Picking the Best Mattress For You:

The 13 P's

Winston Churchill called mattress shopping [or maybe it was Soviet Russia] "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Yes, mattresses are confusing, but we can help. Here's how you can help too:

1. Past: What thickness of mattress are you using now? 4", 6", 8", 10", 12", 14", or 16"?
      What kind? Wire, Foam, Latex, Memory, Futon, Air, Water or Other?______
      How firm is it? XF, Firm, Med, Soft, Plush? How old is it?_____
      Before that, what kind did you use, and how did you like it?
      What size do you need now? T, D/F, Q, or K? And thickness? _____

2. Particulars: What's depressing about your current mattress?

3. Plans: How long will you be in Boston? Will your mattress move with you?

4. Performance: How long do you need your new mattress to last?
      2 yrs.? 5 yrs.? 10 yrs.? 15 yrs.? 20 yrs.?

5. Position: What position[s] do you sleep in? On your back: % Side: % Stomach %?

6. Personal: Any back or circulation complaints, osteo-arthritis, acid-reflux, etc.?

7. Prominence: How tall are you? Queen mattresses are at 80" Long. Queens give tall people 5" more space than a
      double/full [75"L], & 6" more in width too. For a 6'2"person, a D/F offers only 1" leeway; a Q offers a 6'2" person 6X
      more [6"] leeway to stretch out.

8. Platform & Peak: How high up do you want to sleep? Remember the formula: Deck Ht'' + Mattress Ht'' = Sleeping Ht''

9. Portal Problems: Will a boxsprings set & spring sofabed go up into your apartment? Boston & Cambridge are
      notorious for tight staircases & tiny doorways.

10. Personality: Are you a "Green" [layered cotton, wool & latex] or "hi-tech" [dacron, hi density & memory foam]
      person? Or a "never-change-from-bedsprings" type?

11. Partner: It's very smart to ask your partner to participate.

12. Pocketbook: Will your pocketbook be comfortable too? Remember the difference between "cost per year" and
      "original price" A $400 mattress that only works for 2 years actually costs you $200/year. An $800 mattress that is
      comfortable for 20 years costs you only $40/yr. What at first appears the costlier mattress is 1/5th the price & better.

13. Pillow: Don't forget a good pillow. It is as important as the mattress.

* Caveat: Many customers report problems with the new "pillowtop" & thick mattresses.