[cofe]

our mattress is shit/old and we're due a new one. just wondered if anyone had any knowledge/opinions (i know i'll get the latter) on what's good and what's not (hard/soft, memory, etc), particularly as I seem to have a constantly dicky shoulder which ours seems to aggravate. ta. 

[tomtom]

My preferences are that Mem foam can be a bit sweaty/claggy (doesnt seem to breathe) and I like a pretty hard mattress with a thin soft top layer. Hard = good for back, but dont know about shoulders...

Me and MrsTT went to a few places and in the end spent £600 (EEEK!) on one from John Lewis - that just felt the best.. I think you've just got to go and try a load. It seems like a mental amount of money for a mattress, but most people we spoke to spent far more on the mattress than the bed itself.. The in laws on the other hand like super soft mattresses, and every time I visit I end up with a real achy back and dream I'm in a ship at sea wallowing around!*

*Frued may have an alternative explanation..

[SA Chris]

We've got a memory foam and I love it. Guess getting hot and claggy is less of an issue up here though.

As far as shoulder issues go, it can be as much a pillow firmness issue as a mattress  issue, especially if you sleep on your side. If I sleep on any other pillow than my own I get a sore shoulder.

Definitely try before you buy.

[moodyboy]

Memory Foam.

My aches & pains were significantly helped when I switched. Mine has foam base layer as well. Never have I slept so well, although as mentioned before if you "run hot" it can be a bit much. In high summer I sweat like B'stard. They way we got round it was buying a superking so there was always a cooler part.

I remember going to a fancy matress place and having a consultation via a machine which "analyzed" your needs(bedazzled by sales bollocks  ). Apparently the hard/meduim/soft is to do with body weight & pressure points. Something along the lines of hard beds do not make better backs.

By the way I know fuck all about beds..........

[iain]

This is a great site for mattress education, the videos are real eye openers.
http://www.factory-beds-direct.co.uk/tag/mattress-in-manchester

The Mrs and I can also highly recommend the mattresses they sell as well. 

[Jim]

don't buy one from ikea as they are euro sizes. we've got a conventional sprung mattress with a memory foam topper and its great. some friends bought a mattress that was half sprung and the top half was memory foam. they say its amazing and can't recomend it enough

[cofe]

most folk are saying mem foam, though i don't like the idea of getting sweaty etc.

[Johnny Brown]

I've had a memory foam pillow for a few months now, don't really like it but am persevering.

[iain]

most folk are saying mem foam, though i don't like the idea of getting sweaty etc.

I don't get on with memory foam, partly cause of getting way too hot and partly because of the way it moulds to you and makes it a pain to change positions, it wakes me up too much. (Some advertise the restricted movement as a plus, I disagree)

Pocket sprung is the way to go imho. It can give the same support as memory foam without the downsides. They're a bit more expensive than conventional mattresses but you don't need to break the bank to get a good one. Our current one is easily the best mattress I've ever slept on.

[Jim]

I would definately recomend a good pocket sprung with a memory foam topper and then a thinner slightly padded mattress protector ontop of that. its well comfy.
I got a memory foam pillow to test out. don't rate it but definately rate the memory topper. never get hot or sweaty with it.
Its this one:
http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/value-memory-foam-mattress-topper-47458#powerReviewDetail
well plastic.
don't be tempted to scrimp on mattress as you will be spending about a 1/3 of your life on it

[slackline]

Just remember to test all positions on the showroom beds   

[duncan]

I know we're all keen on a bit of SCIENCE and the rather limited SCIENCE available suggests that medium-firm mattresses are better than something rock-hard.  <insert double-entendre here>

[nik at work]

Memory foam seems to be the dog reproductive equipment if you can put up with the feeling that you're lying in a slightly damp bed. I can't.

[fatkid2000]

Due to our 15 month old spending most of his sleeping hours in our bed - we were forced into buying a new bed fairly recently.

We ended up buying the largest bed we could afford - which you can buy sheets for from normal shops. It's called an emperor and its huge - our sleep improved no end.

We bought a Vispring pocket sprung bed - it was expensive but its been worth every penny. You spend 40% of your life asleep & it's really important for your general health, especially mental and cardio-vascuLar health. Its the most comfortable thing I've ever slept on. Memory foam is just too sweaty IMHO.

Ours came from Ponsford who undercut John Lewis by a good amount.

Just go and try some out - I think it's all personal preference. Vispring will spring each side of the bed differently if required.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Makro stock a range of Silentnight 'Miracoil3'' Mattresses exclusive to them, seem pretty good value. Always on offer
http://www.makro.co.uk/metro_mail/mcc-uk/catalog/1186608/MM21_Non_food_32pp.pdf
Currently 124.99+vat = 149.98 for king
112.49+vat = 134.99 for double

Closest Silentnight at Argos is around £200 on offer and you don't get a chance to lie on it.

We got a similar one for Mini Obi MkI, very comfy.

Holla for loan of a Makro card if you haven't got one.

Alternatively these guys are worth a visit, and they deliver
http://www.discountbeds.co.uk/
Just off London road.

[dave]

Alternatively these guys are worth a visit, and they deliver
http://www.discountbeds.co.uk/
Just off London road.

we got our bed n shit from there, no problems.

[Bubba]

we got our bed n shit from there, no problems.

Yep, me too.

[boulderingbacon]

i have a relyon throughout memory foam mattress which is really comfy, to keep the heat down we bought this clima cool cover which has worked well.

[cofe]

thanks for the various advice. have ordered a sort of memory foam one.

Makro stock a range of Silentnight 'Miracoil3'' Mattresses exclusive to them, seem pretty good value.

incidentally, it's a silentnight miracoil we've just got rid of. they're cheap for a reason...

saying that, i'll stick ours on the freecycle thread in case anyone wants it.