Good Question: Lightweight Folding Mattress?

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Elina needs some advice on finding a good lightweight folding mattress:

Dear Re-nest,

Can you help me find a fairly lightweight folding mattress — without a bed frame, just the mattress?
I'm staying with someone in a tiny studio, and need to just be able to fold up a mattress (kind of like a folding mat — you usually fold it in thirds). I'm looking for one that's eco-friendly and avoid toxic, plastic-types of sleeping mattresses. Something pretty basic as I often sleep on floors, but I'd like it to be comfortable, too. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Elina

This is a good question. From what we've found, you may want to check out this Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress from Rocky Mountain Mattress. It starts at $249 and comes in three sizes. It has a 100% cotton cover and the mattress is made with Foamex® which uses natural plant-based ingredients in place of the traditional petroleum based ingredients normally used by other manufacturers. It's also processed in such a way that close to zero emissions are released into the environment during the manufacturing process. You can read more about Foamex® here. Also, read a review of the Tri-Fold Memory Foam Mattress here. (It's pretty good!)

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Comments (4)

DWR had one that came with a tray top, so you could use it as a coffee or side table. It was a tri-fold for extra sleeping & came in a couple of colors. I checked out their website & couldn't find it quickly though. Perhaps craigslist or ebay?

posted by tallsarah on June 22nd 2009 at 12:53pm
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How are your DIY skills?

This looks like a pretty easy build. You can get close to a twin sized chunk of upholstery foam from Joanne's for $40 (less with a 40% off coupon), and sew covers, that connect.

Either that, or you can make one long cover for the foam, and roll it up into a nice bag, our of nice fabric.

I'm cheap, though.

posted by imake1tgirl on June 22nd 2009 at 3:30pm
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An alternative would be layering heavy comforters or quilts. Take several old but thick quilts and put into a duvet cover. Add a few stitches to keep it from shifting around. Roll up during the day.
Kinda a variation on the Japanese futon, although if you can find a real set of mattress futon and blanket futon it is very comfortable for anyone who likes a firm sleeping surface.

posted by Faithbck on June 22nd 2009 at 11:15pm
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We got a few of these folding beds to use when guests stay over at our house, or when we are camping and these folding beds are really great. I have spent as many as 5 nights in a row on it and have no complaints about the comfort or quality. I prefer this to any other small pad or mattress I've used for the same purpose.

posted by Shannon37 on August 13th 2009 at 2:04pm
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