Cool forum here. I’m from Australia and currently looking for a new mattress after 12 years on a half decent one. My previous was I believe to be a typical bonnell spring, with about 5 inches of what seems to be multi-layered PU foam + a 1cm latex in between those. Over time it has sagged and the last few years have been a lot of disturbed/interrupted sleep. No major pain that I’m aware of, however I have neck/shoulder tenseness and pain that could be from my desk job/sleep.
Now that the background side of things is out of the way I’m currently researching for local mattress makers in AUS. Not going to well so far, have a few ideas but nothing solid just yet.
Mattress choice I’m leaning heavily towards pocket coil with latex pillow top. No memory foam, no PU foam at all. I’m a side sleeper little on the heavier side, about 200lbs, I have a bit of knee issues, with my current mattress when I sleep on my side when the legs/knees overlap, I feel the pressure on the bottom knee (the side I’m leaning on) and it feels like I’m not getting enough support.
I was considering something similar to what Arizona Premium Mattress company was doing with their zipped latex/pocket spring hybrid DIY set up. It’ll probably cost an arm and a leg to get it over to Australia though… Looking for something similar in AUS, I can only get mattresses already made, with either 2" or 3" dunlop latex on top. Would 2 inches or 3 inches of latex on top of pocket coil be enough for my weight?
Edit: Currently looking at a coil spring + latex mattress from a different state that has a 3 inch medium or firm 100% natural latex, dunlop manufacturing process, been told that the springs are sourced from an Australian company. The store recommend me to get the firm dunlop latex due to my weight. I was thinking of more of a medium as I came from a soft mattress.
I’ve roughly read the mattress choosing threads and most of the general information, but any further advice is appreciated.
Thanks for joining us all the way from Australia and for your kind words on the site, TH12. Congrats to you also on your new mattress shopping journey! Hope you find the resources here useful for your research and for your decision making process. From your description of your current mattress’s gradual “sag” of late, sounds like your “half decent one” is likely ready for retirement after 12 years of service.
[quote]Mattress choice I’m leaning heavily towards pocket coil with latex pillow top. No memory foam, no PU foam at all. I’m a side sleeper little on the heavier side, about 200lbs, I have a bit of knee issues, with my current mattress when I sleep on my side when the legs/knees overlap, I feel the pressure on the bottom knee (the side I’m leaning on) and it feels like I’m not getting enough support. Currently thinking about how thick I would need the latex to be? At first I was considering a mix of 3" medium density dunlop latex with maybe 2" soft on top. However most places here either do a full latex, or simply do a pocket springs with about 2 inches of latex on top. I’m worried that if I get too thick of latex I’m not getting the right support, and if the Latex is too thin, I’ll feel that it is too firm.
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Very good; you have narrowed your preferences down to a latex/ hybrid mattress. Do you have access to local manufacturer/ retailer showrooms that practice safe COVID measures where you could test and compare mattresses of interest? You do mention elsewhere in your post that you’ve had some conversations with several, just wondering if store visits are an option.
[quote]Edit2: Currently looking at a coil spring + latex mattress from a different state that has a 3 inch medium or firm 100% natural latex, dunlop manufacturing process, been told that the springs are sourced from an Australian company. The store recommend me to get the firm dunlop latex due to my weight.
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You haven’t mentioned your height, only your weight being 200 lbs. As with higher BMI sleepers, you’ll want to make sure the mattress’s component materials meet the minimum quality/durability specifications relative to your BMI suggested in Phoenix’s “Mattress Materials- Durability” guidelines. Dunlop latex is often used in the comfort layers of a mattress, providing a supportive, firmer feel than other foams, as well as durability over time. For those following your research and curious about Latex foams’ use as a comfort layer material, Phoenix’s “Mattress Comfort Layers- Latex Foam” is a helpful resource.
[quote]edit: I’ve had a few conversations with mattress makers/retailers here that aren’t the typical retail chain store, it seems like they have something against making the combo of pocket coils + latex only with no other foam, they always seem to add some kind of memory foam or base layer foam, making me a bit skeptical of those places. Can anyone also mention if there’s any reason why it’ll be ‘bad’ to have pocket springs then latex only on top?
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A base foam layer (memory foam or other PU foam) provides stability to the pocket coil system, allowing the coils to “activate” when they compress against a solid surface. All reputable manufacturers would include some type base foam layer to the pocket coil system for added stability.
Looking forward to hearing more on your research, TH12 and good luck .
Thanks for your response. I definitely do agree that it’s time I change my 12 year old mattress! Last few nights ever since I made this post, I’ve been noticing more discomfort as I try to fall asleep.
Unfortunately I do not know a specific retailer that I can visit in my state (QLD/Queensland) that actually make a latex hybrid like this that I can visit. I do however have one place in mind that I might check out this weekend, they make a lot of mattresses, called Dial-A-Bed, and they might have something I can at least get a feel for? https://www.dialabed.com.au/
My biggest concern going to a latex hybrid mattress is because of this reason, I’m yet to be able to find someone local I can go and test the feel, I’ll be going in blind, which is the exact reason why I can’t decide whether I need to go with a firm, or better with medium ( forgot my height, I’m about 5’8 mostly side sleeper) Another thing in Australia is, for some reason nobody seem to use Talalay latex, everyone I spoke to is all about Dunlop.
I have a cross section attached sent by a manufacturer in a different state that I was talking to. It should be 100% natural latex in 3 inches, with pocket springs sourced from an Australian company, Have no idea how I can tell if the material used seems good or not.
Looks like dial-a-bed does something similar in their Dallas and couple of other range. However there are no specifications as to the thickness of latex used and what other materials are in there.
What’s the general consensus on ‘zoned’ latex vs non-zoned latex? Here’s an image from their website, seems like a lot of their hybrid latex mattresses are zoned dunlop latex.
I hate to do this… As I don’t believe I can edit my post, another update after more talking to dial-a-bed and found out that they can do 2 inches of latex + pocket spring system, but it’s probably not something they already have on the show floor.
The other company with the cross section 3 inches of latex + pocket spring mattress insists on me getting a firm rather than medium, they have about 304 springs per metre square.
could you also elaborate a little bit more on your response regarding how some mattresses have foam layers to activate the pocket springs? Technically what’s the rough minimum amount of foam required to ‘activate’ pocket springs? Can latex not do archive this?
Thanks for your reply and my apologies for the delayed response .
For whatever reason TH12, Talalay latex is not as popular in Australia with the manufacturers as Dunlop latex and therefore is not manufactured there. A. H. Beard Mattress carries mattress brands featuring Talalay latex, one of the lines that comes to mind is Nature’s Rest. According to A.H. Beard’s web site, this location (may be close to you) may be of help, you could always give them a call:
Betta Home Living Chinchilla
99 Heeney Street, CHINCHILLA QLD
07 4662 7705
Appreciate the pic upload but to your point exactly, without any supporting product specs, there is no way to evaluate the mattress construction’s durability. Can they provide you specifics on the model you’re considering? You may want to refer to Phoenix’s article “Finding a Great Mattress Outlet”, specifically the section regarding making phone calls before store visits. Here you will find a list of useful questions for the manufacturers you wish to visit; this will help you better assess the construction/ durability concerns of mattresses you have interest in.
‘Zoned’ vs ‘non-zoned’ mattresses makes a good marketing story. If one of your concerns is that you need a firmer area for more support, a zoned mattress may address that. You may find Phoenix’s thoughts on zoned construction of interest, check them out in this article, “An Introduction of Zoned Mattresses”. Latex by nature offers good support for most people.
The block foam at the bottom of the pocket coil support layer serves to stabilize the coils, supporting them in reacting correctly to vertical pressure from above. Latex could be used here; however, it is an expensive premium foam. Using it as a bottom layer to achieve the same purpose as a lesser expensive PU foam would only serve to increase the cost of the mattress with no difference in having it serve that function.
Looking forward to hearing how your research is going… .
My mattress search journey is coming towards the time where I make a decision. Honestly to me, quality of the product is important, and I also base that off my interaction with the company.
Talking with another company from a different state, I believe they make pocket spring mattress with 2 inch natural dunlop latex. The owner himself is very hands on, and is very confident (without being cocky) about this product. I’ve had very good conversations with him about mattress and he’s looking at creating something similar to Arizona Premium Mattress Company and their zipped cover design.
We’ll be in contact again soon to talk in more details about this product. At least that way if I know I’m not 100% about the feel of it, I can always work with him to exchange the latex comfort layers.
I guess a general question, how would one tell if a mattress has “too much foam”, I mean for a latex hybrid (pocket springs), what’s the general difference from like say 2" vs 3" latex? I’m worried about not having enough foam to sink into before I hit the springs.
Good work on your research, TH12! Glad to hear that you have confidence in your manufacturer contact and that he seems willing to personalize something for your needs. As long as you have a solid understanding what your comfort exchange/ return options are in advance, as well as any costs involved, you should be good to go and be sure to ask for those in writing as well.
[quote]I guess a general question, how would one tell if a mattress has “too much foam”, I mean for a latex hybrid (pocket springs), what’s the general difference from like say 2" vs 3" latex? I’m worried about not having enough foam to sink into before I hit the springs.
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A 3" latex transition layer over the coil support system would ensure you wouldn’t “bottom out” and sink into the coils too deeply. That said, either 2" or 3" are often used, you could consult your manufacturer as well. Good luck with your research and looking forward to hearing how your DIY goes .
At this stage the manufacturer from a different city is unsure about his set up just yet (he’s coming up with a new product), but due to the fact that in Australia, getting things from a different city isn’t as cheap and straight forward as the US, I’m a little bit concerned about the whole process.
I’m starting to lean towards Sleeping duck. They’re a pretty popular Mattress-in-a-box company here. They have a zip outer cover for their Mattress that makes it somewhat viable to me in the future if I ever wanted to buy my own Latex and have them shipped.
My question is you are able to so kindly assist me with is I see a lot of Ebay sellers from the US selling Latex pieces in 2/3inches, How do I know if they’re reputable/quality latex? Is here any recommendation of direct purchase of Latex on this forum? Would anyone have any idea? Here’s what i’m referring to: natural latex topper for sale | eBay
I checked out Sleeping Duck’s site as I’m not familiar with the brand. They offer a 100 night satisfaction guarantee with a 30 day minimum sleep trial before exchange/ return process can be initiated, with a limit of one exchange per household during the 100 day period. Sleeping Duck is quite specific about the type bed base used with their mattress in their warranty conditions, you would want to ensure that isn’t an issue before purchase.
Products listed should be new, have correct product consumer product law labeling, and in original packaging as well. For any Ebay seller you are considering, review carefully their product certifications, specs and return/ exchange policies (I see from this list that at least one seller does not accept returns). Look too for the source of the latex offered; trusted latex producers are located in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand. Generally speaking, I would avoid Ebay sellers of Chinese latex manufacturers as it is virtually impossible to know whether these products are produced with the same quality standards as Southeastern Asia/ Europe/ U.S. manufacturers are made.
In Australia, you may consider may want to consider contacting these latex manufacturers for your DIY: Dunlopillo, A. H. Beard, or Dentons. Hope this helps and looking forward to hearing more as you continue your research .
! Thanks for your question.
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