I hope I can get some clarity so I can just pick a new mattress because we are suffering! I feel turned upside down on affordable choice. Started at mattress firm which the black beauty rest highest model over 5,000 was the only comfortable one. Way to expensive and bad reviews. I was then set to rebuild my current one since it has a really nice cover to it but felt extremely overwhelmed with the amount of information given on the reddit and process of purchasing from different places and returning issues. So that brought me to two local mattress makers here in Massachusetts, Portland and Gardner mattress makers. Portland had only one we felt comfortable on which was the New Castle plush but weary of the foam as the comfort layer and the return policy isn’t great. Manager was great though and would recommend to anyone. Gardner had more comfort choices for sure but salesman was new and unclear on alot of questions so I reached out direct and spoke with a experienced gentleman who was absolutely wonderful but all the information I had of latex wasn’t as recommended for the most part. Their most comfortable for me was the Comfort support 3” latex. Also they don’t finance which is something we needed with our situation. I’m 56yrs 5’3 135 pd side sleeper, osteoporosis with hip and joint pain. Hubby 65yrs disabled vet 5’6 185 stocky build side sleeper who has had several surgeries including a shoulder replacement, 4 stomach surgeries, a spinal surgery 5 months ago. We are waking up in agony and need help finding a good mattress we can afford and finance. Please and thank you 
The DIY route can definitely feel overwhelming. It’s a lot of information to process and not always straightforward. For some people who enjoy tinkering or for folks who have truly exhausted every other option, it can be worth the effort. But for most, it can be confusing and stressful.
We don’t have direct experience with Gardner or Portland Mattress Makers and aren’t affiliated with them, but we’ve known the owners over the years. They’re good people and most customers have solid experiences with both. The real challenge is whether the mattress you pick will actually be comfortable. Unfortunately, that’s hard for anyone to guarantee. You’re lucky to have two reputable local makers in your area.
One thing to keep in mind is that as we age that things just get harder in terms of comfort. Finding something that works with osteoporosis, hip, and joint pain is especially tough. Two people with nearly identical issues can have totally different reactions. One loves a mattress and calls it life-changing while the other finds it makes the pain worse. That’s why it’s so tricky to pin down a sure thing.
We wish we could say “go buy the New Castle plush from Portland and it’ll solve everything,” but no one can make that promise. A good question to ask both places is whether they offer a rebuild option where basically the ability to make the mattress softer or firmer later if it doesn’t feel right. That flexibility could be worth a lot.
Most importantly, don’t overspend and make sure you stay within a budget you’re comfortable with. At the end of the day, both Portland and Gardner are probably the best options you’ll find locally and it’s just about which path feels more manageable for you and your husband.
The best recommendation we have is to go lie down on the mattresses. Narrow it down to a couple that feel comfortable then lie in your natural sleep position for at least 15 minutes. That will feel like a long time in a showroom, but it will start to give you an idea of whether it will be comfortable all night.
Another thing to consider while it’s not right for everyone is an adjustable bed. For people who find sleeping in a recliner comfortable (not sure if that’s the case here), an adjustable base can help by slightly lifting the head, the foot, or both.
Just like an adjustable bed might help, experimenting with different pillows can also make a big difference.
We wish we had a clear, simple answer, but mattresses are very personal especially when chronic pain and past back surgeries are involved. But these are probably your two best options. Again, I’d suggest asking if they offer the option to pick up the mattress and rebuild it for you and be sure to ask about the costs and timeline for that. If there is a cost, just factor it into your budget when making the purchase.
Thank you for your input! Neither company has a mattress that is interchangeable with layers of that’s what you mean. Portland has 3 different toppers I can buy if it’s not comfortable, foam, memory foam or latex. Price ranges 400-600. I went with my husband first visit there and we both felt ok on the castle model but I’m hesitant with that model being a foam comfort layer only. We are sleeping on one now that is a mix of every foam there is lol Top is memory foam and we hate it!! Also return policy there is a 20% restock fee if that one mattress we like doesn’t work. Also the latex options they had they said had talalay but couldn’t really give exact type and those beds were hard. That’s where Gardner shined over Portland because there’s had 3’ of the talalay 19ild I believe and felt extremely comfortable. Hubby didn’t try this one but he isn’t as picky about it and not an over thinker lol The gentleman I spoke with wasn’t a fan of latex in general but more a fan of their memory foam. I guess from my research I thought talalay was the best and most long lasting comfort layer. The no finance option also through a wrench into the decision:( Are you mattresses comparable to either of these companies and if so what are the differences? Attaching pic of what we are sleeping on that’s killing me!
Sorry for the confusion. Some local mattress makers will rebuild your mattress. Within 30 days of ownership, they may come out, take the mattress back to the factory, and add materials or change a layer inside to make it softer or firmer. Usually, there are fees for this service, and you might be without a mattress for a couple of days. Some companies also require that you use a mattress protector, and if there are stains even something like spilled coffee or pet hair, they may refuse to take it back. For this reason, it’s often best to use a full encasement to keep the mattress clean if you think you might need this service. Not every company offers it, and fees vary, so it’s important to check with them and ask questions.
Our mattresses are not comparable to the ones in the photo. We don’t use Talalay, and it’s hard to say how we compare to Portland or Gardner since we haven’t tested their mattresses. It’s also difficult to guarantee that something you tried and liked elsewhere will feel the same from us. That said, we always recommend supporting local mattress makers.
I’m not sure about your budget or whether financing is a factor, but one option could be to buy a less expensive mattress from a local maker that feels relatively comfortable in the showroom and then add a Talalay topper to customize the feel. A topper might be less expensive online from one of the Mattress Underground members who sell Talalay.
If you liked an all-latex mattress from a local maker but need financing and a risk-free trial, there are also Mattress Underground members like SleepEZ. We are not affiliated with them, but many people report positive experiences. They make mattresses that use Talalay and might be worth looking into.
So the mattress you sell is coil with tallalay isn’t it? Isn’t that the same as gardeners 3” but without the zipper? F
Sorry for the confusion. As mentioned earlier, we do not use Talalay latex—our mattresses use natural Dunlop latex.
In some ways, our mattress is similar to Gardner’s, but there are many factors that impact the overall feel. For example, the style and type of pocket coil used can make a significant difference. That doesn’t mean one is better than the other, but it just creates a different feel.
We haven’t personally tested their mattresses so we can’t say for certain how ours compares in terms of feel. We just want to be straightforward with you and avoid overpromising. The last thing we want is for you to expect it to feel exactly the same and end up disappointed.
I understand financing is important. If you really liked the Gardner mattress but they don’t offer financing, one option to consider is applying for a credit card with zero-percent financing. Here’s a list we found with a quick Google search on NerdWallet.
As always, be sure to review the fine print including annual fees, penalties, and minimum monthly payments before proceeding with any financing option.
What latex is used in your mattress?
We use natural Dunlop latex.
I haven’t bumped into anything in my area yet that’s using Dunlop. I love the concept of your mattress being able to change out comfort layers. Would you have a recommendation where I could try the Dunlop? Unsure how different it feels compared to the soft talalay.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but we don’t know of anyone in the area selling Dunlop.