The Unofficial Memory Foam/Visco Elastic/NASA Pillow Thread

Page 50 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

Sesopedalian

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,487
0
0
Originally posted by: gergever
has anybody tried one of these these from ikea



doesn't look like JC Penny carries the "5" jc penny extra firm support foam topper" anymore (to use as a base).


I have a Penny's one and an Omalon one, and the Omalon is far superior.
 

Kalibaba

Junior Member
Nov 24, 2002
24
0
0
I don't know if they're any good, but I just picked up a King size, 3lb density 3" mattress topper on Overstock.com

With 2 free contour pillows and $1 shipping, it came out to $129.04. They threw in a $1.95 coupon when I checked out.
 

gergever

Member
Jan 9, 2004
118
0
0
I've had the following setup for about a week now and am satisfied with the purchase.

5" jc penny extra firm support foam topper to use as base (ordered queen size for my full size bed frame).
it was on sale with free shipping code - I think it was $89

foam factory ebay store I ordered
2" 3.5lb memory pad - full size - $52
and
2" 5.5lb memory pad - full size - $108
+ $48 shipping for both (didn't want the pillows)

I already had a slatted bed frame from LL Bean with a tired mattress on it. I layed some plywood over the slats & put an old sheet on top of it.

After laying out the foam on the floor for a few days and walking on them, they spread out.
I lined up the penny's pad over the bed frame and sliced a couple sides with a steak knife so it fit inside the bed frame.
I also had to cut down the 3.5lb foam factory pad - they must have shipped me a queen size.
the 5.5 lb did not need any trimming (the hand test on this pad did not leave an impression for very long, but the thing is very heavy compared to the 3.5lb pad).
Also lopped off a bit of the corners on both of the top 2" pads, so the mattress cover would fit around them.

I don't know which I like better, the 3.5 lb on top or the 5.5lb. I can't really tell a big difference either way.
Anyway, it is definitely firm, almost too firm, but I quickly got used to it and get a much better sleep.
I alternate sleeping on side or stomach usually, and if I find myself on my stomach in the morning, there is no sore back at all anymore. Very comfortable setup.

I have a fairly new, high quality sealy king mattress in another room, and I like the cheaper-pedic better.

 

alternety

Junior Member
May 4, 2002
23
0
0
I have been looking at this thread for a couple of years. I bought a queen bed that was a softer foam than Tempur-pedic and it seemed good at first. Now I am starting to get backaches again. I am a side sleeper. I am thinking an additional foam top layer.

I looked at a link to Foamex. They have a product called Venus under their new products page. 8lb, open cell, best thing since inside plumbing.

The link was from memoryfoam and they do not list the product.

Anyone seen this stuff and have any info?

Another question. I have been thinking that the success of support on these foams would be function of body weight and the distribution of that weight. The viscoelastics ought to provide some "free" compression distance through the heat mechanizm to even distribution of response force. Anyone know anything about this aspect of the foam? COuld a bed that works become uncomfertable with a weight change in the sleeper?
 

NanoStuff

Banned
Mar 23, 2006
2,981
1
0
Originally posted by: alternety
I have been looking at this thread for a couple of years. I bought a queen bed that was a softer foam than Tempur-pedic and it seemed good at first. Now I am starting to get backaches again. I am a side sleeper. I am thinking an additional foam top layer.

How thick was it? Softer isn't necessarily better. High density polyurethane will have higher viscosity, you could have gotten jipped as there are mattresses out there under 3lb/ft^3, which is plain unsuitable, it doesn't retain the properties memory foam should have.

You may also be more comfortable getting a shallower mattress, and placing it on a hard surface rather than another mattress. Sinking into a mattress could be a nightmare and you wouldn't even know it as your body is unable to move at night as the foam is deeply contoured around you. 4" on a wood floor is firm yet provides good support, allowing you to move freely on the bed... assuming ofcourse you get a proper quality 4lb+^3

I looked at a link to Foamex. They have a product called Venus under their new products page. 8lb, open cell, best thing since inside plumbing.
Any company can make extraordinary claims. I've heard it all before, no reason to take it seriously. Unless ofcourse you've been shown otherwise.

Another question. I have been thinking that the success of support on these foams would be function of body weight and the distribution of that weight.

Indeed, the more weight is applied, the higher the compression, the more resistance to compression is applied by the mattress. The exact calculations are likely more complex than anyone would want to bother with, so we can only assume that more weight would require a thicker mattress, although a person of more weight typically also has more fat (less pointy) spots, and the weight is distributed more evenly across the mattress. Whether the two cancel eachother out is a mystery to me.
 

mikeford

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2001
5,671
160
106
I'd like to find a nice office chair cushion, thinking memory foam, gel, or microbead, but have yet to see item one with a decent review by real people.
 

MIDIman

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
3,594
0
0
I remembered seeing this thread years ago and always ignored it. Funny that I went to a matress store the other day to get a new Queen, and I had no idea how much matress products have really changed and deserve a thread like this.

I ended up getting an awesome Memorial Day deal on a Queen Sealy BeautyRest inner-spring mattress that has a small amount of foam on it - like a 1/4". It ended up being around $800 after tax with free shipping because the clerk messed up on the order twice.

I really don't like the all-foam matresses because of the sinking-in feeling you get from it, and the fact that you can't really move too much. This one was nice because it has a medium spring support, but that slight bit of softness you get from the small amount of foam - and I figured, hey 60 days to try it out...

In my case, I have an Ikea bed frame and no box spring. I like being low to the ground. I immediately noticed that it feels a bit firmer than it did in the store, but still figured I'd give it a shot. My first evening sleeping on it was quite comfortable. But last night, my second night, I found myself tossing and turning all night and woke up with lower back aches, and I'm wondering if its too firm...


Is it worth the effort to get a topper of some kind? Featherbed? Foam? Where's a good place to look?


I'm going to keep going nonetheless. I think I have to own it for 30 days before doing a return.
 

TecJunkie

Senior member
Jun 17, 2001
470
0
0
Originally posted by: mikeford
I'd like to find a nice office chair cushion, thinking memory foam, gel, or microbead, but have yet to see item one with a decent review by real people.

I'm having a couch redone and I was thinking of having the cushions done in memory foam. The upholsterer seems to think this is absurd and I cant say i've ever actually seen it done so maybe they are right, anyone have any info on this?
 

MiataPaul

Member
Mar 20, 2003
189
0
76
Originally posted by: TecJunkie
Originally posted by: mikeford
I'd like to find a nice office chair cushion, thinking memory foam, gel, or microbead, but have yet to see item one with a decent review by real people.

I'm having a couch redone and I was thinking of having the cushions done in memory foam. The upholsterer seems to think this is absurd and I cant say i've ever actually seen it done so maybe they are right, anyone have any info on this?


I was thinking the same thing. I have a couch that folds out into a bed. I was thinking a nice 2 1/2 pad on top of the 4 inch foam pad I have currently and then make a new thicker slip cover.
 

bleuless

Senior member
Jul 25, 2001
437
0
76
the foam will have a some "memory" to them, so if you did this to your sofa, and cover it with a fixed skin, when someone gets up from their seat, the skin might look funny because the foam will still be down, and the skin will just flop in air. i personally would not want to sit in a memory foam, i don't think it'll be comfortable at all. but then i only bought the pillow and never can see myself sleeping on foam either.

last thing is that they also flatten over time, i have a few pillows, they all flattened on me, even the swedish tempur-pedic brand.
 

Lark888

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,032
0
71
My Sam's club memory foam pillow is still going strong after more than a year. No change in softness/firmness that I can tell and I've havn't had a neck pain since changing over. Thanks again Atrac.
 

Strider879

Member
Mar 28, 2003
90
0
0
Hi guys, I'm just wondering where is the cheapest place to buy a Tempur-pedic pillow? I'm hoping that you guys can tell me a place that is credible and have a online store. Thanks!
 

Phuje

Junior Member
Aug 21, 2001
7
0
0
Costco.com has a deal on the Novafoam Cool Wave mattress. The specs looks pretty good. Would be interested to hear from anyone who tried this one.

Twin = $500, Queen = $560, King = $750
12? thick mattress that fits the dimensions for your bed
Top layer: 1? CoolWave? Memory Foam
Middle layer: 4? top layer of Premium 5lb. density Memory Foam
Base layer: 7? high-density conventional foam
Breathable poly/cotton jacquard cover for easy laundering

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgro...did=11153196&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1


 

Phuje

Junior Member
Aug 21, 2001
7
0
0
Check out the Novafoam Cool Wave at Costco.com. The specs looks good. With the Costco warranty and price discount, it may be worth giving it a try. $560 for a Queen.

#12? thick mattress that fits the dimensions for your bed
#Top layer: 1? CoolWave? Memory Foam
#Middle layer: 4? top layer of Premium 5lb. density Memory Foam
#Base layer: 7? high-density conventional foam
#Breathable poly/cotton jacquard cover for easy laundering

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgro...did=11153196&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1
 

john333

Member
Mar 13, 2003
67
0
0
That seems a pretty good price. The 5lbs density memory foam should be fairly firm (I have a 5.5lbs which gives great back support) unlike many of the cheapo memory foam toppers you get that are only 3 or 4lbs.

For price comparison, I got a king size kit about 18 months ago for $480 plus $100 shiping. That was an exceptionally good price. The kit comprised of 5" of firm urathane base foam, and 3" of 5.5lbs memory foam, and a fancy cover - kit means you just put the two bits of foam together into the cover, and zip it closed...

For more details, see my post at the top of this page (or page 25 if this post moves onto a new one).

Still extremely happy with it. The URL no longer works (redirects to Bergad's main site, rather than their custom foam fabrication section), but you can find the phone number using the wayback machine - might be worth asking if they still do the deal.

 

feelingshorter

Platinum Member
May 5, 2004
2,439
0
71
Although i havent tried it, Bergad makes beds/pillows similar to those tempurpedic stuff. http://www.isoform.com/
Since its made in the USA and not from Sweden, its not overpriced and they only sell online. Reviews says that they are just as good as the tempurpedic bed, so i assume their pillows are just as great. off to sleep now..
 

KeypoX

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2003
3,655
0
71
Originally posted by: gotsmack
and mattress updates?



I have had my sensus mattress for about 6 months now and i must say i am not the biggest fan of foam now. It gets really really hot and it seems to be broken in at the part i lay on the most. Making anywhere else uncofortable. I knew this was a risk buying a foam bed and heard/read alot of complants. About temperpedic and all other brands. I wouldnt recommend a foam matteress. Pretty comfortable in my "spot" but if we dont run the crap out of the AC then i am sweating and it sucks

Also it seems this wont last more then a few years 2 or 3 maybe