An ancient mattress, the mattress racket, and new bed in a box?

[Gomer]

@Phoenix

Latex is sneaky stuff too though as SleepEZ is calling it 100% natural latex. Which doesn’t exactly mean it came from a tree. It’s polyisoprene which is “synthetic natural rubber”. “Synthetic natural”, I learn something new every day.

Latex (either Dunlop or Talalay) that is made from natural rubber (from a tree) and doesn’t contain any synthetic latex in the formulation is generally referred to as 100% natural latex although there are also some other “ingredients” that are used in the formulation to make it possible to turn the liquid rubber into a foamed latex layer (see post #18 here).

Synthetic rubber used in latex formulations is Styrene Butadiene not Polyisoprene.

There is also more about the different types and blends of latex in post #6 here but any type or blend of latex is a high quality and durable material.

Really disappointed that the state of the industry/market is such that we are forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on something we’ll use more than anything else with no real idea what we’re getting.

If a retailer or manufacturer isn’t willing or able to provide you with the information you need to know about the materials and components in any mattress you are considering so that you know exactly what you’re getting and can make meaningful comparisons with other mattresses then I would avoid dealing with them at all. There are many retailers or manufacturers in the industry (including SleepEZ) who will tell you all the information you need to know about all the materials and components in their mattresses so you can make informed choices and know exactly what you are getting.

Phoenix

Phoenix, you really are too much. In a good way. Most of what I posted was a good natured rant. And I appreciate your thoughtful responses. A couple of specific things I wanted to focus on I’ve quoted above.

I have read a lot here, and have a good understanding of things. I am an informed consumer to a good extent due to the wealth of knowledge here.

But the other side of the equation is forthright retailers. That’s the mystery part. From what I’ve gleaned here, the DC area (Rockville / Gaithersburg) is a bit barren in that regard. And it shouldn’t be pulling teeth to compare things. There should be clear spec sheets and cross sections for all mattresses as a matter of course. And it’s a mystery because all bets are off until you’ve slept on the darn thing for a few weeks. And the pricing is more “what can we get away with” than what did it cost or is worth.

I digress.

Latex. I read a lot about latex. There is a wealth of information here, and on the SleepEZ website. Right now their organic 9" queen is cheaper than their 9" natural. That’s for 100% natural talalay latex. The cream of the crop.

There is a link to a certification letter found on this portion of the site:
https://www.sleepez.com/organic-latex-mattress.html?model=9000
sleepez.com/certifications/natural-talalay/latex-international-natural-formula.pdf
ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: sleepez.com/certifications/natural-talalay/latex-international-natural-formula.pdf

The cert letter says that it is "100% polyisoprene with no SBR". Now I’m familiar with polyisoprene because, having had relations with someone with a latex allergy, I know they make prophylactics out of it.

When I went to wikipedia to try to figure it out a little better, and on the synthetic rubber page:
Synthetic rubber - Wikipedia it lists under the ISO 1629 codes
Code: IR
Technical name: Polyisoprene
Common Name: (Synthetic) Natural Rubber

So that’s what threw me for a loop. Polyisoprene can be synthesized, or harvested from a tree and both considered to be “natural rubber”. More info here: Polyisoprene | Natural Rubber, Synthetic Rubber & Uses | Britannica

It may very well be that 100% of the 100% natural latex at SleepEZ comes out of a tree. It’s academic as far as I am concerned. But to an engineer, that certification leaves itself enough wiggle room that it might not all come out of a tree, and still could be called natural rubber per ISO 1629 if it’s made out of synthetic polyisoprene.

Thanks again for this wealth of info. I really do need to get on the horn with SleepEZ, STAT!