal. I wouldn’t “rule out” any types of mattress and base your choices on your own personal testing. Post #3 here has more information and suggestions about heavier weights that is worth reading.

I started looking Foam Sweet Foam, Plush Beds and SleepEz. So far, I have been leaning towards the SleepEz because of the customized layers for each side of the bed, two different sized people with different sleeping habits. We are thinking about 13" Organic Select. I like your thoughts about the multiple layer beds and not breaking down as quickly. The SleepEz gives us the option of changing layers if our preferences change or one layer starts to breakdown, another added bonus.

All three of the companies you mentioned use higher quality materials. SleepEZ and Foam Sweet Foam are both members of this site, which means that I think very highly of them and that I believe that they compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, knowledge, and transparency. They are extremely knowledgeable about latex and different configurations, and I would not hesitate to recommend them for advice about higher BMI configurations.

We have moved towards a multiple layer bed, but we had such good luck with a 9" single layer that I would consider that again, too. I like the organic latex, but wouldn’t be against a blended latex base layer(s). I am a big fan of wool in the topper for the temperature regulation, but its not must.

If your old mattress was indeed all-latex and 9" thick, it would have used multiple layers (perhaps laminated together), as latex is at its thickest poured in 6" molds. Or perhaps you mean “single layer” as far as not being split on the left and right side. There’s certainly nothing wrong with not splitting a new mattress on the left and right side if both of you can agree upon a similar range of comfort. And many people do enjoy wool being quilted in the mattress covering for both comfort and breathability.

I’m very impressed with your site and the fact that you don’t let just any manufacturer join. You are holding them to a standard. We have a budget of $2000-3000 since we hope that it will last for a long time. I paid around $1700 for each of the other two beds and the Natura lasted 4 times longer than the Englander.

You can see a bit more about the values of the site here. Membership here is very limited and by invitation only. There certainly are other vendors in the industry that offer good products and good value, but I would estimate that very few, maybe 5-10%, of the industry would begin to objective qualify for membership here, and the site’s main focus is upon providing objective, detailed information about mattresses.

As far as other options, you could start by looking at some of the other site members who offer latex systems in post #21 here or in the membership list here. Their detailed knowledge of their mattresses and how they fit with different body types and sleeping positions along with your feedback from local testing, a customer base of many people that they can use as reference points, and any exchange, return, or any options they have available to customize a mattress after a purchase can help lower the risk of an online purchase.

I would suggest for your next step a detailed phone conversation with any of the knowledgeable and experienced retailers or manufacturers you’re considering, and they can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and “feel” of the materials they are using to best fit your specific needs.

I’ll be interested in learning about your progress.

Phoenix