Rest of the Sleep Disorders Forum Posting

Posted by Honest Expert / but only mattresses on June 27, 2001 at 18:25:36:

In Reply to: memory foam type mattresses posted by UnConundrum on June 26, 2001 at 20:15:58:

Hi UnConundrum,

First Disclaimer: Nothing I say here is intended to endorse any particular brand or mattress construction. "Memory foam" mattresses will be a perfect choice for some, but not for others. The brands mentioned are based on popularity, not quality. Brands NOT mentioned are due to unfailiarity and should not be assumed to reflect a judgement on quality. (In other words, NO ASSUMPTIONS should be made based on not naming a particular brand).

Second Disclaimer: I sleep on a Supple-Pedic model 3000 mattress. While I try to keep any bias from being reflected in my answers to questions about mattresses, it should be remembered that I DO sleep on a particular brand and model. Caution should therefore be used regarding the opinions I express when my opinion includes the brand and model that I have selected for myself. My weight, size, height, shape, age, fitness, body temperature and sleeping habits will be different than yours. My mattress selection was based on these factors as they relate to me.

Memory Foam Mattresses:

Memory Foam is more generically called "visco-elastic" foam. It comes in two basic types and many variations.

The first type is a slow reacting foam that springs back to shape comparatively slowly. When you press your hand into the foam, the imprint stays visible for a few seconds. Many companies use a picture of this in their advertising.

The second type of visco-elastic foam has a similar rebound property, but is also temperature sensitive. These foams will have a feel like they are almost melting to the touch at body temperature.

The reason why it is important to know that there are two types is because both types are being used in mattress construction.

While the first type has a gentle conforming property that shapes to the body well; the second type has a SECOND conforming action that results from the softening of the foam at body temperature. The second type will be a little more supportive -- because it fits the body better -- and also a little more gentle, because of the softening of the foam. The second type is also more expensive.

The only two brands of "Memory foam" mattresses that I have a close familiarity with are Tempurpedic and Supple-Pedic. I also have a passing familiarity with a similar design from Spring Air, but I do not know the construction details on these, nor do I have direct customer (or personal) experience with them as I do with the others. I do know that all three are using the second (heat-responsive) type of foam.

I also know that all of the versions of "memory foam" that I am aware of being used over the top of steel springs as a specialty padding, are of the first type of foam: less expensive and not heat-responsive.

Differences between Tempurpedic and Supple-Pedic:

Tempurpedic is a denser, heavier version of visco-elastic foam that is firmer to the touch and slower to shape. Supple-Pedic uses a softer, less dense version of the foam that shapes more readily, but may be slightly less supportive.

Supple-Pedic has a patented innovation to their design called a "lever-spring." This is a flat spring (not a coil!) that acts like a teeter-totter: The heavier parts of the body press down, which causes the other end of the lever-spring to rise up a small amount to help fill in the countours of the body (for added support).

(It is my opinion that the Tempurpedic foam will, by nature, be a little more supportive, but that difference may be fully offset by the lever-spring construction. I view them as equally supportive, when new.)

Because of the denser foam of the Tempurpedic, it tends to trap heat a little more than the Supple-Pedic. If you are a person who tends to get cold easily, this can be an advantage. It can also be an advantage in the wintertime when it may be necessary to run the heat, especially if you are a person who stays under the covers well. It may allow you to keep the room temperature a little cooler (generally considered better for sleeping, anyway), since you will be warmer under the covers.

Conversely, if you have a body that radiates a lot of heat or live in a warmer climate, the Supple-Pedic may be more comfortable.

The one time I laid on the Spring Air version (Called the "Back Supporter Spinal Contour Thermo-reactive" mattress), I did not find it to be as conforming or as gentle as either the Tempurpedic or the Supple-Pedic versions. But that may have been because the covering on the Spring Air is a quilted material that would naturally be less reactive than the thin, single-sheet coverings used on Tempurpedic and a couple of Supple-Pedic's mattresses (by insulating the foam from the body heat). Truthfully, an overnight test would be a truer example, but I have not had the chance.

Tempurpedic has a single mattress design featuring a 3 inch layer of the visco-elastic foam over a mostly conventional foam base layer. Supple-Pedic has three versions of their mattresses featuring different thicknesses of the visco-foam, 3", 4.5" and 6", over their lever-spring and conventional foam. Supple-Pedic also has the choice of a single-sheet covering (called Ultima) and a quilted covering, which will change the feel of the mattresses (the quilted feels a little firmer).

Ultimately, I believe that both Tempurpedic and Supple-Pedic make mattresses that are good choices ... IF ... and ONLY IF ... you truly like the feel of them. I cannot say much about Spring Air except to trust their reputation as a maker of quality bedding.

While for my body specifics I could have easily chosen the Tempurpedic and (I believe) been quite happy, I chose Supple-Pedic because they are an American manufacturer (Tempurpedic is a Swedish Import) and the price was somewhat lower for the model I wanted (because of freight costs and advertising differences, I believe).

Ultimately, there are merits to both. YOUR specific situation must dictate which difference is most important to you.

I hope I have been helpful in some way.

Good Luck,
Honest Expert

Follow Ups:

• Re: memory foam type mattresses UnConundrum 16:04 6/28/01 (1)
  • Re: memory foam type mattresses Honest Expert 17:18 6/28/01 (0)

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