2" talalay over Dunlop OR 6" Talalay over quality poly-which would be preferable?

[phoenix]

Hi Janvee,

I am surprised to learn that with all Talalay, I like extra firm base with soft top layer. I’d like to spend less though. I found on Sleep EZ site they offer a special that is comprised of two 3" layers of Natural Dunlop with a 2" top layer of Blended Talalay. $1245. This does not include the better wool cover but only a simple knit but of course I would be using a mattress cover anyway.

Just to clarify … the SleepEz special uses Dunlop for the base layers and 100% natural Talalay for the 2" comfort layer (not blended Talalay).

My question is: would it make sense for me to look at this because I like that firm core…am thinking that Dunlop would be fine for me as opposed to the more expensive all Talalay?

This would be a preference choice based on which type of latex you preferred (they have a different “feel”) because both Dunlop and Talalay come in a range of firmness levels (including very firm) although Dunlop does tend to feel firmer than Talalay in the same ILD because it gets firmer faster as it compresses more deeply.

Blended Talalay and 100% natural Dunlop are typically in about the same price range. The 100% natural is generally more costly than both of these. You can read a little more about some of the different types of latex in this article and in post #6 here.

Would 2" soft top layer be enough to create a “surface plush” experience? (I could always add a topper, I see BB has good prices for toppers). Still would seem rather decent pricing, no?

This would depend entirely on the firmness of the 2" layer, the firmness of the layer below it, your body type, your sleeping positions, and your perceptions. The question is really too general for me to answer without a lot more information and specific feedback and reference points of latex mattresses you have tried.

Layer thickness is just as important a part of the surface “feel” of a mattress as the softness of the layer and if all the layers were identical then a 2" soft comfort layer over firmer layers below it would feel firmer for most people than an identical mattress with the same ILD in a 3" layer. The quilting and cover will also make a difference in how a mattress feels and the Alow Alexis has a quilted cover which would have a different affect on the feel of the mattress and the latex below it from the stretch knit cover in the SleepEz Special.

The pricing of the SleepEZ special is very good yes and they sell this as an introductory mattress at “special” pricing with lower margins (see post #2 here).

in similar price range: I still have the Aloe Alexis/Aloe Adelle on my short list; How would 6" latex over poly compare to 2" latex over dunlop?

Most of what you initially “feel” on a mattress would be the top layers but the comparison between them would depend entirely on the specific firmness choices you made. Each different firmness choice either in a comfort layer or in the deeper layers is in effect a different mattress and only you can really know how they compare based on your own experience. You can also read a bit more about the difference in feel between Dunlop and Talalay in post #7 here but this is all very subjective and comparisons will vary widely between different people and individual perceptions.

In terms of quality, durability, and performance, latex is a superior material to polyfoam in any layer of a mattress although you will also “feel” the deepest layers less than the upper layers and latex is also more costly than even high quality polyfoam.

All of these choices really depend on your preferences and on the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.

You are looking at some very good options which means that final choices can be difficult

No matter which direction you go it would be a good quality/value choice with good options for adjustment or exchange if you make the wrong comfort choice.

Phoenix