My partner has a spinal injury, 2 torn discs in the lower back, so we're investing in a new mattress (currently sleeping on a cheapo rubbish one).

We've discovered it's hard to find some real information on mattresses, so here's a few things we want to clear up:

1)We've been told that individual pocket springs don't last as long as other spring systems (this may be why so many users of beds with pocket springs complain about significant permanent impressions being left in the bed) - thoughts?

2)We've narrowed the beds down to a Simmons Backcare Elite, with zoned pocket springs and a latex/foam top, and a sleepmaker Chiro Gel 200 with zoned springs (not pocket), and a gel top.  We've actually been able to get a free 2 week trial of the latter bed, but do people have any opinions on the Gel top beds?  It seemed comfortable, though a bit softer than the Backcare Elite, but we still felt like we were being supported.  Both beds seemed to have very little partner disturbance.