Memory Foam Mattress Guide

Memory Foam Overview

Memory foam, also known as visco-elastic foam, is a relatively new and increasingly popular development in the foam mattress market. Originally developed by NASA to protect astronauts against extreme "g-forces," memory foam is known for its ability to mold itself to your body and support it evenly. By making contact with more of your body, the pressure of the mattress is spread over a greater portion of your body's surface area, thereby reducing stress on your shoulders, hips, and other "pressure points." It is called memory foam because it is very slow to return to its original shape, thereby "remembering" the shape and contours of your body.

How Memory Foam Works

Made from polyurethane, memory foam consists of billions of little air-filled cells. Like a tiny balloon, each cell contains a small amount of air. However, unlike some other foam cells, memory foam cells actually decompress under pressure, particularly if the pressure is accompanied by heat. Thus, when you lie down on a memory foam mattress, the foam cells closest to your body slowly release their air, creating a unique melting effect and allowing the mattress to conform to the shape of your body. Similarly, when you get up, the foam cells slowly refill with air, which is why it takes a few moments for the mattress to return to its original shape.

Memory Foam Mattress Construction

Memory foam mattresses can differ from one another in a number of ways, most importantly in the density and depth of memory foam used in the mattress' construction. With memory foam, density can be a determinant of feel, durability, and cost. In general, higher-density memory foams last longer and cost more, and sometimes (but not always) feel firmer. Memory foam density is measured by the weight of one cubic foot of the material — i.e., pounds per cubic foot (lbs/ft³). In mattresses, memory foam can most commonly be found in densities ranging from 2 to 6 lbs/ft³, with most high-quality manufacturers using memory foam with a density of 4 lbs or greater. Most mattresses have a core, or bottom layer, of regular polyurethane foam covered with a top layer of softer memory foam that is anywhere from 2 to 6 inches thick. In general, the thicker the layer of memory foam, the deeper your body will sink into the mattress, which is a matter of some personal preference. Conversely, the denser the memory foam, the less your body will sink into the mattress. Higher-end manufacturers tend to use a thicker top layer (e.g., 3-4 inches or more) of high-density memory foam (e.g., 5 lbs or greater) in such a combination that the greater firmness of the high-density memory foam is offset by the greater depth of the memory foam layer. This approach enables them to create a well-balanced, supportive feel, using foam of the highest durability, albeit at a relatively higher cost.

Mattress Buying Guide

How much time should I spend trying out mattresses?

Give yourself time to invest in a product that you will rely on for years. If you have identified your preferred retailer, set aside no less than 30 minutes to test mattresses. When you consider that you may sleep on your mattress for more than 20 years, you owe it to yourself to consider your options.

 

How many mattresses should I lie on?

Lie on at least 6 mattresses for 3 minutes each. Even though you may lie on more mattresses, make sure you spend at least 3 minutes on each of the 6 beds. But remember that the longer you lie down, the more likely you are to feel relaxed.

 

What should I consider when I buy a mattress?

The longer your stay in the mattress store, the more likely you will grow tired. You will naturally become lethargic the longer you lie on mattresses. Thus, when you find the mattress that feels the best, make sure to take a break from lying on it. You might take a 2-minute walk around the store, or you might just sit up for a period of time. But be sure to return to the bed you preferred. If you still like the way it feels, you may have identified your next bed.

 

Shop with your sleep partner.

Make sure your partner will enjoy sleeping on your new mattress. If you have children or pets that sleep with you, consider their size when choosing a mattress size.

 

Make sure you are well rested and refreshed when you search for a mattress.

When you are tired, you are more likely to enjoy the mattress you are lying on. To get the most accurate impression of a bed, make sure you feel well rested. We suggest visiting the retailer between 10:00 am - 11:00 am or between 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

 

Know what you sleep on, and know how to talk about your sleep.

Talk with the sales associate about what you are currently sleeping on. Be prepared to talk about how you feel when you sleep on it. Do you wake up with pain? Do you have allergies? Do you have trouble breathing? Tell your sales associate how you feel when you wake up and good to bed.