Which Tempurpedic?

[phoenix]

Hi DrDonna,

You are asking some questions that are difficult to “quantify” because each person’s perceptions and experience can be quite different but they can be answered in more general terms.

Also, as RSBA points out below, I have no way of knowing how much softer the mattresses will be over the course of a night OR become over time–will the CSB ultimately be soft enough on my side yet give better back support or will the CLB be TOO soft? I am starting to feel a lot like Goldilocks trying to figure out which is “just right”…

If the mattresses you are testing have already broken in then they will be similar to how a new mattress will feel after it has broken in as well. A new mattress will be noticeably firmer at first for most people. I would check with the retailer to make sure that the floor models aren’t new and have broken in so you would have a good reference point for how the mattress would feel in the longer term. There really isn’t any way of knowing which would be the most suitable choice that is more reliable than your own careful and objective testing and personal experience (and in the case of memory foam I would make sure you have tested it for longer than the “normal” 15 minutes that would be usual for other types of foam that are not temperature sensitive. If you are in doubt or uncertain or more sensitive to smaller differences in a mattress then it can be a good idea to make sure that there is a good return policy as well just in case. If two options seem to be “equally” suitable then I would tend to go with the firmer one.

AND I always keep my bedroom pretty cold (mid-60s) at night…how much will room temperature be a factor?

This would make most memory foam noticeably firmer than higher bedroom temperatures.

I think I will order my mattress online directly from Tempurpedic. That way, I can try one of the two out for 30 days and exchange for the other if I don’t like it.

If you are committed to Tempurpedic then this would be a good idea. Some of your other options that approximate the Tempurpedic line or use them as reference points have longer trial periods with no cost returns and may also be worth considering but if you are more comfortable with the Tempurpedic name then at least a good exchange or return policy can lower the risk of making a choice that is less than ideal for your needs and preferences and may be an important part of your personal value equation. Their trial period is up to 90 days and also includes the option for a return (less shipping costs) so you can use your experience on one to decide on whether to exchange it (if you are confident that the other one would be a good match) or return it.

The question is: which one do I try FIRST, since I can only change once?

This would depend on the results of your testing and your own “best judgement” but if it was me and your two options appeared to be close to “equal” I would tend towards the firmer choice.

Phoenix