Buying a latex mattress - store or Internet?

[phoenix]

Hi Quentin1,

two mattresses on display were 6 inches each, seemed way too thin for me.

6" of latex works well for many people (you certainly wouldn’t bottom out on it) but you also can add a topper on top of it as well if you need some extra softness on top.

I find it strange, tho, that the matress is just a big pillow case with 3 layers of latex. It didn’t seem “substantial” but was comfortable. Seems simple and I am thinking it should not cost 2500 but what do I know, right. The talalay mattress layer adds 300 bucks; I was also told that the talalay layer will wer out faster than the Dunlop given that it’s softer?

All mattresses are like this … basically a cover with various layers and components inside it that interact together to create the feel, support, pressure relief, and preferences that you want. Latex layers are among the most costly of all the foams and components that can go into a mattress but they are also among the most durable. You can read a little more about the different types of latex in this article and in post #6 here and some of the factors that affect durability in post #4 here. Softer materials generally soften faster than firmer materials but Talalay and Dunlop in the same ILD (firmness) are both very durable materials.

1. Is a 3 layer “movable” or “interchangeable” mattress completely fine or is one piece mattress with mattress cover that does not have a zipper preferable or a sign of a more solidly more stable mattress?

It would work well both ways and some of the pros and cons of each are in post #15 here. Loose layers provide some options to customize, re-arrange, or exchange layers which can certainly be a benefit either initially or down the road.

2. Since there are only 3 latex manufacturers, all latex than is pretty " commoditized". This should help comparison shop more easily? I just need to specify the ild for each layer, and the brand talalay or dunlop, and that is it? Or is there a wide differential between or among the recommended manufacturers? Will latex with same ild from various manufacturers feel exactly the same? If all I get is 3 cut latex layers and the zippered mattress cover, what is it that is actually “manufactured” then? They cut the latex only perhaps. Or am I wrong in my observation? Forgive me if I am being insensitive in any way; not my intent.

There are many more latex manufacturers than just three … closer to dozens. Only two of them (at least in the western world) make Talalay latex however (Latex international and Radium) and the rest make various versions of Dunlop. Three of them pour latex in the US (Latex International, Latexco, and Mountaintop) so maybe this is what they were referring to.

there is more about the different types of latex in this article and in post #6 here. There would be some differences in the formulations between each manufacturer but the main differences between then are in the manufacturing method used and blend of natural and synthetic latex that is used.

You can read about comparing ILD’s between different types of latex in post #6 here (Dunlop and Talalay are not directly comparable in practical terms). In most cases the ILD between Talalay will be comparable but ILD is only one of the factors that determine the softness of firmness of a foam and by itself can be misleading.

What is “manufactured” is the thickness is the thickness of the latex and the type of cover and how they all go together in specific designes … just like any mattress (which again is just components purchased from suppliers that go inside a mattress cover in various ways). a mattress really is only as good as its construction and the quality of the materials that go inside it and the label on the cover means little.

I like the thought of buying local - I feel I can get good service if something goes wrong? Perhaps it is worth the extra cost. Also, the overall “feel” is emphasized on this forum. So far, my best experience has been with the mattress factory mattress that is 6 inch talalay and 5 inch hr foam. If it feels right, why not go with that? Or am I not doing the right thing and should be considering an all latex mattress from an online manufacturer for essentially the same price or even cheaper. However, I CAN’T TEST DRIVE the mattress. Is this worth the gamble?

Each person has a different personal value equation which is all the objective, subjective, and intangible factors that are part of every mattress purchase. “Value” depends on what is most important to each person.

The “feel” of a mattress is very subjective and people who choose a mattress based on “feel” alone have a less than 50/50 chance of making a suitable choice in their long term experience (see the study here). While feel is important of course … testing for PPP using the more objective guidelines I have suggested in the “read first” post are much more likely to lead to a suitable choice. The choice between online and local (see this thread) has pros and cons for each and is just part of each person’s value equation.

Phoenix