Decent Mattress?

Guyzie

Hi gang,
So I've once again put my 'kin back out whilst circuit training.. grrrr!!
It had been on the cards for a couple of weeks and rather than just stick to the spinning bikes I stupidly did some running and jumping around. Yes I know!

Anyway, one of the things I think I need to look at is a new mattress for our bed... wife also has back issues.

Anyone got experience/advice on which mattresses are best?
My brother has a Tempur which he says is pretty good (and expensive, though that's not an issue if it helps), but I have also heard he and his misses still complain about back problems from time to time.

So, fire away with your thoughts:-)
Cheers,
Guy

morite

I bought one from mattressonline.co.uk very good service and have a wide range including the posturepedic versions.

Well worth having a look at

amircp

We have a Dunlopillo Latex mattress - bought online much cheaper. Very good - and hygenic.

The Mechanic

We have a John Lewis Backcare No.3. As comforable a matress as I have ever slept in. check it out.

Ricardo H

Not sure what make i've got but its pocket sprung which distributes your weight alot more evenly.. You got to make sure that your base unit / divan is in good order as well.
My osteopath gave me some notes about buying a new matress. The test to do is to lay on the matress on your back and slide your hand flat under the base of your spine. Your hand should be a tight fit between your back and the matress. If you cant get your hand in (no jokes please) then the matress is to soft. If your hand can move freely then it is too hard.

Remember a matress is like a bike, what might feel right for you may feel uncomftable to someone else

chriskempton

Memory foam is nice.

I wouldn't buy off the net, I'd go to a shop and try lying on them. You'll be spending 30% of your life lying on it.

Nuggs

We bought a memory foam mattress from Feather & Black, which has been superb (even though F&B's service was diabolical).

I suffer from serious back problems and it's the comfiest thing I've ever slept on.

We would have gone for a Tempur if the F&B 'copy' wasn't half the price!

Captain Fagor

I own a "cheap and nasty" version of the Tempur - if there is such a thing - it's all just memory foam surely? Anyway, whilst I was initially a fan, I am increasingly inclined to buy a qood quality conventional mattress. The memory foam ones might be good in some respects, but they have very, very poor ventilation. That doesn't mean I'm the Phantom Rasberry Blower of Old London Town - they just don't breathe. Some nights you can wake up literally soaked in sweat.

In addition to sorting out your bed, I'd consider what (if any) stretching regime you have.

philbill1973

We've got an Ikea memory foam mattress, but will be buying a tempur one day. The end of the day you spend one third of your life in bed so spending £1100 on a mattress is justified.

Our only worry is when we stay in a B+B will we get a good night sleep as it wouldn't be as supportive.

hopper1

I bought a memory foam matress from 'The Matressman' shop.
I've had it about 6 months, and so far no problems, just good nights of sleep.
I did suffer for years with back problems, and always found that, once awake, I couldn't continue lying in bed because my hips used to ache for some reason! No such problems with the new memory foam matress.
There are various models around, which are basically seperated by their perforations per inch.
The more perfs, the softer it feels, and also this may affect the ventilation problems mentioned above.
I dostill have the occasional back twinges, but I then look forward to going to bed, pretty certain that I'll be ok the next day.
Get down to your local shop and try them.
At the end of the day though, they can't work miracles, and if you train when you know you really shouldn't, then you'll still end up hurt! :shock:

flite

Is it true that you can't use an electric blanket with memory foam mattresses?
Don't know if I could give up on the bed being warm when I get in!

robbarker

I have a memory foam amttress and I do like it, although it can get a bit warm in summer. Very comfy though.

brixtonbiker66

With memory foam, the higher the density of the foam the better the quality. also more expernsive

I think tempur is around 100 kg/m

Most cheaper ones are 65 kg/m or less

"The density of memory foam is calculated in Kilograms per cubic metre. This basically means that if a mattress has a memory foam layer with a density of 50Kg then a block of 50kg memory foam in a metre cube weighs 50kg. A block of 40kg memory foam of the same size for example would weigh 40kg. The higher the density of memory foam the smaller the air bubbles are in the foams structure. "

And also check the thickness of the memory foam layer. This should be about 10 cm or more. This thicker the better..and more exprensive



Try and check this. Most shops dont have a clue about this.

Guyzie

Hi all,
Thanks for all the info. Excellent stuff!

I see a Saturday trawling the bed shops ahead of me, but at least now I shall go somewhat informed:-)

A session of physio and a few doses of ibuprofen have me feeling somewhat better compared to yesterday morning.

Hopefully a new bed and better stretching regime improve matters.

Cheers,
Guy