Hello! The information on this website has been invaluable - so much so that the two mattress sales persons I talked to in the stores I visited thought I was some sort of physical therapist mattress guru.
I have been stalking this site and multiple others to find the best king sized mattress around $1000. I poked around in stores and the one that has stood out to me in terms of aligning my spine and allowing my pressure points relief (if not just for the brief 10 minute lay down) was the Tempurpedic Cloud Supreme mattress. But at $3000 and not a foolproof money back guarantee I can’t (don’t want to) do it. So my question is where should I look to find a similar style mattress? It seemed to have good support with a very nice comfort layer. Allowed me to sink in where needed. It didn’t have very much information on the layers, however. Not even thicknesses.
The other mattresses i’ve been looking at are latex hybrids. Kiss mattress, Brooklyn Bedding were two of the top ones I was considering.
Background: I weigh 180lbs, sleep mostly on my side, and need pressure point relief (i.e. my wide hips need to sink in enough for my spine!). My partner weights 220lbs, flips between back and side, and in general likes a firmer mattress. I sleep pretty warm, so the pure memory foam concerns me a bit.
Any suggestions for other mattresses to look at that would suit our needs, or would perhaps be similar to the cloud supreme, would be greatly appreciated. I have overwhelmed myself more than once trying to make a decision so a little direction would be awesome!
Very well done! It’s sad to state, but most people who have spent just a few hours researching on this forum know more about mattresses than most of the salespeople that they’ll typically encounter.
The Tempurpedic Tempur-Cloud Supreme uses a poly core consisting of 5" of 2.0 lb. polyfoam, on top of which is placed 3" of 2.0 lb. polyfoam. Above this is 2.75" of 5.3 lb. Tempur memory foam, and this is topped by 1.2" of 4.1 lb. Tempur memory foam.
While Tempurpedic mattresses use good quality materials, they are in much higher (and mostly unjustifiable) budget ranges and for most people they certainly wouldn’t be in the best “value” range compared to many other smaller manufacturers that use similar (or in some cases better) quality materials that are in much lower budget ranges. You can read more about Tempurpedic in general in posts #1 and #2 here.
There is more information in post #9 here about the different ways that one mattress can “match” or “approximate” another one. Every layer and component in a mattress (including the cover and any quilting materials) will affect the feel and performance of every other layer and component and the mattress “as a whole” so unless you are able to find another mattress that uses exactly the same type of materials, components, cover and quilting, layer thicknesses, layer firmnesses, and overall design (which would be fairly unlikely) then there really isn’t a reliable way to match one mattress to another one in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your Personal preferences) based on the specifications of the mattresses (even assuming that you can find out all the specifications you would need for both mattresses you are comparing in the first place).
At 220 pounds, approaching a higher BMI 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 BMIs 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. Higher BMI 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 higher BMIs that is worth reading.
While memory foam is the most insulating of the various foam types and tends to be the least breathable, it’s not really possible to quantify the sleeping temperature of a mattress for any particular person with any real accuracy because there are so many variables involved including the type of mattress protector and the sheets and bedding that you use (which in many cases can have just as significant an effect on sleeping temperature as the type of foam in a mattress) and on where you are in the “oven to iceberg” range and because there is no standardized testing for temperature regulation with different combinations of materials … there is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here that can help you choose the types of materials and components that are most likely to keep you in a comfortable temperature range.
The first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice … and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for).
Outside of PPP (which is the most important part of “value”), the next most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is durability which is all about how long you will sleep well on a mattress. This is the part of your research that you can’t see or “feel” and assessing the durability and useful life of a mattress depends on knowing the specifics of its construction and the type and quality of the materials inside it regardless of the name of the manufacturer on the label or how a mattress feels in a showroom or when it is relatively new so I would always make sure that you find out theinformation listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components to the durability guidelines here to make sure there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress that would be a cause for concern relative to the durability and useful life of a mattress before making any purchase.
While I can certainly help with “how” to choose … It’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for either a mattress, manufacturers/retailers, or combinations of materials or components because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, or PPP or how a mattress will “feel” to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
A good place to start your research would be to look online and use the experience and expertise of the members listed in post #21 here who are all very experienced and knowledgeable and specialize in providing the type of help and guidance on the phone that can help you make good choices. There are a wide range of memory foam and other options included in the choices there and I believe that all of them compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, and transparency. In addition to the online members of the site listed in the previous membership link … post #12 here has some of the better online memory foam options for those who are looking for a memory foam mattress.
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. These online retailers or manufacturers can also be a good “value reference” for local purchases to make sure that if you are paying a “premium” for a local purchase (in exchange for the kind of “in person” guidance, service, and value that comes with dealing with a local retailer that can help you make more “accurate” choices that you have tested in person) is not too high.
I know this is a bit of reading to do, but I think you’ve already covered some of it. Hopefully it gets you on the road to finding the style of memory foam mattress that suits your needs and budget.
Wow, thank you! The info about the Tempurpedic mattress layers is much appreciated. That will help me perhaps narrow down my choices a bit. I will do more digging - should I post questions on the “post #21 and #12” you reference?
I would post any potential questions you have in this thread, making it easier for both of us to refer back and maintain context, and it will also be more useful for those who peruse this thread in the future.
Okay, after reviewing some posts I have narrowed it to the Kiss mattress by Sleepez, and the OSO. Both seem to have the higher density for higher weight ranges. The special shoulder and hip “pockets” of the OSO intrigue me, as my shoulders are usually slightly uncomfortably “squished” and my arms do fall asleep at times. The thickness of the OSO is of slight concern for our weight ranges…should it be?
I really don’t know how to make this decision! I guess that’s why there is a sleep guarantee.
Both mattresses have the same amount of layerings above the support core, with the KISS having more “specialty” foams in those upper layers. The OSO will feel firmer generally than the KISS with the DreamCells under your leg area, and it should allow for more conformation with the DreamCells under your shoulder area. The quality of the foams would meet the minimums I would recommend. You are correct that sometimes people approaching a higher BMI do better with thicker layers in their product, but only your own careful personal testing will be able to tell if you like the feel of either of these products.
Both SleepEZ (KISS mattress) and Reverie (OSO mattress) are members here, which means that I think highly of them and their products and service. You are correct that each product has a good comfort guarantee (100 nights for the KISS mattress, 101 nights for the OSO), and your own testing is the only way to see if you have an affinity for any particular product, so when shopping online it is important to acquaint yourself with any potential return/exchange policy that any company offers just in case your purchase doesn’t turn out as well as you would have hoped.
I’ll look forward to any other questions you might have or any decision you make.
OK, I’ve slept on the KISS mattress for about a month now and I have noticed some things that I might not be able to rectify. The biggest problem is that I get HOT. I wake up sweating only in the areas that are touching either the mattress or the latex pillow that came with the mattress. I am concerned that this means memory foam/latex mattresses are out for me because, from what I read, latex is actually usually the cooler of the two materials. So if I sleep too hot for latex, i’m not going to do well on memory foam.
Any suggestions? Is this in general true?
Other than that it seems a bit firm for me, and I got the plush model. My hips sink in nicely, but my shoulders don’t seem to and my arms kind of fall asleep.
Any thoughts?
As you’re a warm sleeper, the only areas where I would expect you to sweat would be where you were in contact with your sleeping surface, as that is where you would be “insulated”. I don’t know what you’re using for your sheets and mattress pad/protector, and that is where I would begin analyzing, as in very general terms, the materials, layers, and components of a sleeping system that are closer to your skin will have a bigger effect on airflow, moisture transport, and temperature regulation than materials, layers, and components that are further away from your skin and softer mattresses will tend to be more “insulating” and for some people can sleep warmer than firmer versions of the same material.
As far as materials and heat in a mattress, I can’t comment better than what I did in one of my earlier replies to you in this thread: There is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here that can help you choose the types of materials and components that are most likely to keep you in a comfortable temperature range. There’s a lot of good information in that post about sheets, mattress protectors, natural fibers and temperature regulation.
The KISS mattress uses latex over memory foam over a polyfoam core, so while using very breathable material on top, and as you already mentioned you are a warm sleeper, it’s possible you may desire something using more resilient and breathable materials in all of your comfort layers (perhaps no memory foam) or using innersprings instead of a polyfoam core. But I would still address first what you’re using for your top-of-mattress products, as those can have a dramatic impact upon your sleeping “microclimate”. If you’re sleeping too warm on a product like this (Talalay latex is more breathable than memory foam), switching to a memory foam mattress would more than likely have you sleeping warmer than what you are right now. How much you “sink into” the mattress will also have an impact upon your sleeping temperature. Sinking in more to a mattress exposes less of your surface area for heat exchange and also insulates your body more.
While I can’t diagnose comfort issues via an online forum due to the myriad of variables involved (both personal and from the mattress), there is some information about the many different symptoms that people may experience on a mattress and some of the most common causes behind them in post #2 here that may be helpful. If you think you need more plushness with this particular mattress, you certainly could add some sort of a topper, and Talalay latex would be preferable (there are even some microcoil toppers now available), but the concern I would have would be you sinking in even more, which would further insulate you and could cause you to sleep even warmer. This is why I would first address your mattress pad/protector/sheets to see if you can find any issues there to help you sleep more comfortably. If you can address that and decide to keep this mattress, then you might wish to investigate a topper. But if this mattress unfortunately doesn’t work out for you as well as you would have hoped, you at least have a good trial policy and you can return it and you probably wouldn’t want to be purchasing toppers for a product that you may not be keeping.
From a distance, this is about the best I can do with your questions. I’ll be interested in learning about any top-of-mattress changes that you might be able to make and see if they have any impact upon your sleeping environment.
So I have about 3 weeks left in my 100 nights and I think I’m going to have to return it :/. I just sleep to hot. I’ve tried different sheets to see if it would be “cool enough” but it hasn’t helped completely. I am also not sure that it is the best choice regardless of the hot issue, as I still wake pretty sore. Honestly I don’t remember not waking sore so I’m not sure I can get there…
I might try the Saavta Luxury Firm but need to make sure it would be good for side sleepers and for people at the higher weight range.
Thanks for the update. I’m sorry that the KISS isn’t working out as well as you had hoped , but you were forward-looking enough to choose an item that has a good return policy. As we discussed previously, it may be that you prefer something that is a bit more resilient (not sinking in quite as much), or perhaps without any visco-elastic foam, and or maybe even using springs instead of polyfoam for a support core. Those are all things that can help (along with items I’ve previous linked to) with temperature issues.
FWIW, I also liked the feel of the Tempur Pedic Cloud Supreme (non Breeze) and found the Sealy Optimum Chill Vivienne Medium to be very close in feel. I tried both on different days at the same store at different ambient temperatures. I found the Sealy had the same feel on both days. I’m also a side sleeper and felt a little more on top of the mattress (which I liked) with just the pressure points sinking in and great support. They seem to have revamped the Optimum line as it’s on special now saying “Introductory pricing”. However, I’ve read about durability issues with the old line on another mattress reviews website.
While I do appreciate your taking the time to post here on the forum, I would be cautious about taking your opinion of a particular mattress and then applying that to what might be appropriate for someone else. There are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved in choosing a mattress for someone else to make specific suggestions based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or theory at a distance that can possible be more accurate than one’s own careful and objective testing (using the testing guidelines in the tutorial post) which is always the most reliable way to predict which mattress will be the best match for someone (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
You are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress, and in many if not most cases personal opinions/reviews can be more misleading than helpful because a mattress that would be a perfect choice for one person or even a larger group of people in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP may be completely unsuitable for someone else to sleep on (even if they are in a similar weight range).
In other words … reviews, “review” sites, or other people’s experiences in general won’t tell much if anything about the suitability, quality, durability, or “value” of a mattress for any particular person (see post #13 here).
I agree. I’ve read enough of your posts to consider that in my own quest .
I just thought it might be useful to the OP as that was his original question : [/color]
[color=black] I’ve tried both his reference mattress and the one I suggested to look at and found them fairly similar (slight difference in sinkage). They are both made by Tempur (which owns Sealy) and the Optimum Chill Vivienne is less costly.
I’m also looking to find a durable mattress that compares in feel (to the Sealy in my case) and also find myself leary of reviews. However, I do find that if the reviewer has a similar weight and sleeping position it usually provides further information to help me narrow down my options. [/color]
While Sealy and Tempurpedic are now Tempur-Sealy, these are different products using different foams.
[quote]
I’m also looking to find a durable mattress that compares in feel (to the Sealy in my case) and also find myself leary of reviews. However, I do find that if the reviewer has a similar weight and sleeping position it usually provides further information to help me narrow down my options.[/quote]
While many people do take reviews into account of people of similar weight and sleeping positions, I will always caution against this (not just for you but for the others coming across this thread in the future), as there are entirely too many variables involved, including such items as differences in somatotype, weight distribution, levels of strength and flexibility, pre-existing conditions, differences in tolerance and sensitivities, level of postural alignment and tolerance outside of such, amongst other things, to put “too much stock” into such similarities.
Well I scheduled my KISS mattress return and am going with the “new” BB Best mattress ever. I am going to select the Medium comfort level, as they said if I find it too hard they will send me a complimentary 2" topper that then changes to to be the exact same as the Soft comfort level. Which is exciting!
I’m sorry your KISS mattress didn’t work out for you , but at least you did have the foresight to choose something with a good return policy. I’ll be interested in learning of your opinion of the new BME mattress, especially your reaction to your temperature while sleeping on the product, as the breathability of the upper comfort layers is supposed to be quite good.
, but you were forward-looking enough to choose an item that has a good return policy. As we discussed previously, it may be that you prefer something that is a bit more resilient (not sinking in quite as much), or perhaps without any visco-elastic foam, and or maybe even using springs instead of polyfoam for a support core. Those are all things that can help (along with items I’ve previous linked to) with temperature issues.