What were are looking for? At this point not sure. Memory Foam, Latex, Natural, Organic, everything is still a bit vague at this point but I hope the more homework I do the clearer the picture will become. My thoughts are that with as many variables and options that are out there we are bound to make the wrong decision but at least it will be a conscious one.
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Our Personal Preferences
[i]Microclimate, breathability and temperature control (perhaps the most important of the preferences): This didn’t seem to be too much of a concern with either one of us, and I am not sure exactly why. It could be do to the fact that we live in New England and our climate fluctuates based on the season so preferring a cooler mattress just gave us a sense that it would make our winters colder instead of summers cooler. We tend to actually “sleep” warmer in the winter then we do in the summer, basically I find myself waking up in a sweat more so during the winter months and chilled in the summer, I guess it is what we prefer. We always control this with either an air conditioner or electric blanket and never have related this to the performance of any of our past preferences in mattresses. So this didn’t weigh to highly on our scale and just the fact that many of the manufacturers out there were making some effort to moderate it seemed good enough to us, whether it was in the fabric of the liner, the shape of the foam, or some type of gel that they may be using was enough to satisfy this.
Slow or fast response and where in the range you prefer: We seemed to prefer a mid range response not too fast and not too slow. We liked the fact that some memory foams allowed us to sink and would cradle us but when we tried to flip it felt like we had to heave our hips to get out of the hole and this was an undesirable feeling. Also, the feeling of not being able to get out of the hole was also very undesirable and was mainly experienced with memory foams. That feeling of wanting to reach for a grab handle on the wall when getting out of bed was another feeling that we would not rather experience and was common with some memory foams that we tried and not so with the latex models. Latex was appealing in a sense, mainly from its elasticity property and how the material actually assisted with your ability to flip and get out/off of it when you wake. All these characteristics ranked high in our preference of materials.
Sleeping “on” vs “in” the mattress: This was also a factor and I am not sure if either “on” or “in” was a good term to describe the feel we were looking for. I think “a part of” best describes what we are trying to achieve. A slow limited amount of sink with a quick response to fill in our void and a bit of a bounce to assist with our flip to be exact.
Durability of materials in the mattress: To me personally this ranked real high. Its ranks real high with everything I purchase whether its with automobiles, tools, or even shoes and sneakers. This may be a little bit of a personality trait with me and might be my biggest decision making flaw when it comes to selecting a mattress and that I may sacrifice comfort for durability in my decision and I realize this and tried to keep this in perspective, mainly for consideration for my partner who is leaving the decision making entirely up to me.
Durability of construction (such as one or two sided): This was another factor that didn’t way highly on our scale. I found this factor rather tough to determine without actually be able to experience it. We are relying solely on the input of others, I guess its partly due to the fact we have chosen to go with a online vendor and not someone who is local. The other part is that we ruled out the ones that we were able to determine were not durable and of the best value was enough to satisfy this.
Quality and performance of materials and construction: This too was difficult for me to determine considering the mattress that we will choose will be one that we will not be able to test out. This was based solely on my research here at themattressunderground.com and my ability to interpret what I had been reading in terms of various foams (latex, poly, memory), their compositions (such as density and ILD), and covers (cotton, bamboo, aloe).
Ability to open the mattress and exchange layers or make changes after purchase: This was big, its a bit of a insurance policy to me. This provides me with the confidence in my decision, even if my choices of comfort layers are not what I expected in pressure relief and posture alignment, im confident that with this ability I will always have options to make the changes to get it right if necessary.
Warranty and warranty exclusions (which are often more important then the warranty itself): I didn’t put to much time or effort into the research of this. I feel that warranties are only as good as the company who is willing to stand behind them. If I choose a company that values their customer base and takes pride in their product and their reputation then I have a better chance of them fulfilling their obligation. So I prefer to rely more on the emphasis of my choice of manufacturer/retailer then the actual warranty itself.
Budget limitations and range: This was important considering that I not only would have to purchase a mattress but I would also have to purchase a frame, a foundation, pillows, a cover, sheets and a bedspread. But my range of 1500 for a mattress and 2000 for everything seemed to give me plenty of options.
Price vs quality and value of materials: I’m not sure exactly how to answer this one but I am quite confident that I already have justified this in some of my answers above. If not this may be best answered after my choice endures the test of time.
Mattress only or foundation included: Not a factor … I was somewhat specific in my needs in a foundation and wasn’t allowed many variables in my selection. It had to be a KD and it needed to be around 8 inches tall. So whether on not the company offered one with my purchase didn’t effect my decision, there were only one or two that fit my likings.
Motion separation with small and large movements: Not a real major factor with either one of us at the moment neither is bothered by the other. Hopefully my new choice will not bring this into consideration, is my only concern. I would assume that we are both relatively heavy sleepers and not bothered by the others motions and any type of foam whether it be latex or memory should a relatively good job at not creating this.
Natural materials vs synthetic: Another non factor to me… Just that the materials were mainly made in the USA and that I seen they were Certi-Pure or Oeko-Tex certified was enough to pacify this aspect.
The type of cover and quilting (if any) you prefer: I didn’t really have a preference, though I am aware that it may play a larger role in its durability than I may anticipate. This is another facet that I am willing to assume some risk with and hopefully its not the weak link.
The ease of movement or movement restriction on the mattress for changing position and “other activities”: This was a factor in my decision and rather important I included it in one of my answers above and hopefully it will get addressed in my choice of comfort layers.
Overall “feel” (such as the difference between combinations that include the “feel” of innersprings and/or different types of foam in the comfort or support layers): I didn’t rank this to high in my decision knowing that the actual mattress I will choose would be one that I would not be able to feel. More of my time and effort was put into the factors of value, durability, and what materials could possibly provide us with the best pressure relief, posture, and alignment.
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Thread Link - TOPIC: Need Help…memory foam
(Had to copy this link this person seems right on my path of purchase.)
Thread Link - Properties of different types of foams
Thread Link - Bob-O-Pedic
Thread Link - Mattress Break In
Thread Link - Pillows
Thread Link - Sheets
Thread Link - Mattress Covers
Thread Link - Fine Tuning A Mattress
Thread Link - Art And Science Of Mattress Construction
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So Far: (This list will be subject to change)
Mattress
Brooklyn Bedding - 14" Aloe Alexis (Custom - Adele) - $1299.00
(top->bottom):
100% Natural Cotton & Aloe Mattress Cover,
1" Chemical Free Wool & BreathCool Poly Foam,
(1) 3" Layer 4lb Gel Foam (In replace of a layer of latex)
(1) 3" Layers of Talalay Latex 28 ILD,
7" of 2.17lb BB HD Foam Core.
Frame
Serta 9 Leg Low Profile - $112.00
Foundation
Mattress.net KD Foundation (59.5 x 8 x 79.5) - $249.00
Accessories
url=http://www.brooklynbedding.com/accessories/pillows/shredded-latex-pillow Brooklyn Bedding Shredded Latex Pillows [/url]
url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GURDZ4U/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Ultimate Dreams Shredded Latex/Memory Foam Combo Pillow [/url] - $23.99
url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00COUSFC4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Ultimate Dreams Shredded Gel Memory Foam Pillow[/url] - $29.99
Malouf Sleep Tite Mattress Protector
Eddie Bauer Down Alternative Classic Comforter (Light Warmth) - $49.99
Madison Park Newport Cotton 4-piece Duvet Cover Set - $89.99