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It has been 20+ years since I had to shop for a matress (ugh!). I'm looking into memory foam or latex matresses and would like to also purchase an adjustable bed frame. This site has been very helpful! One of the manufacturers I visited stated that for the flexible base a latex bottom layer is the best. (Seems to make sense since it is rubber). But if I end up choosing a matress with a non-latex, high density foam as the bottom layer, does it really make that much of a difference?
He also said for best comfort/flexibility the matress should be no more than 10 inches. I like a higher bed. Again, if matress is 12 inches, would that really make a noticeable difference?
Last question, for under 130 lb or even 175 lb person, would taking 2 inches off the bottom layer whether latex or high density foam make a difference (taking a 12 or 13 inch matress down 2 inches)? Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Hi Cobalt,

I switched your post to a new topic of its own so your questions don't get mixed in with a different set of questions from another member.

It has been 20+ years since I had to shop for a matress (ugh!). I'm looking into memory foam or latex matresses and would like to also purchase an adjustable bed frame. This site has been very helpful! One of the manufacturers I visited stated that for the flexible base a latex bottom layer is the best. (Seems to make sense since it is rubber). But if I end up choosing a matress with a non-latex, high density foam as the bottom layer, does it really make that much of a difference?
He also said for best comfort/flexibility the matress should be no more than 10 inches. I like a higher bed. Again, if matress is 12 inches, would that really make a noticeable difference?

In general terms most foam mattresses (memory foam, latex foam, polyfoam) that aren't more than about 12" thick and most pocket coil mattresses will be flexible enough to work well on an adjustable bed but when you are over about 12" thick then the mattress may not contour to the adjustable bed as effectively. While in general terms thinner mattresses will tend to be more flexible than thicker mattresses and will contour to the adjustable bed more effectively ... this can also depend on the specifics of the mattress layers and components and staying below about 12" thickness is only a general guideline because some mattresses that are a little more than that which use more flexible materials may still be fine and some mattresses that are less than that may be less flexible and not work as well but 12" is a good general guideline.

Latex is certainly a very flexible material and works very well on an adjustable bed so a thicker latex mattress may contour more effectively than a thicker mattress that uses less flexible foam materials (such as polyfoam) but it's certainly not the only option you have. The most reliable source of information about whether any specific mattress would be a suitable choice for an adjustable bed will be a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or the manufacturer that makes the mattress.

Last question, for under 130 lb or even 175 lb person, would taking 2 inches off the bottom layer whether latex or high density foam make a difference (taking a 12 or 13 inch matress down 2 inches)? Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Every layer and component in a mattress will have some effect on every other layer and component in the mattress and on the mattress "as a whole" so every change to the design of a mattress will make "some difference" to how the mattress feels and performs for specific people. Whether the difference would be enough for a particular person to feel would also depend on the specifics of the mattress, on the body type and sleeping positions of the person, and on the sensitivity of the person sleeping on it as well. With some mattresses and for some people it could certainly make a noticeable difference while for other mattresses that have a different design but are the same thickness or for people that are less sensitive the difference may not be noticeable at all.

Higher body weights will tend to notice the effect of deeper layers more than lighter body weights and changing the thickness of firmer layers on the bottom will have less effect than changing the thickness of softer layers on the bottom. There is more about the general effect of thickness in post #14 here .

Phoenix

I''ve finally decided on my new bed! Houstonians, before you purchase, visit Texas Mattress Makers. They have everything you would want - coil, memory foam and latex, at much better prices. Plus, they give a 10%discount for mattress underground members, plus you will pay no taxes on both the mattress and the frame with a Drs prescription. Good delivery prices as well. I ended up with a memory foam, not too firm and not too soft. Coming from sleeping on a coil mattress all my life, I was afraid i would have an adjustment period, but from the first night, it felt as good it did in the display room, and comfortable all night long. A slight chemical smell for a week, but not enough to keep me off of it. Has it helped with my back issues? I would say there is a small improvement so far. I have no issues with the bed being too warm, but again, it is not summer in Houston, so we'll see how it is then. TMM sells Rize adjustable bases, which I got the new contemporary model, and they also are at a much better price than elsewhere. This model seems to have a flaw where the material near the electric outlet has a small tear on both sides of the base. They replaced the whole base with no issues. I got a St Dormeir wool mattress pad because I didn't want something that would change the feel of the mattress too much, but would provide some moisture resistance. I'm kind of neutral on the product. It is fine, I would make that choice again, and although it says it will fit up to 12" mattress, mine is 13" and it works fine, even with the adjustable frame. Lastly, on the linens, I will bring this up because I have not seen comments here for this site - Vero Linnens sell good quality Giza Cotten sheets. You never know what you are getting when reading thread count and "Egyptian" Cotten, but this site sells the best Giza Cotten sheets and directly to consumer, so, while still expensive, at a lower price than you could find elsewhere. They are also woven in Italy. I could really see and feel the difference, (and I liked my previous sheets, but they are 25 years old, like my previous bed, and getting a bit threadbare). They also sell a nice lavender linen spray. Hope this helps others with their decisions, as this site helped me so much with my decisions, and also saved me money; I had not even heard about Texas Mattress Makers before coming here, plus the extra discounts..Sweet Dreams!

Hi Cobalt,

Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you ended up deciding and for sharing your experience with Texas Mattress Makers as well ... I appreciate it!

As you know I think highly of Texas Mattress Makers and you certainly made a great quality/value choice ... and congratulations on your new mattress

It also sounds like you made some great quality choices with your adjustable bed, your mattress protector, and your Egyptian Cotton sheets ... and thanks for the feedback about Vero Linens as well.

Phoenix