Hi Quentin1,
There are quite a number of posts around the forum that comment on all latex mattresses of various designs and they are all a very high quality choice. Of course it’s also important to have some level of confidence that the one you choose is suitable for you in terms of PPP and local testing or more detailed conversations with the manufacturer is always important. There are also many of the online members here that make all latex mattresses and they have different options in design and customization and the ability to re-arrange or exchange layers which can also be an important part of your personal value equation. In terms of value all the members here are among the best value available and are knowledgeable and expereienced and I wouldn’t hesitate to make a purchase from any of them.
I think in terms of design the mattress from mattressfactory would be similar to the Aloe Alexis although there may be differences in some of the components such as the cover and quilting materials or the type and blend of the latex. Both use high quality materials. Other than that you can compare them in terms of all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
I would decide based on personal preference. They are both very high quality and durable materials and are suitable for use in any layer of a mattress. You can read a little more about the different types of latex in post #6 here and a little more about how they compare in “feel” in post #7 here (although I would suggest testing both of them whenever possible because “feel” is subjective).
The wool would be a “value bonus” for those who preferred to sleep on a thin layer of wool for its temperature control benefits and the extra cost of adding it to the quilting. The quilting includes both the wool and a thin layer of polyfoam and will modify the surface feel and response of the latex underneath it. Some people prefer a quilted cover and some prefer to sleep directly on the latex and like it’s more resilient feel without any modification of quilting layers. You can read a little more about wool in the quilting in post #6 here and more about quilted covers in general in post #2 here. Outside of any differences in quilting, a cotton poly blend and bamboo are both good quality covers and you can read a little more about some of the comparisons between cotton and bamboo (which is one of the viscose type fibers) in post #7 here. Ticking fabrics come in a very wide array of different types and quality levels and when you are down to the level of detail that is comparing covers then it’s best to ask each manufacturer why they chose the specific cover they did and it’s benefits because they will be much more familiar with the specifics of their cover than I am.
Yes … the uncertainty and risk of an online purchase vs a local purchase that can be tested ahead of time and the options avaelable after a purchase is one of the factors that each person needs to consider as part of their personal value equation and each person may have a different risk tolerance and place a different value on a local purchase vs an online purchase although both can make a good quality/value choice.
Phoenix