"sex is good on both too"

At last a review that tells us what we want to know!

Do you find that the off-gassing of the Sonno (or some other foam matterss) is worse than a spring mattress?

I have had my sonno mattress for almost a year now and have been happy with it. I let my mattress air out for 1 day and after that it's fine. I would definitely recommended it.

My husband and I looked at the Sonno at DWR, then ended up purchasing a Sterling memory foam mattress from a mattress store. Comparably priced, I think it was a much better buy than the Sonno, because the Sterling has a removable (washable!) top and has 3 layers of foam that you can rotate depending on how firm you want it. After sleeping on a sagging traditional mattress for years, we'll never go back. Bye-bye sore backs. And yes, it provides great support when you're feelin' a little frisky...

Considering how much time we spend in bed, I have to put in a plug for organic mattresses. Especially after reading that bit on the "stinky, off-gassing" period. The chemicals used in traditional mattresses are the same we use to embalm corpses! Ugh!
I bought mine last year from Greenfeet...wouldn't recommend them again as my order was delayed by four weeks, but I love the mattress itself.

you two have such a great little nest there!

we have the sonno prima as well and i would have to agree that it is an adjustment period in the beginning. i love that it arrives in a tube. enjoy!

I bought a $500 mattress and boxspring set from Sealy or Serta and after a few months, the middle caved in.

I am looking for a new mattress, but I have a box spring and frame set up. Does this mean I have to get a new bed frame too?

Advice to purchasers of Memory Foam mattresses of any brand. If you walk around on your new mattress the air exchanges very quickly and the initial foam odor disipates very quickly.
Feel free to email with any mattress questions, I am in the business in CT.

Jeff Klein
Sleep etc.
jklein8@optonline.net

love my sonno!!
i no longer have the backpain i had every single morning for years.
i agree its much better than the tempur-pedic which is too foamy for me.
although it was expensive, i feel that its totally worth it.
one word of caution measure carefully to fit your bed. its fine if you have a platform type but i have an antique indonesian bed that the mattress fits down into. of course the bed measurements are not exact to the traditional king. determined to keep the mattress, after a few calls and suggestions i got it workred out by raising the area the mattress fits into.

The Sonno bed is the best! It's amazing, we love ours. For all the full-size bed folks, it feels as spacious as a queen size, since you don't roll in towardt the center (esp. if you partner is bigger that you). Totally worth the price.

J

Someone recommended the IKEA foam mattress to me, claiming their guests always say it's the best mattress they've slept on. And I think it's under 400 for a Queen. ANyone have any experience with them?

Ikea mattresses also can have the chemical smell problem.
In addition - and I'm no scientist and am not claiming this is true - but concerns have been raised in some circles about women being exposed to plastics and latex extensively. Some of the chemical compounds can mimic estrogen in the human body and there are lots of theories about potential health hazards of this. I learned this AFTER we purchased an expensive foam mattress 8 years ago. It FEELS great, but I'm not sure I would buy one again.

Are those Sara-Kate's toes in the corner of some of the slides? While I've seen pics of your apt. before the shots of you moving in the mattress really bring home how "cozy" your space is.

I got the Sonno and didn't like it. You can return it but it's a big pain because no, it's not possible to re-roll it back into that tight little box it came in. BUT if you do fold it and squash it to within an inch of it's life and tape it like hell, then you can get it down to a size that you can ship via FedEx ground. I think we paid $100 though.

Make sure you lie down on the matress in the store for like 15 minutes at least before you decide to buy it. You do sink into it. I found that I would sink into it shoulders and bum first, and as a result I would (subconciously, being asleep) arch my back. I would then wake up with a really, really sore back. This continued for about 3 weeks.

Sharon, that sounds nasty, about the estrogen. You don't have any further information? I searched the Internet but couldn't find anything. I pretty recently purchased a new bed with a latex topper and what you're telling us is scaring me a bit.

I have been reading this post with interest. I recently ordered the Alu bed (now Min bed) from DWR and we love it. However, I also ordered the headboard in red, because it was on sale. It looked great, but it smells awful, and has not improved. I investigated, and the foam inside the headboard cover is polyurethane foam (same as in sonna mattress, I think). There is some info. out on the web and other places that say this type of foam is bad for anone to breath and will always off-gas; it never stops. I don't know what to do now. I love the look, but not if it is unhealthy. DWR does list this material on their website; i was too stupid to research it before I bought it. Since I am not using the headboard at the moment I am going to see if it is possible to return it. If not, maybe I will investigate getting a new filler for the headboard.

Jessica,
did you buy a medium or a firm Sonno mattress?

thanks -

I wasn't too impressed with my friend's Sonno (I slept over a few times on it). I ended up getting a mattress from RestOnClouds.com. Te memory foam feels a lot better. The Sonno barely feels like memory foam, but the RestOnClouds mattress feels exactly like a TempurPedic. (I got the 10"-whatever it's called) Anyway, the mattress I got was cheaper, and it's a better quality. It's even got a higher lb foam whcih I'm told makes it last longer. For what it's worth, I'd check out RestOnClouds.

After reading this and some other postings, I ordered a mattress from restonclouds.com last month. I'm still in my 90 day return policy limit, so I went in to DWR to try out the bed. The other guy on here is right - you can tell as soon as you lay down that the restonclouds bed is made better. and it has a 20 year guarantee. anyway, I'd check them out.

Agreed. I almost bought the sonno, then I read the post and got one online from those guys. It's way better. Rest On Clouds is the way to go. (though I did like the Sonno - Just like what I got better)

After reading this post while researching online for a new mattress, I had to go with a Sonno. Luckily I was out in Denver for a weekend and I stopped by the DWR store there to test it out and purchase it, they delivered the mattress a few days later. After a morning or constructing a new bed, I was able to "unroll" the Sonno Prima. After this I was in heaven. I'm still happy three weeks later.

Are you able to try before you buy the restonclouds?

For those that bought the restonclouds.com mattress, which one did you buy?

Also, I'd love to know whether any of the posters who have purchased the Sonno sleep on their stomachs, and whether that is a problem or not.

Thanks!

I bought a Sonno firm from DWR 1 1/2 years ago, and (besides the off-gassing, which took many days), we have loved it. UNTIL:

My husband (who is 6'4") and I traded sides (permanently, due to bedroom reconstruction). I am 5'6", and didn't realize why my back had been hurting since we traded sides. It turns out that after 1 1/2 years of use, the memory foam had basically stayed indented in the shape of my husband. I could only sleep down in the middle of the bed in order to stop the backaches. And by this time, we couldn't switch sides - we tried, but his body shape had already indented the other side, as well. We knew that Sonno matresses are not supposed to be flipped. So I called DWR, and they agreed that this should not have happened so soon into the matress' life (warranty is something like 15 years, right?) So they shipped another mattress, and we are going to switch it out, when we are on vacation (we don't want to even be in the house during the off-gassing period). This time, we are chosing sides of the bed, and never switching. It was a great mattress until we switched!

ee

I got the ROC mattress and liked it to. I was going to get a Sonna (sonno?) firm, but got a 10" from those guys. When they say firm, they mean it! But I do love it. RestOnClouds.com if anyone needs it (but i think it was mentioned above)

I bought a Tempurpedic Queen size abour 8 or 9 years ago and LOVED it. I then got a King sized bed and bought another one. BOY was that a MISTAKE !! The mattress was VERY different than my Queen sized I had grown to love. THe new one was like a soft Sponge. My old Queen was nice and dense and firm. I am not sure whats going on. I thought maybne they cheaped the product by making the foam they use LESS dense... but they denied it. OR... maybe the foam justs gets harder and denser with age ? I HATE THIS TEMPURPEDIC BED !!!! and will most likely buy a Sonno.. it felt nice and firm and not like a soft sponge. I can't see myself buying a bed I cannnot try.

We too have slept on Tempur Pedic mattress for years, and have one for our son too. Now looking for a good mattress for our daughter....and omg what info do I come accross...
Yes, the off gassing we noticed turns out to be a serious problem, not something that will go away after a few days (as the TP folks told us when we called to inquire about it). Is it dangerous? If you really want to know read the book "Toxic Bedrooms" available on Amazon.com
In our research we may have finally stumbled upon the culprit for our son's persistant ichy and dry skin, and possibly for a number of other health complications as well. Soon we'll know for sure. No, we'll not get a Tempur Pedic mattres for our daughter, nor any other "chemical" VOC emitting mattress for that matter.
We have received wonderful service from the folks at www.lifekind.com and we are planning to upgrade all of our beds to healthy organic mattrasses and pillows!!

I frequently put DWR beds into people's homes when designing, and as a result, they often purchase a Sonno mattress to go with them. I decided to try a mattress from valuememoryfoam.com for my own house when re-designing. I got the 12" mattress (still less then DWR's) and it is wonderful. since then, I have had a couple clients purchase mattresses from them, and everyone has been happy. If you're looking to save quite a bit of cash (money that can be spent elsewhere in your room- maybe a noguchi table for a sitting area in the corner) go for a mattress from there. You'll save and get a great bed! Hope that helps someone....
memory foam mattress

We purchased a sonno versa mattress after doing some research, unfortunately I kind of glazed by the comments re: off-gassing. Our sofa had a brief off-gassing period and it was manageable. However our experience with the sonno was far less benign. We could not sleep in the room for one week and had to keep the doors shut. It continued to off-gas appreciably for the full 30 days that they allow you to decide if you like it. I tried to convince myself that it really was not that bad but my eyes would be stinging after I lay down on it for a period of time. More concerning, over the entire 30 days that we had the mattress I had physical changes that usually I only have for a one week during the month. I did not make the connection to the mattress until finally, 30 days into the experience I googled "polyurethane toxic fumes" after waking up with a headache and generally feeling unhealthy. My search prior to buying the mattress led me to the wikipedia page on polyurethane which made it sound like a relatively benign material. The second search led me to the National Geographic Green Guide and they explained that polyurethane can off-gas toluene and phosgene both of which are neurotoxins. At this point I freaked out and we wrapped the mattress in plastic. It took about a week after for my body to change back to normal. Now I am reading, and people on this list have previously mentioned that these chemicals can mimic estrogen which completely makes sense based on what I was experiencing. If you are interested in a foam mattress, I would consider latex as it is natural, however, they do use chemicals to "fix" the latex. We decided to go back to good old spring technology and are stearing clear of polyurethane.

OK-I've done some research after reading the comments about off-gasing (I don't want to recommend anything bad to clients) I've had 4 people now put ThermoPlush mattresses in their homes (which cost a lot more than the mattresses I was having people get from ValueMemoryFoam) They are hands down the nicest mattresses I've put in anyone's home, but they are a little pricey. (a little extra $ is a small price to pay for a safer product though if you ask me...) If you have the money, try a ThermoPlush. They seem to be the way to go at this point.

Marge,
Thanks so much for the leeds! After reading the things above, we went for the thermoplush that you recommended. (I think we got a ultra - it was the thickest, softest one) WOW! perfect choice. You do sink pretty deep into it, but it feels great. It took us a few days to get used to the "hugged" feeling, but we just love it. My husband's back has never felt better. And it didn't smell at all when we got it (That's something else I read can be a problem) Plus, we went to store and tried a lot of memory foam mattresses, and none of them compare to this. It was a leap of faith (we ordered online because we couldn't find one locally) but I'm glad we went for it. Anyway, I'm going on and on-just wanted to say thanks!

I am having a tough time deciding between the DWR Sonno Mattresses, the Rest on Clouds Nimbus, and the Thermoplush. Can anyone point blank just tell me which one is the best? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I got a ThermoPlush Premium online. It's great. Shorter than the TempurPedic Deluxe for less money and a better feel. Just my 2 cents.

I'm sorry but those of you who love the Sonno are all out of your minds. I ordered this thing after all the ranting and raving here on AT. It doesn't merely "off gas for a day or two", it full on reeks like crazy formaldehyde and I couldn't stay in my apartment for days. It has been over 3 weeks and it still stinks up the whole place, and even after washing the sheets, they just absorb the odor. It feels like laying on the ground, in other words, it is HARD and there is no "sinking in" feeling. For $1500 it is not a good idea. I am returning it this week.

I got an even better one for you. My in-laws bought a foam mattress in Sept. The mom refused to sleep on it because it stank so bad and was giving her headaches. Her husband still slept on it for weeks, until she finally moved it to the garage. 6 months later, he was diagnosed with severe bulbous ALS! He CANNOT TALK OR WALK and now has a death sentence. In fact, he is now partialy demented. He is 72, and while I am not proposing that a mattress was the only cause, formaldehyde is a known cause of neurological disorders and an agent for leukemia, and a toxin shown in 2008 to increase risk of ALS 35%.

Maybe a mattress kicked him over the edge. Maybe it was just straight-up defective poison. All sorts of 'effects' are turning up. We live in a world where noone protects the average consumer. His wife called in to complain that the mattress still stank, and they offered a new one, saying that shipment had been 'bad'. Memory foam stinks to high heaven, folks. Call me nuts, but this is all TRUE, and if you want to spend a third of your life on a bed of toxins, be my guest, i know I wont be.

I just bought one and I am returning it....going back to my traditional Sealy Beutyrest. Thank god I kept it.

This is an older thread regarding the Sonno Prima mattress sold through Design Within Reach, and I would like to share my impressions. I purchased the medium version in California King size. Firstly, I would like to address the "smell" or "gassing off" issue that seems to dominate many reviews posted. I have a very sensitive sense of smell and let me say there is hardly an odor whatsoever! Did I receive a different model? The smell is similar to having new carpet - nothing alarming. I was very concerned when I read so many bad reviews on chemical this, that, and the other. Unless I have an improved version, this topic has been blown way out of proportion. So let me ease concerns for those who may be considering the purchase as I did... Do not worry! The Sonno Prima has hardly an odor and whatever you wish to call it - is similar to the smell of new carpeting. That's not so bad, is it?
Next - how does it feel? This is quite a different e experience for me, having never slept on memory foam. It takes some adjustment and the best way I can describe it is you feel your weight just absorb into the mattress. You have no bounce such as the typical spring coil mattress provides. It's harder getting out of bed. It reminds me of climbing out of bucket seats in a sports car. Whereas the spring mattress, you sort of just bounce onto your feet off the edge. With this mattress, you feel like you are landing on earth when you get out of bed after being weightless. It's a heavy feeling on your legs and feet as you hit the ground!
The best part is the actual sleep. You tend to stay put without a lot of moving and bouncing around such as on a conventional mattress. You just stay put. Perhaps because you are stuck? :-) but it is a relaxing, deeper rest because the mattress absorbs you. Unlike spring coils that tend to push against you. The Sonno Prima is firm, yet gently forgives and contours to your body lying there. The result? A very comfortable sleep. Which to me, is what I desire from a mattress.
I hope this helps those who are contemplating purchasing a memory foam mattress. It will take some adjustment, but I believe it to be superior to the conventional mattress.