# Explain memory foam mattresses to me **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 16, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199 "2012-11-16T15:55:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/21 "2012-11-17T04:42:49Z")
If you noodle around the Tempur-Pedic site, they even have a couple of models that are designed to be cooler (Breeze?). Not sure how; their site doesn’t exactly give details. At 3600 for a queen sized bed though, it won’t be in my budget any time soon!! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/22 "2012-11-17T05:05:23Z")
If you want to give foam a try without a commitment and maybe get a couple more years out of your current mattress, try a thick 4-inch topper. I have a 19-year-old mattress set that was $300 when I bought it. A couple years ago, I bought [this mattress topper (or one really close to this)](http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Serta-Rejuvenator-Dual-layer-4-inch-Memory-Foam-Mattress-Topper/3298223/product.html) and it’s made an enormous difference. I think I’ll get quite a few more years out of this set-up before I have to commit to a whole new set. Also pretty sure I’ll be getting a foam mattress when I do. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/23 "2012-11-17T07:31:01Z")
I hear that latex mattress toppers are a good alternative to memory foam. They don’t heat up, but they’re still quite springy and comfortable. I sleep on a combination spring/memory foam that I got from Walmart, though, and have been quite happy with it. I’m obese and a hot sleeper, but I just keep my room cool. Lots of a/c in the summer (a simple window unit) plus a fan blowing on my body, and very little heat in the winter. Over the year, it averages out. ---
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/24 "2012-11-17T19:43:39Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > If you want to give foam a try without a commitment and maybe get a couple more years out of your current mattress, try a thick 4-inch topper. I have a 19-year-old mattress set that was $300 when I bought it. A couple years ago, I bought [this mattress topper (or one really close to this)](http://www.overstock.com/Bedding-Bath/Serta-Rejuvenator-Dual-layer-4-inch-Memory-Foam-Mattress-Topper/3298223/product.html) and it’s made an enormous difference. I think I’ll get quite a few more years out of this set-up before I have to commit to a whole new set. Also pretty sure I’ll be getting a foam mattress when I do. Or, do the opposite: Get a memory-foam mattress and put a cloth or down or even a water cooled pad on top. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/25 "2012-11-17T19:49:47Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > I’ve heard memory foam mattresses (such as the Tempurpedic) can be pretty warm. Since I still have menopause to “look forward to”, this did not strike me as a desirable feature. 🙂 I sleep in an unheated, poorly insulated attic bedroom, in Scotland, and it’s winter. I can confirm the heat-trapping abilities of the memory foam mattress, and god bless the inventor 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/26 "2012-11-17T23:35:09Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > I sleep in an unheated, poorly insulated attic bedroom, in Scotland, and it’s winter. I can confirm the heat-trapping abilities of the memory foam mattress, and god bless the inventor 😉 In your case, sounds like a good deal. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/27 "2012-11-18T00:13:14Z")
I tried one at a mattress store. I felt like I was slowly being swallowed by a giant, stale marshmallow–I found it disconcerting. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/28 "2012-11-18T01:14:23Z")
> [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](#): > > I tried one at a mattress store. I felt like I was slowly being swallowed by a giant, stale marshmallow–I found it disconcerting. I had this experience too. But then I took a nap on one at a friend’s and didn’t sink far at all. And, as a side sleeper, it didn’t bother my hips. But I like - need - a cool bed. I’ll stick with traditional style. ---
**Author:** ![Lightlystarched](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Lightlystarched](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightlystarched)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199/29 "2012-11-19T19:35:01Z")
We purchased a foam mattress from Ikea (not sure if it is “memory” foam?). It was much much too hard and uncomfortable for me (dh liked it). I bought a 2 inch foam topper for it from costco and now it is the most heavenly bed. I will never buy an innerspring mattress again. There is a newly purchased expensive one that we have to sleep on when we visit family and it is torture to be on. I have ample hips and booty, and the foam mattress “sinks” better in those spots. The innerspring makes me lie all crooked and feels hard against me, and I can feel every bounce when dh rolls overs. We live in the desert and haven’t noticed a heat issue. We do sleep under a fan with just a sheet on top in the summer (pretty much just over the torso). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-memory-foam-mattresses-to-me/641199.md?page=1)