Hello guys, thanks for having me.
I’ve read all the guides on this website as well as gone into a couple mattress places to do the tests recommended for discovery of preference (as much as I could with a salesman breathing down my neck the whole time.)
I’d like some input/advice now that I’m closer to pulling the trigger on something.
First, some background information:
- Two sleepers (wife and I), both side sleepers (exclusively): 6’3" ~175-180 lbs. & 5’4" ~128 lbs.
- Budget: willing to pay whatever it costs for the best quality possible
- Desired Size: King
- Special considerations: I have fairly broad shoulders, arm often goes numb on my current mattress (piece of crap memory foam), so pressure points are on the mind as especially important to me. I also sleep very hot, so that’s important to me too.
Preferences:
- We both prefer soft cushy comfort layers (currently have a low quality memory foam topper on a traditional innerspring mattress)
- We both liked the 3" Talalay latex comfort layer on the mattress we tried in store yesterday (link: Mattress & Box Spring Sets - Serenity Latex Mattress Set): made up of 1-inch, 19-ILD Talalay and 2-inch, 24-ILD Talalay. But I did feel as though my should area wasn’t sinking in enough? So maybe something even softer?? And there didn’t seem to be quite enough support (probably because of the crappy 2.5 lb/ft³ density foam core they used as the support…)
- They did not have a full latex construction mattress there to try, but we found we preferred the one above (latex comfort layer + memory foam support) to a latex comfort layer + innerspring support construction. This leads me to believe we’d probably like a full latex construction.
- We liked the more stretch knit constructions more than traditional pillow-top ones.
Now for some questions
At a high level, I’m still a bit confused whether all Talalay would be best if money is no object (with different levels of firmness in the support and comfort layers accordingly of course) or if it would actually be better to lean into Dunlop’s inherently firmer properties and do Talalay in the comfort layer and Dunlop for the support.
Secondly, I do think we ever so slightly like the feel of memory foam a bit better than latex in the comfort layer, but I’ve assumed at this point that the difference between the two is negligible if high quality materials are used and that the downside of heat retention with memory foam, along with the better alignment/support of latex really just exclude memory foam from even being considered?
Thirdly, I’ve looked at all latex quotes from a few websites listed here in the community but am unsure where to lean. The idea of a variable construction from Flobeds Vzone sounds nice in theory (even if its way more expensive) but then on the guide, it says that usually more than 2-3 zones is often unnecessary and can even create more discomfort than necessary?
As far as the other sites I’ve looked at go (Arizona Premium, Sleepez, DIY Mattress) I do like the idea of having a bit more customization, and most of their finder tools seem to indicate my wife and I would both best be served by a soft, then medium, then firm latex construction (though if I add 5 lbs. it changes mine to medium for the comfort layer for some reason?) But how would one narrow done further from these options if we’re just going differential construction?
Finally, I had a couple random questions not as related. Is a boxspring necessary? We have a more platform-bed style with slats, but the mattress guy seemed to indicate that wasn’t a good choice and that we’d need a box spring (but he also said he’s never heard of an all latex construction and that they don’t exist- so I wonder if he’s full of crap on this matter too lol.) And then, what’s the deal with adjustable beds? Is there really any value in making your mattress lean up and down in various spots rather than being flat?
Thanks in advance for any help offered!