Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Feb 7, 2009 1:41 AM
Joined: Feb 7, 2009
Points: 30
I couldn't find much information online about this mattress, but since it was from Costco I decided to give it a shot. I figured I'd give a little review of it so far since no one seems to have purchased one so far.

The mattress is currently on sale for $1099 (queen size, normal price $1399) including foundation.

These are the specs from Costco:
  • 13” pillow top mattress fits the dimensions of your bed
  • Limited Warranty: 20 years
  • Cover is bamboo fabric consisting of three layers.  This fabric is 300g/m2, the percentage of bamboo is 40%, nylon is 40%, polyester is 20%.
  • Cover top layer: 100% bamboo fabric
  • Middle layer: 100% nylon
  • Bottom layer: 100% polyester. 
  • Micro-suede cover sides are 100% polyester
  • Mattress core top layer: 3 inches 5-lb visco foam, 11-13 IFD
  • Second layer: 3-5/8 inches 5-lb visco foam, 11-13 IFD
  • Third layer: ½ inch air barrier
  • Fourth Layer: The Wedge Patented Edge Support System
  • Base layer: 6” Air Channel Base, dual density, dual IFD, relief cut urethane core
  • Queen mattress dimensions:
    60” W x 80” D x 13” H
    Weight: 196 lbs.

This is my first all foam mattress (previous was a "S" spring bed with a 3" foam topper) and so far (three nights) it has been fantastic. I'm a big guy (280lbs 5' 9") and really haven't had any problems sinking into all that foam (side and stomach sleeper), although it is a little harder getting in and out of the bed!

The mattress seems high quality and feels similar to the Temper-Pedic I tried. So far it doesn't sleep too hot for me.

Avoid the matching foundation. It comes fully assembled and is made of steel with plastic panels for support. While it works, I'm concerned about the cheap plastic support panels. For the price (about $200 extra for the matching set) I feel you can do better buying a foundation locally.

Delivery consisted of two large boxes, one for the mattress and one with the pre-assembled foundation. The manufacture date on my mattress was November 2008.

Assembly was easy, although the mattress alone weighs in at 132 pounds! After removing the plastic it only took about 30 minutes for it to fully decompress. Thankfully, the mattress is sealed in the zipper cover at the factory before packing! I thought I was going to have to install the cover myself! They make a big deal about the cover being made of "bamboo" fabric but it seemed just like a nice and soft cloth cover to me. You need to make sure that the cover doesn't get soiled or the bed warranty is voided!

 Darren
This message was modified Feb 7, 2009 by dkcs
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #14 Mar 31, 2009 8:23 AM
Joined: Mar 18, 2009
Points: 10
Well, mine is in transit and appears to be now only one state away...hopefully it will be delivered in the next couple days.

On the waybil, mine says it's 215 pounds! I only ordered the mattress too. Do they really have 50 pounds of packaging? Or maybe it's including a pallet in that weight?
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #15 Mar 31, 2009 4:41 PM
Joined: Feb 7, 2009
Points: 30
I believe that is the weight the shipping company charges since the box is huge (it would easily cover two pallets). I seem to remember that the actual weight on the outside of the box was around 162 pounds for the King size.

Be careful with opening the box and inner roll. It's very easy to cut the mattress inside when taking it out of the plastic. I suggest getting the sealed mattress oriented correctly on top of your foundation before cutting the inner roll since it is a bear to move around once it expands. Also, they seem to roll these mattresses inside out so make sure you have the top side (the side with "sleep science" imprinted) facing up as it expands! You can use it within an hour of opening but give it at least 24 hours to fully expand.

Darren

 
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #16 Mar 31, 2009 11:18 PM
Joined: Mar 18, 2009
Points: 10
The Costco "White Glove" delivery says that they will set it up and haul away any packaging. My interpretation is that they can carry it up a flight of stairs and place it onto my foundation. Hopefully that is the case since it's so heavy!
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #17 Apr 2, 2009 12:57 AM
Joined: Feb 7, 2009
Points: 30
I believe you are correct! The delivery guys had it easy with me since I just had them drop the box in my living room..  Just make sure they are careful when they cut the inner plastic wrapper open since the king size is out of stock!

Darren
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #18 Apr 4, 2009 12:37 PM
Joined: Mar 18, 2009
Points: 10
Well, I finally got my mattress yesterday. Aside from the delivery guys giving a 3-hour window and coming an hour and fifteen minutes past that, they set it up just fine. I slept pretty well last night. Takes some getting used to rolling, turning, and getting out of the bed since I sink into it. But within seconds, the mattres "re-conforms" to by body position. It's hard to describe...it's very soft and smushy, but then firm at the same time. We only put the thin bedsheet over it without any lining or padding. Is how we have it the best/recommended way to go? Or should I still put a pad over it? Looking forward to another good night of sleep though!
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #19 Apr 8, 2009 5:59 PM
Joined: Apr 8, 2009
Points: 3
I recently purchased one of these mattresses as well from Costco, it's being delivered this Saturday. I also have questions about getting additional protection for the mattress. From what I've read on this forum, I'm looking to get some kind of mattress cover from Shopsatin.com (Shopbedding.com, whatever you want to call it). I don't know if it's better to get a fitted or zipper style? Cotton or Poly-Cotton?

I was thinking about a mattress pad from them, but don't know if that will take away from the comfort of the bed itself. Also, I was thinking about getting a 1" latex topper to throw on top of the mattress in order to hopefully prolong the life of the mattress and protect it even more. But, I don't know if it's even a good idea with a memory foam mattress.

I'm new into all this mattress stuff, hopefully some of you veterans can help!

I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #20 Apr 16, 2009 8:28 PM
Joined: Apr 16, 2009
Points: 1
I purchased this mattress back in February and it was delivered March 3rd. On April 9th I called Costco and asked them to come and get it. For about the first week, I slept great. For a couple weeks after that, I slept okay. For the last couple of weeks, I have had horrible lower back pain due to the lack of support from this mattress. Sleeping towards the middle of the mattress makes it feel better, but where I slept for about a month is completely degraded. I think these guys use some kind of inferior memory foam. Luckily, it came from Costco and the return process is fairly hassle free. This thing is going to the garage until they pick it up because my Tempurpedic is being delivered tomorrow.
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #21 Jul 4, 2009 2:48 PM
Joined: Jul 4, 2009
Points: 4
After reading all the posts here & reviews at Costco, I decided to ignore Squiggy's post & give the queen a shot.  Bought it yesterday & will probably come in a couple of weeks.  I think the questions above about additional mattress cover(s) are good.  There is only some commentary running through the reviews, etc about the mattress feeling a little hot.  Although, they designed it especially for heat minimization.  Nevertheless, I'm hot sensitive & live in South Texas !  So I want to do everything to keep this as cool as possible.  1) I have not bought the foundation that Costco offered-- instead, went with bedinabox.com "collapsible" foundation.  This has slats spaced a few inches a part and a flat cover-- I'm thinking this will enhance air flow from below.  2) I know this bed has a "bamboo" cloth cover-- Question: Does this serve as a mattress pad/cover?  I'm thinking about the standard cotton mattress pad/cover you can get at Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Is an additional mattress cover (cotton) a good idea for a) encouraging coolness, b) otherwise protecting the mattress?  Thanks in advance:
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #22 Jul 4, 2009 6:20 PM
Joined: Feb 7, 2009
Points: 30
The bamboo cover is there to protect the foam layers (it's thin). I would still use some kind of mattress pad to further protect the mattress in case you need to return it at a later date.

Costco has an updated model of this mattress now that includes a Latex layer...
Re: Sleep Science Ara Foam Mattress at Costco
Reply #23 Jul 4, 2009 7:14 PM
Joined: May 22, 2009
Points: 64
<BR> bradco wrote:
I know this bed has a &amp;quot;bamboo&amp;quot; cloth cover-- Question: Does this serve as a mattress pad/cover?  I'm thinking about the standard cotton mattress pad/cover you can get at Bed, Bath &amp;amp; Beyond.  Is an additional mattress cover (cotton) a good idea for a) encouraging coolness, b) otherwise protecting the mattress?  Thanks in advance:<BR>
<BR>I'm going to vote &quot;no&quot; on using an additional mattress cover/pad. The reason so many companies use bamboo covers on their memory foam mattresses is that the fabric is lightweight and highly breathable, yet very strong, allowing sufficient body heat to penetrate the bamboo fibers and warm the memory foam. Memory foam will not conform to your body contours if it isn't exposed to enough body heat and the mattress will more than likely feel too firm. You're going to miss out on the very reason people purchase memory foam if you don't allow heat exchange between your skin and the foam. <BR><BR>Bamboo has excellent wicking properties and is naturally antibacterial, so it makes a wonderful fabric for bedding. It also feels like the softest, fluffiest cotton infused with silk...put an Egyptian cotton sheet over it and you'll be in heaven. :-) Better yet, bamboo sheets!<BR><BR>
This message was modified Jul 4, 2009 by Zzzzzzzspleaze

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