Questions about Dreamfoam, Ikea Mattresses and Frames, Addable

[phoenix]

Hi The Riddler,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

I first want to thank you for the plethora of great information on this website. I appreciate your expertise and helping people to make informed decisions without telling them how to decide.

You’re welcome and thank you for the compliment.

I recently purchased (prior to finding this website) a Dreamfoam Bedding Arctic Dreams 8" King Size for my wife and I. While it is very comfortable compared to what we were sleeping on ( a 9 year old cheap $300 queen sized spring mattress) we will be returning it because it seems “misshapen” when we lay on it whether it is on the floor or on a suitable bedframe. We are on a tight budget which is why I only bought a $300 king mattress!

I’m sorry your Arctic Dreams isn’t working out well for you . But you did have the foresight to choose a product with a good trial period.

What do you mean by “misshapen”? Do you mean it has a body impression that is excessive? The Arctic Dreams does represent one of the better values in budget-priced mattresses, but there will be tradeoffs in durability with lower density foams, especially if you are in a higher BMI.

I like Dreamfoam as a company and would consider getting a replacement in either 10" or 8 “-I am hesitant due to the shape issue and concerned about longevity given that I have a higher BMI of 32 and the foam base of the Arctic Dreams lineup is convoluted and only 1.5 lbs/cuft.
Is my hesitancy warranted? I ask because via chat they said for example a 10” Arctic Dreams should be fine for be even if I were 250lbs (I am only 220 and going down).

First off, congratulations on your weight loss! :cheer:

A higher BMI presents special challenges and generally requires firmer materials (in the support layers especially). This could be firmer latex or innersprings (the type of support component would be a personal preference and in the right design either could be suitable) or even a zoned construction. 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.

The key will be finding componentry that will be of appropriate quality for your specific situation, which will then give you the best chance at have a successful comfort life, so I would always make sure that you find out the information listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components. Those in a higher BMI range want to be especially prudent in the choice of their components. For those in a higher BMI range, there is more information about selecting a mattress in the durability guidelines here. Specifically, if your BMI is 30 or higher:

Higher BMI ranges will need more durable materials and components in a mattress and in a BMI range of 30 or higher I would include any 1.8 lb polyfoam or 4 lb memory foam as a “lower quality/density” material (relative to a higher BMI only) and minimize their use to a total of “about an inch or so or less” in the mattress.

Polyurethane foam: If your mattress is one sided then I would look for 2.0 lb per cubic foot density or higher. If the mattress is two sided then I would use a minimum density of 1.8 lbs per cubic foot or higher.

Memory foam (or gel memory foam): If your mattress is one sided then I would make sure that any memory foam is at least 5 lb per cubic foot. If the mattress is two sided then I would use a minimum density of 4 lbs per cubic foot.

Ideally, if you were going to stay within the Dramfoam lineup, you might wish to consider one of their other items using at least the 1.8 lb density foam base, if your budget allows.

That leads me to Ikea. I have been reading through this website alot over the past few days about the durability of materials and “weak links” of certain mattresses.

Great job – and thank you! I probably linked again to a few of the very articles you’ve already reviewed.

The Morgedal. Says it has 2.2 lbs/cuft polyurethane foam on “Part 5” and and 1.7 lbs/cuft on “Part 4”. Am I correct in assuming that they are referring top to bottom?

I can’t tell from their descriptions, and they are notorious for being incomplete/confusing in this area. They “usually” list from top to bottom.

Also, I realize 1.7 is slightly less than the 1.8 on the lbs/cuft recommendation. Is that enough to make much of a difference? What about between 1.7 compared to 2.0 lbs/cuft (for those of us with higher BMI?)

I can’t speak to their tolerances for their foam densities. Some manufacturers will have poly foam that on average specs out at 1.7 and rate it conservatively at 1.55 (1.5 or 1.8 are common divisions in polyfoam steps), and others will have a foam that specs out at 1.6 and round it up to the next step at 1.8. There are “buckets” that the density falls within. The higher the density, the more durable. Obviously 1.7 would be better than 1.5 but similar to 1.8, but not as good as 2.0.

Also, do we know the difference in specs between their medium-firm and firm options?

No that is not listed. They may be using the same density but just changing the ILD of one of the foams.

The Matrand Latex. Now I am intrigued…is the Latex still that massively thick(relatively) layer that I saw in the cutoff photos?

That appears to be a thick polyfoam base with some synthetic latex on top. There are no thicknesses listed.

Considering this assumed thick layer of latex, would the 1.7lb/cuft base be alright? Would having more latex lend to greater durability? Would it make any sense to put a memory foam topper over latex?

You can see my recommendations linked above for densities for higher BMIs. 1.7 lb would generally be more durable than 1.5 lb. Latex would generally be a more durable product than polyfoam. Placing a memory foam topper over any mattress material would be a personal comfort choice to alter the surface plushness, and there would be no reason to avoid doing this over a mattress using latex if you so desired.

Another question: will a roughly 7" mattress be less durable due to its relative thinness even though it will inevitably be firmer than most other mattresses?

In a thinner mattress, especially with a higher BMI, you’d want the highest amount of the most durable materials as possible, as people with a higher BMI generally require thicker materials in the comfort layers and support layers.

Also, I currently have a Zinus 16" Smartbase frame that I may return too after reading that slats might be preferable. Do you have any input about if this is necessary? Are Ikea slats and beds durable? I cannot find much information.

There is more information about appropriate foundations here in the foundation thread. I too would have a concern for the eventual potential for sagging of the wires on your current frame. I’d tell you to consider a stronger flat slat network versus the bowed Lonset slat system offered by Ikea.

As a side note, I was looking into your member companies and was really intrigued by the Addable mattress since the materials seem great. However I am a bit frustrated because I cannot seem to pass their “quiz” about it that mattress would be for me or not. You mentioned in your comments about that company you would caution anyone over the low 200lbs to buy one of their mattresses ( I am 5’10" and 220 lbs). Why is that?

When considering any online purchase, I always recommend a phone conversation directly with the manufacturer, as you’ll be best able to acquire the most accurate information in a timely and personalized manner. Addable, like Dreamfoam, is a member 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 and I trust the advice that they provide.

Phoenix