I don’t have any comments on how it affects the feel of the mattress because I have not compared it to other covers/protectors. Also, I think my mattress cover/case and fitted sheet are not that stretchy either, so I can’t tell. However, I know that it is possible to get much thicker layers of wool in a stretch knit, if that is what you are looking for. For example, if you go to REI, and feel some of the thicker wool base layer fabrics, they are still stretchy. The St Dormier is basically two puffy terry cotton layers with a thin wool layer sandwiched in the middle. It is not particularly stretchy, but more “loose”, and also, the wool sort of acts like a lubricant that lets the terry layers slide.
Hi beanbag,
I think the main benefit of the St Dormeir vs other types that are similar is that it has less wool and is thinner and more stretchy than many other wool / cotton protectors and has less effect on the feel of the mattress.
I own the NaturaProtect Deluxe which is also a similar type or cotton/wool protector but it has more wool and the cotton that is on both sides of the wool is a sateen not a more stretchy terry like the Dormeir so it is thicker and less stretchy. It also has a semi breathable waterproof membrane used as a backing. Overall its greater thickness and lower stretch means it has a bigger effect on the feel of the mattress.
If I had to do it over again I would probably choose the Dormeir because it does what it’s supposed to do and is a thinner water resistant cover that has less effect on the feel of the mattress. Of course if someone wanted a protector that had more wool and the amount of wool was the most important factor then the Dormeir wouldn’t be the best choice but for me thinner and more stretchy would be my preference. There are also mattress pads available that have more wool than either of them.
I didn’t see a mattress protector on the REI site which is more focused on athletic or outdoor equipment and apparel so I’m not sure what you are comparing it to.
Phoenix
Just measured a 12" Drop Queen Protector total weight of 62.5 oz which if you divide by 3.7 square yards you get 16.9oz/yd. Now this is including the fabric (I did take it out of the package) and the skirt which is just one layer of the fabric and the elastic. When I calculated sample fabric’s without the skirt and the elastic I extrapolated a weight of around 13oz/yd. This is not on a perfectly calculated size of fabric. But I suspect that St. Geneves measurement of 250gsm is actually pretty close.
That being said I cannot explain the tag saying 16.4 oz of wool. But it does make sense to me that the fabric is likely about half of the weight of the protector.
When I said REI, I was talking about base layers, which are wool shirts and pants. Anybody can go there and see just what 150g/m^2 vs 250g/m^2 feel like.
Hi beanbag,
The material in wool shirts and pants wouldn’t be comparable to a mattress protector which uses compressed wool and cotton terry on both sides. If you used the same material they were using in their shirts and pants on a mattress it wouldn’t have the same properties, water resistance, or feel as the protector.
Phoenix
For what it’s worth, it looks like St. Geneve changed their website:
http://www.stgeneve.com/products/Protectors/Mattress/St.Dormeir-mattress.htm
Now says 150 gsm / 4.5 oz per sq yard
Hi dn,
Nice catch 
I guess that solves the mystery of the amount of wool they use.
Phoenix
After considering on using an old mattress protector we had ~2 years old with our new SleepEZ 10,000, my wife and I have decided to upgrade the mattress protector as well. After researching a bunch of different protectors we decided on the St Dormier mattress cover for the wool and cotton combination to help us get the most out of our latex bed.
I am hoping we find this fits our PPP for our new mattress.
Thanks all for your comments regarding the St Dormier.
I have a new memory foam mattress that sleeps very hot in comparison to my old inner spring mattress and I’m trying a St Dormier pad to see if it helps regulate temperature. I’m a small side sleeper so have a soft mattress & soft topper but still find it a little hard on the shoulders. Like the OP I was surprised to see how thin this pad is when it arrived. However I love the feel of it and I think it does provide a thermal layer that helps to wick heat away during the night. I also love how I can still feel the softness of the mattress under it but somehow it has taken away the slight rubbery feel of the foam. I guess the body loves natural products. Because it’s so light and stretchy though it doesn’t introduce any tautness at all but just a little more cozy softness. The tips that Phoenix gave for side sleepers (pillow behind back and one under free arm) sound great…will try tonight!
Hi Demeter,
Welcome to the Mattress Forum!:)!
Congrats on the St Dormier pad!
Yes, generally the issue of the sleeping microclimate on a mattress is a complex one. Heat and the inability to reposition, both tend to be characteristics of memory foam, especially when compared to previously sleeping on an innerspring mattress. Generally, Innerspring mattresses, do a good job of sleeping cool since they have less foam to trap heat in the mattress, but even so, some innerspring mattresses still end up sleeping hot depending on the very top layer of foam.
I am glad that you are enjoying new pad mattress combo and that it is just right, for you to still feel the softness of the mattress, You are correct that layers that are closer to the top sleeping surface will have the greatest impact upon comfort and sleeping temperature (including your mattress pad, sheets, and linen). There is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here.
Thank you for mentioning the pillow sleep tips for side sleepers for any other consumer members that are reading your post. Pillows are a very personal choice and different people will have very different pillow preferences or different opinions about what they perceive as firm and soft or the general type of pillow that “feels” good to them but some of the information in the pillow thread here and the posts it links to can help you choose a pillow that is the best “match” for you and the mattress you are sleeping on.
Thank you again, and let us know how it works out in the long term!
Phoenix
I, too, am disappointed in the St. Dormier mattress protector. I bought it based on the many reviews on this site stating how thin it is and how it would not interfere with the feel of the mattress. I wanted something made of natural fibres and was o.k. with water resistance rather than waterproofing, so it seemed like a logical choice.
The protector is well made and flexible/stretchy. Beanbag notes that it doesn’t contain much wool; I can’t comment on that, but the entire protector (wool/cotton combined) is VERY puffy – I measured mine and it is more than 1/2" thick. That’s not what I would consider thin by any stretch of the imagination! My membrane protector, by comparison, is only 1/8" thick, including the cotton terry top.
My mattress, thankfully, is wonderful as is, but, adding this protector significantly affected the feel. The additional padding transformed my plush mattress to a much firmer surface, so much so, that I could no longer lay comfortably on my side without feeling pressure. I would consider it a mattress PAD rather than a protector.
Additionally, this expensive protector cannot be returned – something I neglected to check before ordering online. I’ve now learned my lesson on that front!
I’ll be continuing to look for something thinner and made of natural fibers; perhaps a wool puddle pad? All the ones I’ve seen online are 1/4" thick and supposedly soft so perhaps would not add that extra bit of firmness that alters the surface feel. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has used one regarding that.
I’ll echo your comments here, the St. Dormier absolutely has an effect on the feel of the mattress. I use it on a latex hybrid mattress and for sure it feels firmer with the St. Dormier on, like 10% firmer. It also makes a noise, like a slight rustling sound. I imagine that will go away over time but that was the first thing I noticed when I laid down sideways. That said, it’s a fine product. It’s well made and it also keeps the fitted sheet in place better than other mattress protectors. Something about the way the material grabs is perfect for the application.
I also bought a CozyPure organic cotton stretch knit mattress protector and it’s really nice too. It has zero effect on the conforming ability of the latex and it is really comfortable. I use it more often than not. I like the fact that I can switch out the CozyPure with the St. Dormier if I feel like firming up the mattress a touch or just having a different feel for a while. Sometimes it’s nice to change things up. I don’t know if I would go to the extent to say the St. Dormier is a pad and not a protector but I think over time once it’s broken in more it will be more like what you and I were expecting.
I didn’t want to be $500 into mattress protectors but I’m glad I pulled the trigger on that cause the ability to adjust the feel of the mattress according to my preference is pretty great.
Hey Talalay,
Welcome to the TMU Forum! Like your user name, guessing you’re a “Talalay” fan ;)?
Congrats on your CozyPure mattress protector purchase, thanks for the kind words and for sharing your experience :cheer: ! Happy to hear you enjoy its “feel” and that it provides a simple solution for when you want a bit of change in the comfort of your mattress firmness. Thanks too for your support of our trusted member program, these manufacturers/ retailers offer superior products backed by thoughtful return/ exchange policies and excellent product support.
Hey @ClareMe, did you ever find a mattress protector solution since your last check-in?
Cheers,
Sensei
Which one did you get? The Cozypure website shows a Pebble Pique Organic Cotton Stretch Knit Mattress Protector and a DeVINE Organic Cotton Stretch-Knit Mattress Protector.
Also, do you put the protector directly on top of the latex? I’ve been putting my St. Dormeir directly on my latex topper because I found that the topper covers I tried added too much firmness when also covered with the St. Dormeir and my fitted sheet.
I got the pebble pique one. I don’t have a latex topper, I have a latex hybrid mattress from San Diego Mattress Makers so I put it over the entire mattress like one normally would. On a 13" tall cal king, after washing and drying it on delicate, it fits just fine. If the mattress were 3 or 4 inches taller because of a topper I think it would still fit.
Thanks, I was lurking in this forum reading posts when I bought the mattress so unfortunately I wasn’t able to take advantage of the program (since I wasn’t a member or aware of the discount) but the wealth if info here helped me find a great mattress locally at San Diego Mattress Makers which is head and shoulders better than mattresses at big box stores sold for double the price.
I gave up on the idea of getting a mattress cover without plastic in it since they all seem to be too thick or change the feel of the mattress too much for my tastes. I had tried a couple of other waterproof covers which fell apart on first washing, so I wound up trying Gotcha Covered. It’s the nicest waterproof cover I’ve used – very thin, no rustle or noise, washes well, and has a soft feel. Protects the mattress from spills too (I tested it!).
I wonder if you received the correct product? I just received this – and it is way less thick than 1/2 inch thick (I washed it first before using). It is, at MOST, only 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick - if that. It is very thin. It is definitely a protector – not a pad. Less thick than the all cotton Bloomingdale’s protectors I have used in the past. Very thin wool with thin terry cloth on top.
Yes I received the correct product – in original packaging with all labels attached. Maybe I got one that was puffier than others, but the surface feel is affected more by the tautness and firmness of the protector than the depth and it definitely made a difference in my ability to feel my mattress through the protector. I guess we all have our own sensitivities!
Is the Gotcha Covered cover still holding up? I’m torn over going waterproof or with something like St Dormier/CozyPure