Hi Pete,
I've appreciated reading all the info you've posted regarding the selection of a suitable mattress.
My husband is 5'9", around 200 lbs., formerly (and attempting to be still) an athlete, very bulky shoulders, sleeps on his back.
I'm 5'2" 125 lbs., 45 years old, I have had three children over the past 11 years.
I'm dealing with pain on a regular basis, hard to really measure how much pain, not as bad as having children, but not something I can ignore.
I use heat and ice packs on a regular basis. The doctor doesn't seem to think there's anything clinically wrong with me.
The chiropractor says I'm crooked from carrying children and need to exercise more.
We don't need to get into all the sources of stress, just the fact that I could really benefit from a good night's sleep.
I've slept, for the past 16 years, on a Kingsdown Body System 2 flippable, very soft.
A year and a half ago we moved to a new house with a larger bedroom, and thought it warranted a new king size bed.
Thus began a rather painful search process.
We started with a local store, believing the media hype about Memory Foam being best to alleviate back pain. I tried it and returned it.
Next we went to the Sleep Number. Tried it, and once again returned it.
Finally we thought we'd find another Kingsdown, for we were having great memories of good nights' sleep on that old Queen sized bed.
We went to one of those large chain stores and they did have a very soft Kingsdown.
But, we were convinced of the relative merits of the Beautyrest Luxury Plush Pillowtop, and it was considerably less expensive.
It felt good at first but after only 6 months. The pillowtop developed body impressions.
It took the rest of the year, and then some, before they were beyond the 1.5 in depth needed for a warranty claim.
We did reach that point, however, and were given a credit for a replacement with another product from them.
This past January we went in, intent on purchasing a Kingsdown, specifically the one with a latex top, for it's firmer support and durability.
We didn't want another warranty failure. We now have the Kingsdown and although my husband is feeling fine I'm miserable.
I'm having pain and numbing in shoulders and hips. I've gone back to the old Kingsdown in the guest room and it helps.
But now, after trying so many new mattresses, I can clearly feel that the foam is worn in (although it's not pitted, interestingly enough).
At long last I've come upon your site and found so much useful information that I wish I'd found before.
I have gone back to that store and they're willing to exchange again, but I'm not sure for what.
I suppose I could just keep the current bed and add another topper, but it's already 15.5".
I like the idea of getting the highest quality firm support, and a separate latex topper.
They don't appear to carry a pure latex mattress for the support layer.
The high end Beautyrest with the least cushion that they sells is the Legend.
The one I think is their version of the Beautyrest Black is the Ultimate Plush Boxtop, but this has layers of memory foam.
I can more than imagine that this would break down over time.
What I'm concerned about is getting a soft enough topper.
I've specifically chosen the Kingsdown for the firm support of the latex top, but it too has memory foam, which is causing me pain.
Are you familiar with that mattress? Could you make a recommendation for a latex topper?
Thank you, Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Kingsdown isn't made as well as your 16 year old mattress. Very few mattresses are as good as they were back then.
Make no mistake, The Legend is nothing more than a Platinum Series Beautyrest with some extra window dressing.
It is nowhere near the quality of the Black models and the people at that store have no qualms about lying to everyone about that.
I'm sorry you ended up there. I consider them to be, singularly, thee worst place to buy a mattress...for a number of reasons.
Purposefully misrepresenting their products and their inflated prices are but 2 of those reasons.
I would suggest getting a Platinum Series Beautyrest in luxury firm...not the Legend...and without a pillowtop.
Add to that, a 2" Plush Talalay Latex mattress topper and you will be good to go....remaining like new for many years.
The firm, contouring support of a luxury firm Beautyrest will provide proper support and maintain the natural alignment of your spine.
The soft latex topper will relieve your pressure points, relax your muscles, and ease your blood flow.
Together, it's everything your body needs for that good night's sleep you're looking for.
Here is the link to those.
Delivery is free and there's no sales tax.
Listen to your chiropractor. Take 30 minutes out of everyday and take a walk. It will help you immensely.
