How interesting! We have a mattress from a furniture store that we laid on for a while (with people watching us) that we are very happy with. I think there is a little bit of extra padding on top. It is the kind that doesn't have to be turned. We did get the smaller box spring but it is still high. It is about 6 years old and we are both still happy with it. I have a friend with an older TemperPedic who swears by it. She likes to be very cold and says that her mattress doesn't make her hot. And her back pain disappeared. We have relatives with a Sleep Number bed. The wife likes it but the husband can't seem to get it adjusted to his liking. So I do think the advice given to go lie down on them and see. Sometimes extra firm is too hard and sometimes you just don't like the way it feels. Good luck!!