We bought one of the original Tempur Pedic mattresses about 27-28 years ago. They were new - no one had ever heard of it. Bought at Healthy Back store in DC area. The temper material was used in the space shuttle and fighter jets as I recall. To provide support under high G forces.
Sucker weighed a ton! Moving the bed was all but impossible. You couldn’t flip it due to the design. But even rotating it 180° was a major two person job!
It lasted so long. But recently I had started waking with back ache. Wife was fine. So not sure if it was the mattress or me.
We just (within the last month) got a new Tempur Pedic (Proadapt) on an adjustable base vs foundation. Much lighter. (I’m sure much less Tempur material.) We love it! My back has not complained since. So happy to see that heavy mattress and foundation walk out the door - but it had unbelievably long service with incredibly comfort and support for so long. We knew we wanted another.
Nice to see you had good long term experience too!
Many assumptions made in the previous comments!!
I bought an original Tempurpedic back in the early 90s from the back of Popular science mag classifieds touting Visoelastic NASA developed foam. Most people didn't know what foam was back then or that Popular science existed!
There were no foam mattresses back then that I remember, mattresses were all springs heavy and firm and lasted a long time.
The benefit of a foam mattress was that it would allow you to 'sink' into the mattress and support you everywhere something firm spring mattresses didn't do well. I remember seeing the ad showing a glass of wine not spilling when someone sat down on the other side of the bed ... isolation.
Foam has evolved innovated over the years like everything else including springs.
Old foam is not necessarily better then new foam and foam density was not even discussed in the 90s. New foam has different densities etc and allows mattress designers to craft different user experiences e.g., Tempurpedic Pro Adapt, Breeze etc.
The big issue with foam back in the 90s was heat retention and considered bad for sex as it was too plush. Yup social media!
Every user will have a different experience and going to a mattress store to feel a matress is the only way to learn your individual preferences. Listening to other people provide inputs is hit and miss, but helps again if you can probe their answers as to what they like and don't like. Some people out their opinion as informed yet struggle to provide tangible rational but hey it's for you not me 🤣 True for everything n'est-ce pas?
Having a mattress for 20 years or more doesn't necessarily mean it is a good or bad mattress. Unless the bed is trrrible and has springs sticking out of it or body aches push someone to the brink of pain will action be taken. Many factors come into play such as affordability, not a high priority, current situation isn't demanding change yet etc. I have slept on tatamis / futons for years "this is the way" during my younger days.
Once you know your preferences, Costco offers the best deals from my experience with 2+ years to return (anything over 2+ yrs is reviewed) and offer many options but not every model of a manufacturers line.
It's up to the vendor as what they want to offer such a bundle from Sleep Science that includes an adjustable base with tilting headrest ... etc. popular to bundle adjustable bases with matresses currently. Tempurpedic Purple Novaform Casper many brand names including Kirkland hybrid. There will always be deals and price matching etc so best to shop around and find what your comfortable with.
Since you tend to keep your mattress a long time it makes sense to take time and be comfortable with the decision. Enjoy the process / discovery!!
If you go to a local mattress store they may have 'used' mattresses ie returns available. They can't sell as new but they can sell as used. I know of several people that have bought used mattresses from local stores and they are Aireloom, Tempurpedic etc ... maybe buyers remorse?
Check Nextdoor etc or FB marketplace and you'll find warehouse sales of used/return/last-year-model mattresses at very good prices. Returns don't go to landfills and there are mattress recyclers that 'harvest' the materials.
My BIAB Tempurpedic was 27 years old before deciding to change and there is some sag but no one buys a foam matress and expects a firm edge like a spring mattress. Edge support is for sitting not sleeping.
Maybe Tempurpedic visoelastic foam is better then most?? They don't list density etc. latex and other materials alwsys sound great for marketing and drawing people in but what's matters is sleep quality that is personal.
Everyone needs to develop their own preferences and hence going to a matress store and trying out mattresses and listen to sales pitches is a good first step. Media reviews like CR etc are helpful as well. Sales bias is the same as with /mattress postings someone's experience / personal comment: true or not never wrong.
I look for the rational behind the comment and or tests that validate the opinion e.g., how to determine if a mattress sleeps hot and I like to develop my own opinion/preference ie independent thinker.
Enjoy the process as a mattress is a long time investment and your preferences can change over time.
My husband and I have an original Tempur-pedic from roughly 15 years ago. It’s been amazing, except it runs hot. That’s my only complaint. However, now it is sinking and feeling hard. It has dips and valleys. We’ve been looking to replace it, but are so confused. Nothing feels as good as the old mattress or as well made. It’s so discouraging! I’m sure my current one is like 16 inches thick, even has a pillow top area.
u/Falcormoor u/Broad-Argument-9884 :
I'm looking for a memory foam topper & would appreciate whatever advice or information you may offer. Where can I find foam like the OG Tempur-Pedic mattresses? I bought a queen back in 1997(ish) when they only had one model & I loved it. In 2007 it went to live in my guest room because I wanted a bigger bed & I bought a king Tempur-Pedic Rhapsody, which I also loved. After 18 years with the Rhapsody I started waking up with a stiff neck so I decided it was time for a new mattress. I looked at the current Tempur-Pedic offerings but haven't heard great things about them. I'm now in my first week of the Sleep on Latex hybrid; it's way too firm for me and has too much motion transfer.
Where I can find a topper (or even a mattress) of same type & quality as the early Tempur-Pedics? Do they even exist any more? What exactly am I looking for?
The 1997 OG queen is still going strong - after about 5 years in my guest room it spent a couple of years as the main bed for my partner's son & wife, then came back to live in his guest room. We slept on it recently & it's still very comfortable.
Captain-Popcorn
