Last August, I was in the market for a new mattress. I have been having orthopedic problems that I have seen a doctor for, primarily shoulder pain. A lot of this shoulder pain originated with poor support while sleeping. As a young Marine, I slept in dirt foxholes without a second thought. Now that I'm older, I need as much help as I can get. With a third of my life spent in the bed, I was looking for a mattress that would pamper me, and provide adequate comfort to eliminate my shoulder pain.

Research
I visited a mattress store called Mattress Capital. The owner assisted me as I continually questioned him on the benefits of one bed after another. He was very knowledgeable, providing information that seemed geared to helping me make a good choice rather than toward selling me the most expensive mattress.

Differences in Composition
The traditional spring mattresses come in so many varieties, it will make your head spin. There are different coil types, double coils, mattresses with rigid sides, soft sides, variable coverings, etc. Then there are the memory foam mattresses which are very expensive. The memory foam mattresses are thick dense foam mattresses that are supportive, but are way too firm for me. They do not feel comfortable when I lay in them, and I really feel like I have to struggle a bit (and I'm in good shape) just to get out of the bed. The foam that comes in your mattress, whether it is a memory foam mattress, or a padded mattress also varies to great degrees. The memory foam mattresses, generally speaking, are the highest quality foam, which is why they are so expensive. Traditional mattresses with foam padding can vary greatly on the quality of padding, depending on the density of the foam.

Finding A Hidden Treasure
After looking at several mattresses, I came across the Sterling and Thomas Kingsbridge Pillow Top Mattress. The Sterling and Thomas is a combination of high quality memory foam in a thick slab over a traditional spring mattress. The combination of foam and springs provided the right support for me, without feeling like I was laying on a pound cake. I asked the manager about the Sterling and Thomas because I had never heard of this brand. My other mattresses are all Sealy brand.

The Sale
The salesman (who happened to be one of the store owners) advised me that Sterling and Thomas is the high end offering of a regional company known as American Bedding. American Bedding is based in Georgia and has been producing mattresses since 1938. They rolled out Sterling and Thomas as their flagship mattress, combining the highest quality construction at an affordable price. The price tag on this mattress set was $1400. After a bit of negotiation, we settled on a price closer to $1100. This price is very competitive with the Sealy brand pillow tops, which use a lower quality foam.

My Experience After The Sale
After taking delivery of the Sterling and Thomas mattress, I found that the true test would be how it sleeps. The mattress provides excellent support, and between the mattress and anti-inflammatory medication, my shoulder problems became a distant memory. The high-quality memory foam provides a dense supportive platform, while the spring system allows enough give to make the bed comfortable. The bed is very tall with the box spring and bed frame. It is slightly taller than a normal pillow top bed once assembled. There are special box spring mattresses that you can buy that will lower the level of this bed, in the event that you have trouble getting in and out of bed. Otherwise, you may need the assistance of a step stool.

A Cool Night's Sleep
Another attractive feature in the Sterling and Thomas mattress is the Coolmax surface. The pillow top covering is made from Dacron, which is a highly permeable material that allows for the fabric to breathe. The average person loses several ounces of body moisture when they sleep. The breathable Coolmax system allows for exchange of air and moisture to keep you dry and cool during the night. The material dries quickly, so the lost moisture doesn't stay in the mattress. This mattress stays cooler than the other side of the pillow.

The Benchmarks of Comfort
I have stayed at many hotels and the comfort of the bed is one of the most important aspects of my visit. If I get a good night's sleep the rest of my day will be downhill. The higher end chains invest the money in quality mattresses. The Sterling and Thomas is every bit as comfortable as any hotel mattress that I have ever slept on. The combination of memory foam and spring system combine to provide the kind of rest I need after working all day.

Recommendation
I would highly recommend the Sterling and Thomas Kingsbridge Pillow Top Mattress. The high quality foam combined with an excellent spring system make this mattress affordable luxury. This mattress feels superior to the solid memory foam mattresses that sell for three times the price. The price point makes this mattress worth more stars than I have available. I would rate it six stars out of five...my first rating that exceeds the standard. When you can get this kind of luxury at a substantial savings, it should be noted.

This review is part of Dianapinions Best Little Write Off.

Recommended: Yes

Mattress Size: King
Mattress Firmness: Somewhat firm
Amount Paid (US$): 1100