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[phoenix]

Hi zebo42,

[quote]Let me see if you agree with this

1. check out the bed for 10 minutes or more to find good top for pressure points
2. check out support layers by having spouse take a look at spinal alignment
3. see what materials to make sure they are not below average?[/quote]

The tutorial post includes the testing guidelines I would suggest following (in step 4) to test a mattress for PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences). Testing for pressure relief is easier because it’s more obvious when you spend some time on a mattress whether you are feeling any pressure points but testing for alignment is a little more difficult and generally involves a combination of visual cues and listening to what your body is telling you about any tension or stress you feel in your lower back in particular once you have spent enough time on a mattress for your muscles to completely “let go” and relax.

The quality guidelines I would suggest to make sure that there aren’t any weak links in a mattress are in post #4 here.

There is also more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that can also help you make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses but making the best mattress choice really boils down to …

1. Testing for suitability and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences)
2. Checking to make sure there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress you are considering
3. Comparing your finalists for “value” based on all the other parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

In many cases the knowledge and experience of the retailer or manufacturer you are dealing with can be one of the most important parts of a successful mattress purchase because they will already know what you would otherwise need to learn. Too little information can lead to some poor choices but too much information can also lead to information overwhelm or “paralysis by analysis” and can lead to some very poor choices as well which is why I suggest reading the information like you would a good book and not “studying” it like you would a school textbook because you really only need to know “just enough” to be able to know when you are talking with “mattress people” that have your legitimate best interests at heart and when you are talking with “marketing people” that are more interested in the “stories” they have learned and in selling you anything you are willing to buy than they are in helping you to make the most suitable, most durable, and “best value” choice.

Adding to my confusion is the article you have, which others mentioned, that consumers seem to be very poor at picking a good mattress for them based on a visit at the store. I guess your points in the preceding paragraph are designed to addres this.

Yes … this is mainly because so many people tend to choose a mattress based on more subjective considerations or based on the “showroom feel” of a mattress rather than more careful testing that is meant to be more predictive of their actual sleeping experience and can help identify what they really need rather than what they think they need.

As to my specifics, my wife and I seem to like different things - she likes a less firm bed, and i lide a firmer one. Since she is much lighter, some of the beds I seemed to like, she found she “hit” the support layers and was uncomfortable. We both find we like pillow top but it seems like many find that is a recipe for disaster as the initial comfort can become unpleasant after a couple years of wear. Also I am not sure how many people are really side or stomach or bach sleepers - I wonder how much research has been done in this regard. I think I am a stomach sleeper, yet the wife says I am on my side when she wakes up. She is a side sleeper, she says, yet I see she is usually on her back. over 8 hours - who knows without a video!

The first part of post #2 here has some information that can be helpful for couples that have different needs and preferences for a mattress.

Most people are combination sleepers and spend time in several positions over the course of the night but most people appear to have a fairly close idea of their most common sleep positions (see here).

I live in Los Angeles. So far leaning to Tempurapedic. Seems like Costco has one we like at a considerably reduced price than the regular retain price, unless of course it is not same bed (Cloud Supreme). I also discovered your recommendation, if that is the correct word, for FLexus, which I think we will visit. I am not sure Flexus has much variation however, aren’t they primarily latex . others in the LA area thatnearby

I’m not sure if you’ve seen this but the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the Greater Los Angeles area are listed in post #2 here. Flexus would certainly be well worth considering because they have some great quality/value mattresses but as you mentioned they focus more on latex or two sided innerspring mattresses than they do on memory foam mattresses so if you are committed to memory foam then they may not be the best option.

You can also see my thoughts about buying from Costco in post #4 here.

I guess my interest is getting a good quality recommendation for the materials and then it is up to me to find right PPP.

The choice of materials is a preference choice not a “better/worse” choice and the only reliable way to now which types of materials or mattresses you tend to prefer is based on your own testing and personal experience. Regardless of which type of materials you tend to prefer though … I would make sure that there isn’t more than “about an inch or so” of lower quality materials or any obvious weak links in the mattress so that you don’t end up choosing a mattress that feels great and is a good match for you in terms of PPP in the showroom or when it is relatively new only to find that foam softening or breakdown leads to the loss of comfort and support much too quickly after a purchase and you need to replace the mattress much too quickly relative to the price you paid.

Phoenix