Plushbeds Botanical Bliss "12 vs. Foam Sweet Foam "13

[phoenix]

Hi scoaste.

Thanks, Phoenix. I didn’t have the specific IDL numbers so that helps.

I am glad I can help

Interesting that the IDL of the “medium” Natural Talalay is greater than “medium” Natural Dunlop (although only by 1) for the FSF mattress.

Although in the FSF mattress you are considering the ILD of the 3" Medium Talalay (27 ILD) layer is the practically the same ILD as the layer below it which is 3" Medium Dunlop (26 ILD), it is good to keep in mind that Dunlop and Talalay aren’t directly comparable in terms of firmness using only ILD numbers because there are several factors that can affect how soft or firm an individual layer (or a mattress) feels besides just the ILD of the material (see post #4 here) and Dunlop and Talalay that are the same thickness and ILD won’t feel the same in terms of their firmness for most people because they have a different response curve and compression modulus (how quickly a material becomes firmer as you sink into it more deeply). Not only that Talalay and Dunlop have a slightly different feel, with Talalay being “springier”, but the biggest difference is that Dunlop “firms up faster” than Talalay, as it is compressed more.

There is also more about the difference between Dunlop and Talalay inpost #7 here.

I certainly will get the advice of the salespeople before making a final purchase, but I am wary of relying on them too much as they are obviously biased. Of course someone could provide false testimony on their personal experiences too, but I’m looking for some authentic opinions.

One way to recognize the better retailers or manufacturers who are “mattress people” rather than “marketing people” is that once you start asking questions they will not only provide better answers but will also ask you better questions focused on finding out what you really need and prefer and offer their recommendations based on your answers rather than on "marketing stories ".

I certainly would give strong consideration to the advice of the manufacturer, as no one will have more experience with their products and materials and how they respond and fit different somatotypes, BMIs, sleeping styles, and particular needs. There’s a large difference between being promotional and marketing and “pushing” a product (of which I believe you are referencing about which you are a bit cynical), versus someone using their expertise to offer the layering combination that they feel will best suit your particular needs. This is advice that can only be accumulated through years of experience and product knowledge, and is not something to be acquired through “personal experiences” or “authentic opinions” of people who have purchased a product. Using “reviews” such as those would be the least reliable manner to choose a product, as these tend to be opinions rendered in the short-term by those unqualified to provide an educated analysis of a product, and these opinions can’t take into account the unknowns, variables and personal preferences involved in selecting a mattress for someone else, and whether or not someone else “liked” or “didn’t like” a mattress would tell you nothing about the quality of the product or applicability for yourself. That can be done only through objective analysis of the material within the product, your own personal testing, and in lieu of that, a detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable manufacturer who genuinely has your best interest at heart.

Even though you are considering two products that are using good quality and durable materials the final decision may not be always easy to make as it involves a combination of objective, subjective and also intangible personal factors. I would strongly suggest that you have a good conversation with each of the online manufacturers you are considering as this can play a big role in which direction you will be leaning. Another look at your finalists from the point of view of your "personal value equation"along with the expertise and recommendations from the conversation with each of the manufacturers would most likely give you enough clues to make an informed decision. The good news is that either way it would be difficult to make a mistake.

I should have mentioned that I’m a back and side sleeper, and on my current mattress wake often with lower back pain that I believe is more because of side sleeping than back. I toss & turn quite a lot too. My current mattress is a Nest Alexander Signature Soft.

The configuration and componentry in your previous Nest Alexander mattress

[Indent]1.5" Soft Quilted Cover
2" 4 lb. Gel Memory Foam
2" 4 lb. Visco Foam
3" SmartFlow Air Flow Foam
4" 1.8 Density Solid Edge Support Base Layer[/indent]
has a different feel and level of support altogether than the mattresses you are considering.

The lower back pain could be an indication of poor alignment due to sinking too deeply into the mattress with a construction that may not be as supportive. But of course this is a generalization and you would be the only one that can assess this with certainty through your careful testing of all the factors that may contribute to the back pain you are experiencing in the morning.

If you have any other more specific questions, I’ll do my best to answer them,

Phoenix