I guess since I manage a mattress store (a Mattress Giant store in Plano) I could give a little input here.
From my perspective, no offense RossMAN, but purchasing a mattress from CostCo is sort of like purchasing a computer from a farmer. CostCo's executives who select their product line, probably have no better sense picking out a mattress lineup, than I would developing a new gene therapy for Down's Syndrome or something similar. Most mattresses you find at 'warehouses', or so-called 'factory direct' manufacturers will have 1.0 density foams.
I noticed someone else mentioning you should NEVER buy a pillowtop because it will show a body impression. That's somewhat akin to saying you should never buy a soft-leathered shoe because it will start to conform to your foot and become more comfortable. I'm sorry but I will never purchase a pair of Florsheims or other hard leathered shoe because it's just not comfortable.
With that being said, and having gotten opinions from people as informed as a spinal surgeon, there isn't much better for your back than a pillowtop mattress. Simmons in particular (if you can handle the fact that even most of their softest pillowtops are rather firm) are essentially the best support systems out there due to the fact that they are not based off of an open-coil design. The coils are individually pocketed and the tops can move indepently of the coil next to them. If you like a softer mattress (which some people will, all mattress comfort levels will vary) then try for a Kingsdown or a Chattam and Welles. Chattam is probably one of the priciest mattresses out there (Next to Duxiana) but is probably the most 'comfortable' set I've ever laid on for my particular tastes.
With all that being said, I'll give a little education. Mattress support, or 'firmness' has nothing to do with how the mattress actually feels on top. The support or firmness comes from within. If you get an extremely soft mattress, it also might be one of the most supportive you'll find. There are only 4 ways to make a mattress, and my store carries all of them. It's hard to give coil demos online or I'd give a little more detail.
Also, like some people mentioned, there are mattresses without coils in them now, containing only foams. My personal recommendation is if you go that route, do not buy a tempurpedic. Nothing against the brand, but the foam softens up after about 9 months, and you'll be sleeping in a hole. It will 'bounce' back as it's supposed to but the cellular structure of the foam breaks down. Hence, you can't claim warranty because they will only warranty a product which shows a permanent depression of > 1 1/2".
If you get an all foam mattress, get one which is a combination of latex and memory foam (or visco-elastic foam) so that the latex can provide the support you need over the years. Latex doesn't really break down and will provide great support for 20+ years. We carry one at my store and it's an excellent product. The difference between an all foam mattress and a coiled mattress is the fact that on most any coiled mattress you will toss over between 30-70 times a night, depending on how firm your bed is. The harder it feels up top, the more you will toss. On an all foam mattress which is designed properly, you might only turn 5-7 times a night. This has been proven by a lot of the manufacturers of all foam bedding.
Let me know if I can provide any more tips.
Chad
From my perspective, no offense RossMAN, but purchasing a mattress from CostCo is sort of like purchasing a computer from a farmer. CostCo's executives who select their product line, probably have no better sense picking out a mattress lineup, than I would developing a new gene therapy for Down's Syndrome or something similar. Most mattresses you find at 'warehouses', or so-called 'factory direct' manufacturers will have 1.0 density foams.
I noticed someone else mentioning you should NEVER buy a pillowtop because it will show a body impression. That's somewhat akin to saying you should never buy a soft-leathered shoe because it will start to conform to your foot and become more comfortable. I'm sorry but I will never purchase a pair of Florsheims or other hard leathered shoe because it's just not comfortable.
With that being said, and having gotten opinions from people as informed as a spinal surgeon, there isn't much better for your back than a pillowtop mattress. Simmons in particular (if you can handle the fact that even most of their softest pillowtops are rather firm) are essentially the best support systems out there due to the fact that they are not based off of an open-coil design. The coils are individually pocketed and the tops can move indepently of the coil next to them. If you like a softer mattress (which some people will, all mattress comfort levels will vary) then try for a Kingsdown or a Chattam and Welles. Chattam is probably one of the priciest mattresses out there (Next to Duxiana) but is probably the most 'comfortable' set I've ever laid on for my particular tastes.
With all that being said, I'll give a little education. Mattress support, or 'firmness' has nothing to do with how the mattress actually feels on top. The support or firmness comes from within. If you get an extremely soft mattress, it also might be one of the most supportive you'll find. There are only 4 ways to make a mattress, and my store carries all of them. It's hard to give coil demos online or I'd give a little more detail.
Also, like some people mentioned, there are mattresses without coils in them now, containing only foams. My personal recommendation is if you go that route, do not buy a tempurpedic. Nothing against the brand, but the foam softens up after about 9 months, and you'll be sleeping in a hole. It will 'bounce' back as it's supposed to but the cellular structure of the foam breaks down. Hence, you can't claim warranty because they will only warranty a product which shows a permanent depression of > 1 1/2".
If you get an all foam mattress, get one which is a combination of latex and memory foam (or visco-elastic foam) so that the latex can provide the support you need over the years. Latex doesn't really break down and will provide great support for 20+ years. We carry one at my store and it's an excellent product. The difference between an all foam mattress and a coiled mattress is the fact that on most any coiled mattress you will toss over between 30-70 times a night, depending on how firm your bed is. The harder it feels up top, the more you will toss. On an all foam mattress which is designed properly, you might only turn 5-7 times a night. This has been proven by a lot of the manufacturers of all foam bedding.
Let me know if I can provide any more tips.
Chad
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