Purchased McRoskey mattresses for both sons. Chose the "gentle" for each son. Did not buy box spring, as the box was as much money as the mattress and could not afford at the time.

It's been a year for each son sleeping on these mattresses. I would not recommend buying just the mattress, as it is too hard to try and find a box spring that is "real" not just a foundation, to put this mattress on. I found a box spring from Ethen Allen that is a true box spring (has springs in it, not just wood platform type) and one from Monterey Mattress Co, that also has springs in it. The EA box spring is firmer than the Mont. Matt. box spring, and makes each McRoskey mattress feel "different". I do not like a soft feeling springy bed, but when using the Mont. Matt. box spring under the McRoskey mattress, that is the feeling I get. My son who has this configuration likes it that way. The other son who has the EA box spring under his McRoskey mattress says his feels ok, but it is more firm feeling.

I personally would not choose a McRoskey to sleep on because it does compress over time (we've had them a year now, and flip/turn them often) and there is a no give feeling to these mattresses, maybe because they're only made of cotton and springs, no foam.