Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this apparent newer type of memory foam? I understand the real environmental pluses of this foam are minimal at best. My real interest is in something less affected by ambient temperature and cooler sleeping (I would sleep hot in an ice bath). Specifically looking at the PureFit and PureRelax www.relaxtheback.com/sleep/mattresses/purefit-mattress.html mattresses from Relax the Back. I am disgusted buy the prices but at this point I would pay 20k dollars for a night’s sleep without pain and numbness. As a note, in theory I am a fan of latex, however, after a visit to a local manufacture I have to say I am profoundly underwhelmed with the comfort and unimpressed with the ‘generic’/homemade kind of blah fit and finish – thus the reason for even visiting the Relax the Back store.

Thanks for any insight!
/kdspuck

Hello KDSPUCK,

The Relax the back Pure Fit are made by a company called Anatomic Global which is a subsidiary of Foamex/FXI which makes Aerus, Sensus, and other foams made by a process called VPF which I believe produces very high quality foam. Anatomic Global produces the EcoSeries of mattresses. The description on Relax the Back implies quite clearly that they are using Aerus memory foam (more breathable than many other memory foams) but doesn't say the density of the foam they use or the layer thicknesses however and IMO the mattresses there appear to be significantly overpriced compared to other mattresses that use the same foams.

Polyfoam and memory foam (which is basically polyfoam with additional chemicals added to make it less elastic and more viscous) are both made from 2 primary ingredients. These are an Isocyanate and a polyol. The isocyanate is most commonly TDI and less commonly MDI. The polyols are mostly petroleum derived. In the new so called "green" generation of both polyfoam and memory foam ... some of the polyols have been replaced with plant based polyols from soy, linseed, palm, sunflower oils and others. The percentage that is replaced is usually quite small (under 20%) however there are a few foam manufacturers ... primarily in Europe ... who are replacing up to 50% of the petro based polyols with plant based polyols. Assuming a 1:1 ratio of polyols to isocyanates, this would mean that with 50% polyol replacement ... about 25% of the foam would be "plant based". With about 20% polyol replacement ... then about 10% of the foam would be plant based. It's a small step in the right direction but only a small step. In other words ... most of the "eco" claims for polyfoam are mostly "greenwashing". They are still polyfoam or memory foam which are made from chemicals with just a little bit of highly processed plant oils in them. At the current state of techology ... 50% polyol replacement is about as high as is possible while keeping the desirable qualities of the foam. Anatomic Global is replacing about 30% of the polyols (about 15% of the mattress would be plant oils) which is higher than the norm. This article is also well worth reading.

There are a wide range of different firmness levels and layering combinations available in latex which can result in almost any feel and combination of comfort and support that is needed from very very soft to very very firm and everything in between. The different types of latex (Dunlop and Talalay) can also make a significant difference as well as the finish, quilting, and ticking of the mattress.

As a whole ... the best value in a mattress will be at a local factory direct manufacturer but not all local manufacturers have the same value or quality. They will range from small "mom and pop" outlets to multi-million dollar businesses and everything in between. Many of them produce exceptionally high quality and value mattresses (a higher percentage than any other mattress source) but I have also encountered some who are more like most major manufacturers where profit and sales and "stories" overwhelm service and value. While these are always disappointing to me, they are less common in the factory direct manufacturing "group". I call them "money machines" vs "mattress people".

I'd certainly be interested in your experiences and where you went if you are comfortable sharing this as this type of feedback is always valuable. I'd also be happy to let you know of any local manufacturers I am aware of near you (unless they are already listed in another thread and you know already) and any knowledge I may have of them based on either feedback or conversations I have had with them.

A few online outlets that may be a good reference point to compare with Relax the Back memory foam options are in post #12 here.

Feel free with any further questions or comments along the way

Phoenix

Phoenix -

Thank you so much for the information!

We live in Tucson, AZ – from what I’ve found the local vendor list is very short, but any suggestions would be appreciated. In the next two weeks a trip to Phoenix is in order with plans to look into SleepEZ and AZ Premium Mattress - both seem to be very well regarded (this site and others).

I believe latex will be the best option. My better-half is skeptical – our current mattress is an almost 15 year old Select Comfort than never quite lived up to the promise. Just have to get everyone over the feeling that latex is somehow gimmicky and that buying direct from a local manufacture isn’t down-market vs a “money machine”.

So any guidance for the Phoenix/Tucson market would be great.

Thank you so much for your help.
/kdspuck

Hi KSPUCK,

Arizona is one of the most competitive areas in all of the US as there are several great value manufacturers that are located there.

Three of these are members of this site that I have come to know and trust through many conversations. While they may not have fancy showrooms ... they use quality materials in their mattress, actually have a factory behind them, and have exceptional value. They are among the best of the best in the country ...

www.mattresses.net/ Phoenix. Ken (the owner) and Greg here are both very knowledgeable and Helpful.

www.sleepez.com/ Tempe. Shawn (the owner) and Jeremy are also both very knowledgeable and helpful here.

Both of these specialize in customized latex mattresses which have various combinations of layering but have other types of mattresses as well available locally that are not shown on their websites or shipped across the country. They have many years of experience in the industry and offer some very high quality and value customized mattresses. Those that live in Phoenix are fortunate to be able to try in person what most people buy online.

www.brooklynbedding.com/ In Phoenix. Both John and Chuck here are very knowledgeable and they also have some very good quality and value mattresses. They have recently launched their new line of mattresses on their site which includes latex, latex hybrids, and memory foam mattresses. Their Amazon outlet is also a member of this site but they are not available locally ... only online. They also own R&S bedding which is a line of liquidation outlets mainly in the Phoenix area (and a couple in the Salt Lake City area as well) which also sell mattresses they manufacture which are the ones I would focus on if you go here. The staff at all the outlets may not all be as knowledgeable about mattresses and materials as they cater more to "budget" shoppers. They do have a factory showroom in Phoenix but it would require a phone call to make an appointment. They also have great quality and value.

I have also talked with or know about several other manufacturers in Arizona

jamattress.com/ In Phoenix. I have talked with Jim the owner here and he has also been manufacturing mattresses for a long time and knows a lot about the industry and how it works (or doesn't). Also knowledgeable and helpful and also has good value.

a1mattressinc.com/index.html In Tuscon. I talked with the niece of the owner here (who is not in the store a lot). She said she would pass on a message for him to call me after I tried several times but this didn't happen. They manufacture their own mattresses including latex but also have what she called their "bring in mattress line" made by Natura which are good quality and have a wide variety of models of latex and latex hybrids but are quite expensive and don't have the same value as their own brand or other factory direct manufacturers.

www.comfortpedicinc.com/ Factory direct manufacturer in Phoenix, Flagstaff. Have been making mattresses for about 20 years and make innersprings, latex, and memory foam including Talalay. Primarily sells to retail outlets but also has a showroom and will sell factory direct.

www.manta.com/c/mm3vnck/springpedic-mattress-factory Manufacturer in Tuscon. I have talked with Jesus here and they make mostly low budget promotional mattresses. They will also make a memory foam mattress with 5.5 lb memory foam and while they mostly sell lower cost mattresses to local retail outlets ... they do have a showroom and sill sell direct. No latex. Mainly of interest to those who are looking for mattresses in a very low budget range.

www.electroease.com/Showrooms.html Factory direct outlet. They carry Pure Latex bliss as well as their own two sided latex mattresses as well a a few other mattress types as well with better than average value.

www.sherwoodbedding.com/ They are a regional wholesale manufacturer based in Phoenix who manufactures mostly innerspring with memory foam or latex mattresses. They only sell through retail outlets in several states but the closest ones to you are in Phoenix. They have "better than average" value but are not in the same value range as the factory direct manufacturers that are close to you.

Hopefully this will help ... even though most of the manufacturing is happening in Phoenix.

Phoenix

PS: Just to clarify as well since my online name is the same as the city where several members and non members are manufacturing mattresses ... my name is after the firebird phoenix and is an online name I have used for many years long before The Mattress Underground. It always seemed strange to me that it also happens to be a city where there is a lot of good value mattress manufacturing .

Thank you for this info. My wife and I will be looking for a new mattress today.

She's a side/back sleeper (5' 1", 95lbs)

I'm a belly sleeper (6' 1", 245 lbs)

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Hi NEWTOPHX,

I think with the weight differential between you that a side to side split may be very beneficial. This article and the links inside it should help you avoid most of the traps and pitfalls of mattress shopping give you a general idea of what to look for and the types of materials and layering that would make good choices for you. It will also (hopefully) head you in the direction of local factory direct manufacturers or sleep shops who have the knowledge and experience to fit a mattress to your needs and sleeping positions. A good outlet that you can trust will save you many hours of research.

If you are considering memory foam ... I would certainly avoid anything under 5 lb density as they will tend to soften and break down sooner with heavier weights.

If you're in either Phoenix or Tuscon then the links in this thread would be where I would focus my attention. If you're in another city ... I'd be happy to take a look and see if I know of any factory direct manufacturers or outlets that are near you.

Phoenix