I have never ordered a mattress before and have never slept on a memory foam mattress. I couldn't decide whether to order soft or medium but decided on soft. I love the mattress. It feels pretty soft if you are standing beside it and push on it with your hand, but when lying on it, it feels supportive and not as soft. I am sleeping better than I have in a long time. I've been using it for about a month. It did not have any chemical smell whatsoever. I live in Florida and always have a fan on when sleeping, and since I can't compare it to a regular memory foam mattress (having never slept on one), about the cooling gel I can only say I do not sleep too hot, except during the recent hurricane when the electricity was off! Very happy with purchase! I also have back problems and although not better in that respect, I am sleeping very well. To me it was well worth the price compared to the name brands, and I also like that it was made in the USA!