Simmons Beautyrest Black Abriana Extra Firm plus a latex topper

Barnaby writes:

First of all, thank you very much for your website. It's a helpful resource and the quality of the information and the relatively straight-forward pricing are appreciated, not to mention the option of a traditional two sided mattress. I had a couple of questions. For context, I'm 5'11" 290lbs and my girlfriend is 6' and close to 200. We're both side sleepers. Current bed is a Queen size Chattam & Wells circa 2004 that is very firm, some memory foam but it seems to be a relatively thin layer in a tightly quilted top layer. I think that I paid ~$1,300 with the foundation, which I think was a pretty good value/price.
Now looking to move up to an Eastern King size bed that is softer, as my girlfriend wants more space and is complaining about pressure points on shoulders and hips, and at this point, I wouldn't mind a softer bed either. In terms of softness, we both liked the iComfort Wellbeing Refined or the Black & Beyond Kelyn, but neither of those seem like remotely good values from a price/durability perspective. A modular approach via an innerspring + topper or via layers of gel foam/latex/foam seems like the best route. Adding to the difficulty level a bit, we prefer a bed that is relatively low to the ground, ideally ~19" - 20" or so. Sleeping hot is a concern, but not a huge one since we're in a moderate climate. 
1. I've seen your recommendation re: the Simmons Beautyrest Black Abriana Extra Firm plus a latex topper. I have been leaning towards something like that, but with a memory foam topper. Can you explain why a latex topper will be superior to a memory foam topper (either medium or high density)? Most of the latex beds that I have tried have been pretty firm. Let's assume that if I go this route, durability is less of a concern than softness, at least for the topper.
2. What do you think of the new Sealy Optimum / Simmons Comfortpedic Advanced. Do you think they would have any significant advantages that would make them worth the extra couple of hundred dollars, over and above the $2.5K price for the Abriana + latex toper? How about the Tru-Energy or Sealy Posturepedic Gel?
Many thanks for any advice.
Regards, Barnaby

Hi Barnaby, 

Your sizes are a factor here. None of the memory foam beds, with or without gel, are suitable for your sizes. The Simmons Black Abriana is the strongest of the one sided mattresses. 

The latex topper is where you'll find comfort that will out-perform memory foam in both comfort and durability. 
For the lower height, eliminate the bed frame and get a Lo-profile boxspring.
Here are links to these products.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-black/

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

Thanks, Pete

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