Nest Bedding Sleep Education
Mattresses, Explained
Learn how foams, fibers, support systems, and certifications can affect mattress feel, durability, and transparency.
Location note: This archived article may reference former Nest Bedding locations. For current showroom availability and addresses, use the showroom directory before planning a visit.
I had a customer in the store yesterday who asked a very sincere question: "Joe, why are your mattresses better than other mattresses?"In my professional opinion the beds in our stores are better than other mattresses. Otherwise, what is the point of being in business? If we are just selling the same mattresses as everyone else, then we are not doing anything worth being passionate about.
But this is not just an opinion based on pride, it is based on fact. Let's break down some of the mattress types that are out in the marketplace.
- Inner-spring coil mattresses - Local companies like McRoskey's, some models of Serta and Sealy and others: These types of mattresses take a metal coil which is connected together by metal wire to create a support base of metal springs that are unable to move independently. This creates a support base that moves like a flexible piece of plywood, forcing your back flatten out. Not the best type of surface to create a mattress as it leaves the mattress unable to conform to the curves of your body and also transfers motion between partners. The comfort layers they build on top of the coils help, but over time, as they lose their effectiveness, you feel more and more of the pressure from the flat surface. If you were to strip off the fabric of this type of mattress, strip away the foams and layers above the coils and just lay on your back or side on the coils themselves, they would be very uncomfortable and not supportive of your posture.
- Air Mattresses, such as Sleep Number and others - Some mattresses tout their ability to change the comfort of the mattress by building their mattress upon a base of an adjustable air bladder, like the Sleep Number bed. While the thought of adjusting the comfort is appealing, what I find is that once you find a mattress that is comfortable, you rarely want to change it. Have you ever slept on a blow up mattress? Chances are, if you have, you are familiar with the age-old issue of the mattress leaking, and your bottom feeling the floor in the morning. Again, if we strip down the fabric and foam layers, all you have left is an air mattress. And does anyone get excited about sleeping on an air mattress? Likely not. They are not supportive. You either have the air mattress that is full and hard, or as you let some of the air out, it simply allows the heaviest part of your body, the middle, sink out of alignment.
- Pocketed Coil Mattresses - Nest Bedding uses pocketed coils in its organic mattresses, as do a few other companies. Pocketed coils are able to conform to the curves of your body and do a much better job with motion. You can barely feel any motion from a partner. If you were to take the mattress apart and lay on the pocketed coils directly, you would feel supported and much more comfortable than a coil tied metal coil system.
- All Foam Construction - Foam mattresses are the best for proper support and a lack of pressure. Memory foam mattresses are constructed by placing the memory foam layer over a firm, supportive foam layer. If you were to lay on the support foam, you would feel comfortable.
While there are many mattresses, there are right and wrong ways to build a mattress. Do your research and make sure you shop for mattresses that are built properly, for support, comfort and durability like the mattresses at Nest Bedding in San Francisco and Berkeley, or in your home across the country at NestBedding.com
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