Mattress recommendation?

Okay, so after we watch the Torch Parade, DH and I are going mattress shopping.  We really haven't a clue what to look for.  I don't really understand what makes some mattresses 200 and some 2,000 pounds.  We know we don't want a memory foam, we know we prefer a "firm" mattress and we know we like the kind that have a thick pillow-top, but that is it. Also, besides Sealy, I've never heard of these other mattress companies.

I found a mattress review/comparison site, but it won't load for love nor money!

Any recommendations what to look for?  Hubby has a bad back.  We also hate anything that would make us hot (he's like sleeping with a hot water bottle, and I'm only a few years away from menopause. 

We also don't want to spend a fortune because we may get a bigger bed in a couple years.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Which? says that among retailers, Dreams, Argos and Bensons for Beds are the WORST and John Lewis and Warren Evans are the best. Ikea are in the middle, but have been improving, and are among the least expensive. The highest rated brand was VI-Spring, but they are expensive. Tempur was 2nd, but you don't want memory foam, so that's not an option for you.

"Earning 71% in our satisfaction survey, Ikea has improved its customer score for the second year in a row, after scoring 56% in 2010 and 63% in 2011. Ikea remains in the bottom half of our table, but is moving up and gaining more positive comments. It's also one of the few brands to get a four-star rating for value for money, along with Marks and Spencer, Millbrook and Sleepeezee."

After years of disappointment with mattresses in the US, we came to the conclusion that price does not equal quality, and none really live up to the hype. Find something you are comfortable with, and plan on changing it more often. And spend a LOT of time actually lying on the mattress in the store, in clothes as near to what you would typically sleep in as possible. Mattresses all feel good initially.

I'm having the same problem! The mattress we have now gives me horrible back and neck aches which result in massive migraines in the morning for me! I have bad neck and back problems from an accident I had and before moving here, I had a nice sleep number bed that I can not rave enough about! It was AMAZING!! Never an ache and a wonderful nights sleep always! Here, I'm constantly tired because I can't sleep at night in my bed. Sometimes I just sleep on the couch because it's more comfortable! So I'm on the look out as well and maybe IKEA is where I will look then according to the review! Thanks for the heads up!

Thanks, Vadio.   That is the same site (Which ?) that I couldn't get to load for love nor money, so I appreciate it.

We did find a mattress, but you are right, we just had to go and lie on them all. I tried not to look at the price signs (which wouldn't necessarily have told me how much the mattress was, because most of them were for the bed/mattress combo). I just wanted to be able to test the mattresses without any preconceived idea that "this one"  should be better than "that one" because it's 3x as much.

Amberelle - we have long suspected that my DH's migraines are due, in part, to the neck/back ache and poor night's sleep.  I, too, had a bad accident before moving here.  So we all need to find something comfy.   We got an orthopedic mattress, pillow top, pocket coils. It felt very good in the store, but I guess only time will tell when we actually start sleeping on it.  Good luck in your search.