Recommendation?

[phoenix]

Hi VAsleeper,

The first place I would start is post #1 here which will give you the basic information, steps, and guidelines that will help you choose the mattress that best meets your criteria … and perhaps more importantly … help you exclude most of your worst choices. As you will see … the goal of the site is not to tell you what to choose but to help you with how to make the best choices and how to connect with the manufacturers and retailers that can provide you with the quality, value service, knowledge, and experience to help you make the best choices for you.

I have an inordinately large curve between my glutes and my back, so one of the things I’m looking for is a mattress that will conform very well to my body and sink into areas like gap, thus reducing pressure. Based on the research I’ve done thus far, it seems like I should be looking for a memory foam mattress that has a density of 5lbs+. Is that correct or should I be looking for something else?

There is no one material that is inherently better for back issues or any other medical issues than another and the materials you choose are really a matter of preference and what your personal experience suggests works best for you. They each have their pros and cons and the “best” mattress for you is the one that provides you with the best PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences) regardless of the materials or components inside it. Along with this … the quality of the materials, no matter which type you choose, will have the biggest effect on the durability of the mattress (especially the materials in the upper layers of the mattress) and how long it keeps it’s original properties and performance. Post #2 here and post #5 here may also help you identify in general terms what is the “best” mattress for you.

The DC area is not the best in the country in terms of the selection of high quality and value mattresses available but the better options and possibilities I’m aware of in the general area are listed in post #2 here.

If you do choose to go in an online direction (and as you will read in the first link I posted I would suggest some local testing first so you are familiar with various materials and mattress designs) the manufacturers that are members of this site and sell great quality and value mattresses online are listed in post #21 here. They include a very wide range of different designs and options that would be suitable for almost any budget. Your budget is certainly high enough to purchase a high quality and value mattress.

If after your local testing you decide that memory foam is your preference … some of the better online memory foam manufacturers or retailers I know of are listed in post #12 here.

Hope this helps

Phoenix