Or to put it more correctly -
What are Foam Encapsulated Pocket Springs – FEPS ?
Quite simply it is a ‘box’ of high density foam that contains the pocket springs. The usual construction is :
One inch deep base sheet of foam
The sides are usually 75mm wide, glued to the base to form an open box
The pocket springs are inserted
A top layer of one inch sheet foam is glued on to form a sealed unit
The comfort layer is then added – Usually Memory Foam or Latex.
The mattress is then covered.
What the manufacturer chooses to put in this unit can vary considerably but the overriding differences of having this type of construction is based on the fact that unlike normal pocket spring units that have a steel perimeter banding – an encapsulated pocket sprung unit has no perimeter banding surrounding the pocket springs hence making it relatively flexible (with the right machinery able to be vac packed and so forth)
So what are the benefits of having an encapsulated pocket sprung unit?
The first thing to note is that the labour costs of producing this construction is far higher and will be reflected in the cost/retail price.
Having a high density foam perimeter inside the mattress goes a long way to aid full edge to edge support. By their very nature pocket springs are flexible and so some people may find sleeping on the edge of [a traditional PS mattress] gives them a ‘rolling off’ sensation. This is particularly true if you use a pocket sprung mattress for the first time after being used to an open coil system. Traditional top end pocket sprung matts use hand side stitching as an edge support, many of the mid ranges don’t use anything.
People who are looking to replace the mattress on their electric adjustable beds may also find this type of construction more beneficial than the usual slab of foam that is usually offered.
What are the downsides?
There are non as such although the retail prices of some models are excessively overpriced for what you are getting. The added weight can be a factor that should be taken into account. The depth of the finished mattress is usually greater than a traditional unit – a visual sign of the supposed quality and worth. Heat retention may also be apparent but there is no hard and fast data (openly available) to support this but logically it must be somewhat heat retentive. Nine times out of ten it will be used as a non turn, one sided mattress.
There are arguments that say the foam in a FEPS unit is taking the place of actual springs (on the perimeter) and so it is a cost saving to the manufacturer – Not really, the extra labour used to produce a FEPS unit is more of a cost consideration to the manufacturer than a few extra springs. Another argument says that because foam is used on the entire perimeter it decreases air ventilation. Probably. But as with most things, this is pure speculation without any available hard data. This is so trivial a potential concern it’s not worth worrying about as all foam is naturally self ventilating/aerating.
In short, a foam encapsulated pocket sprung unit is an ‘alternative’ to a traditional pocket sprung unit. With a FEPS unit a manufacturer can add a variety of primary layers and indeed additional springs to suit most budgets and markets - all being based on the same internal unit. The pocket springs themselves are generally the same as traditional units, a few exceptions are mattresses made specifically to be vac packed (smaller) or for more economical models where the spring height and turn is reduced to service a potential market.
Summary
Don’t think for one moment that because the retail prices of many FEPs units are rather high you will be getting a top quality mattress. These should be seen as a mid range construction method and always do your comparisons with traditional pocket sprung mattresses with similar primary layers.
The very slight downside of possible heat retention can be combatted with lighter bedding but the bonus of added longevity and comfort may make it worthwhile. When Memory Foam (as opposed to latex) is used as the primary layer then careful thought has to be applied to what you are paying for the mattress. Memory Foam does degrade well within five years (despite what a salesman will tell you) causing an uncomfortable and permanent dip and therefore the spring unit will far outstrip the usable life of the MF.
Do I need to clarify or expand any points? Please leave comments or questions below.
Hi, Iv’e got a question, I have ordered a Salus ‘Memory pocket 2000′ mattress, this was ordered from a local retailer, when we looked at it in the showroom It had on the label 70/75mm memory foam top with vertical ventilation and pocket springs.
What arrived today was not what we ordered, this one was marked as a ‘Latex memory pocket 2000′ and the label description was 2.5cm latex, 5cm memory and encapsulated pocket springs. I didn’t notice until delivery men had left. My question. Am I better off keeping this or accepting the replacement that has been offered (the originol ) I have searched for more information about this style of mattress but can find no answers, do you guys have the answer to this?
Sorry you won’t/didn’t get the sale but this Latex/memory combined thing appears to be new! So your opinion on this could be invaluable to others.
Many thanks Peter
Hi Peter. I would keep it. The combined depth of primary layer(s) are the same but the quality of the 2.5cm latex (Graphite Latex I believe) is fundamentally better than equivalent 2.5cm of memory Foam. The two models are structurally identical (bar fabric) except for the sleep surface. John and Ryan.
Hi guys
Well, we had another really good trawl round and seem to be converging on a potential solution! Regarding price we are looking at a budget of £900 to £1000 and attached the following list (in no particular order) …
1) Vi-Spring Traditional Bedstead £999
2) Somnus Connoisseur 4500 £899
3) Dreamworks Posture Superb 1700 £549 (bit of an outlier)
4) Sealy Posturepedic Venezia £949
Grateful for you comments as ever, and do you have any recommendations for a latex topper (for the “not being memory foam” and hypo-allergenic properties)? Our plan is to try with a good mattress protector first, but want to have a backup plan! Thanks!
Steve (and Liz)
Hi again Steve and Liz. Sorry for delay in replying – a lot of research and not too much time!
I am not going to bother with the Sealy or Dreamworks. Your choices are between the Vi Spring and The Somnus – and obviously our Artisan Naturals as the three viable contenders for your budget.
Ryan and I have cut open a Vi Spring Trad Bedstead. Springs are of course where your money is going – Calico encased and hand formed, strung together (Excellent) The insulator on top of the springs is bonded wool and cotton (1350gsm) and on top of this is blended wool and cotton (1800gsm in two layers). Same for the underside. In our opinion this build has no viable support and so people of even an average bodyweight will find it incredibly soft. When I lay on it (13st) it compressed far too much to be adequately supportive.
The Somnus Connoiseur [official description]
Only the best quality upholstery fillings are selected for their individual qualities, natural horsehair [How Much?] is laid over the springs for moisture wicking and acts like millions of springs with it’s long lasting bounce. Cotton and British wool are added in large quantities [how much?] [are they separate layers?] [Are they blended together?] for moisture absorbancy, being natural fibres they are extremely breathable. Hemptex [How much] and a select blend are good strong fibres [are these natural or synthetic?] and they add loft to the fillings.
The thing with Somnus is that there are no equivalent versions of their spring units (they are definitely not calico encased) However, even their vague description of fillings indicate a better mix than Vi Spring Trad Bedstead – but with the obvious lack of any weights it should spur you into asking a few more pertinent questions. The “large quantities” superlative is making me itch wanting to know what they class as large quantity. … (Somnus Customer Services 0113 2055200)
Somnus is the big wiser more educated brother of Harrisons. Somnus use Sensa Pocket Plus springs and Harrisons use Revolution (spring in spring) pocket springs. Which is better? Some of Harrisons models are well in excess of a couple of grand, and so are a few of Somnus models. What would Harrisons say is the better spring unit? (can you sense the anomoly?) Hope this helps. John and Ryan.
Hi guys
Many thanks for the super-swift response! We will follow your advice and try to find a few beds in our price range, but the pillow top section has already helped us decide on separate pocket sprung mattress and topper.
Will let you know how we get on.
Cheers! Steve.
Hi Steve. Glad to be of help. There are many aspects that Ryan and I take for granted and value the comments made by people like yourself who are looking for a new mattress and faced with such a bewildering choice.
An important thing to bear in mind that once you realise that many mattresses are ‘All fur coat and no knickers’ your choices become easier. Always remember the three initial steps to reduce the choice from 4000 to about 25 are:
1. PRICE: Compare what mattresses are available for the same price.
2. FILLINGS: Get the best fillings you can for that price by weight and depth.
3. SPRINGS: Only look at pocket springs and disregard the count. What they are actually called (Revolution, Reactive, Ultrasens etc and the number used is irrelevant until you come to make your final decision.
Good luck in your hunt and if you want our opinion on any aspect, you know where we are. John and Ryan.
We are looking for a new mattress for our king size divan bed.
We have had a look in a few stores and are, as your site suggests, somewhat bewildered by the choice! We quite liked the feel of the Breasley Salus 1500 but wanted to check out reviews before purchase and they do not appear good. Folk seem to be saying that foam encapsulated pocket springs are a no-no but I cannot find a justification for these statements.
We are keen on the idea of a topper having tried them out, but are worried about:
1. It being integral as there is not much you can do about it if you don’t like it (worried about getting too hot), plus how well do they last before going lumpy or getting a permanent memory and hence requiring replacement? So should we get as separate one and, if so, how do you stop it moving about?
2. Memory foam or latex? It appears latex is better? The hypo-allergenic properties are a consideration here.
We have a reasonable budget so we have also looked at Vi-Spring mattresses as well, but are then confused by those as well. Is it sacrilege to consider a topper for those as well, as it seems a quality mattress with a 3” latex topper would be ideal?
Any help gratefully received!
Hi Steve, Good questions. For a start off read the post on Pillow Top Mattresses.
We are in the process of introducing our FEPS latex topped mattress based on the Salus Memory Foam 1500 and 2000 models. As you have probably read on our site Ryan and I are not keen supporters of any Memory Foam mattress but use latex as a far viable component for a similar price.
Your thoughts on toppers are well founded. Ideally, the topper should marry up with the primary layer on the mattress. So a latex mattress would ideally have a latex topper. The depth does not have to be extravagant, 1cm or 2cm would be ideal. As well as adding further and additional levels of comfort, it also acts as the ultimate mattress protector. Once the topper becomes worn out from perspiration and nightly activity, the underlying mattress should be as good as the day you bought it. Our justification for this is Savoir Beds, Marshall and Stewart and Hastens as three of the most prestigious brands provide ‘toppers’ as standard on their top of range models – each replicating the primary layer in the mattress. To put a bottom sheet directly on to a mattress without any sort of protection is akin to wearing trainers without socks – It just should not be done.
I can sense your frustration, and so a good starting point for your potential purchase is to decide on your maxinum budget and see what is available for that price. Once you have five or so models for the same price you can then easily see who is offering the most mattress for your money. As a shameless plug, please use our models as a starting point. We do keep tabs on Bensons, Dreams, Argos and John Lewis and so we know what is available for a similar price to ours. Please let us know how you get on. John and Ryan.
Hi John and Ryan,
Thank for your reply, I still haven’t bought a mattress yet, still trying to choose from all the options available. I was looking at the Salus memory pocket 1500, but it seems to me that it’s a re-branded, and more expensive,Flexcell Pocket 1600 (not sure about the spring count though). If so, do you guys stock the Flexcell Pocket 1600?
Hi Dave, There are a few comments through the site addressing this question. As far as I know they are fundamentally the same aside from the fabric covering which is a faced microquilt on The Salus.
We not sell any memory foam matts as we think our latex models are far superior. However, if you are really adamant about going down the FEPS memory foam route there are plenty available on the net and it may be worth digging out the models that do not carry the Breasley branding to see if they are better priced. John and Ryan.
Hi
Thanks for the information,I found it very valuable as to my choice of mattress, just a quick question. Can you get a FEPS mattress without any type of primary layer and then add a memory foam topper which you can then replace once it starts to fail.
Many thanks
Dave
Hi Dave. Good question. I think there is a company who already does this kind of system, whereby you buy the mattress as a unit and when a particular layer wears out you just replace that particular part. I think they are Australian but if my memory serves me right it was rather expensive.
However, I suppose if you have a FEPS unit already with a memory foam / latex layer on top, it should not be that difficult to replace the worn out layer with a substitute or replacement. The springs should be in relatively good condition as would the foam ‘box’. The covering in many cases would be zipped and if neccessary this can also be easily replaced. The only problem I could foresee is removing the old memory foam layer as this will have been glued on to the FEPS unit to prevent slippage. Very interesting comment. Thank you. John and Ryan.