Hi Daemon,
Welcome back to The Mattress Underground!
Clearly you have done some research, made some choices in the past and would like to head into a new direction with the next mattress. First you need to keep in mind, that the Tempur of today is not the same Tempur it once was. We can debate whether the change is good or bad, but essentially. the higher density foam they once used has been reduced in many cases. Mostly to reduce heat retention. With reduction in densities it can introduce so trade offs. If you were considering something like the Rhapsody, the @Tempflow Supreme Conforma may be a very close updated match. My opinion, forget Purple.
Since you and your wife have considered some various material preferences, your positive experience with the Rhapsody Breeze helps point us in a direction.
I’m going to discuss and encourage you to consider before committing to an all-wool mattress. I don’t normally use numbered lists, but in no particular order here are some thoughts.
1. An all-wool mattress will feel quite different from your Tempur.
Wool is an excellent natural fiber and one of my favorites along with horsehair and is among the best for moisture-management and temperature-regulating properties, but it doesn’t provide the same slow-response contouring and pressure redistribution as memory foam. Wool compresses under load, and over time it can compact, particularly in the areas bearing the most weight. I have a 3" organic wool topper that I have used on my very firm Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe. It functioned great on this mattress, although wool doesn’t conform like memory foam, it does compress and will develop “good” body impressions, when one a firmer system under it. Visually, the body impressions can look substantial enough that someone unfamiliar with wool might mistake them for a defect.
Given your disc injuries and your wife’s hip, shoulder, and neck issues, I’d pay particular attention to pressure relief and spinal alignment. Side sleeping generally requires enough cushioning around the shoulders and hips, while back and stomach sleeping can require different levels of support. Finding one surface that accommodates all three positions can be challenging.
A traditional all-wool mattress may be comfortable for some people, but I wouldn’t assume it will reproduce the feel of your Rhapsody Breeze, in my opinion, it likely will not.
2. Now, about sleeping hot
Wool can help manage moisture and moderate the microclimate around your body, which for many folks may be beneficial for those who sleep hot. However, sleeping temperature also depends on the mattress construction, bedding, room temperature, and how much you sink into the sleeping surface. An all-wool mattress isn’t automatically cooler than every foam mattress. Mattress protectors, duvet cover and insert all play a role in setup.
Since temperature is important to both of you, I’d ask manufacturers about the complete construction, including the ticking, quilting, and any fire-barrier materials, rather than focusing on the wool alone.
3. Mattresses will change over time
Wool compresses and settles over time. As I mentioned, this isn’t necessarily a defect, but it does mean that the initial feel may change as the fibers compact and visually it can look a bit awkward. Ask each manufacturer about expected compression, whether the mattress can be refreshed or re-carded, what maintenance is required, and what its warranty actually covers.
I’d also ask how the mattress is constructed internally. A mattress advertised as all wool may contain different grades or arrangements of wool batting, and construction can make a substantial difference to its feel and longevity. Some wool mattresses are machine compressed and tufted. This can affect the firmness of the mattress. Manufacturers like Shifman and Millbrook (and I am certain others do this process as well) will pile a substantial stack of wool and compress it down to less than half its original height to create either their comfort layer or topper. Unlike my hand stuffed wool topper.
4. Verify the materials and their origins.
Since you want to avoid polymers and China-sourced materials, I’d request a complete materials disclosure from each manufacturer. Specifically, ask about the country of origin of the wool, where the fibers are processed, where the mattress is assembled, the ticking and thread, adhesives, fire barriers, and any other components.
Also, distinguish between a mattress made entirely from wool and one that uses wool as its primary filling but contains other materials. Marketing terms such as natural, organic, and chemical-free aren’t substitutes for a detailed materials list. Wool itself is a natural protein fiber, but processing and other mattress components still matter.
5. How your wife’s interrupted sleep and mattress selection collide.
A mattress may help if discomfort or overheating is waking her, but difficulty staying asleep can have other causes. Since you mentioned snoring, it may be worth discussing that with a healthcare professional, particularly if it is loud or accompanied by gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing. A mattress change won’t address an underlying sleep-related breathing problem. Then again there are some considerations @InclineSleep offers some products that can adjust the angle you sleep which has be known to reduce snoring, improve overall sleep duration along with some other sleep benefits. There are also products like the Perfectly Snug Smart Topper. Yeah it is made with synthetic foam, but the product concept is to control the climate under the covers, via it’s heat sensors and dual fans, to keep the climate, drier and cooler when you sleep to help you sleep longer.
As you may know, our bodies follow a circadian rhythm that influences our core body temperature throughout the day and night. Getting too warm during sleep can contribute to discomfort and awakenings, which is one reason the temperature and humidity under the covers can matter so much. Sometimes the mattress itself is only part of the equation, and the mattress protector, sheets, duvet and overall bedding setup can make a noticeable difference.
This is where products like the Perfectly Snug Smart Topper become interesting. Yeah, it is made with synthetic materials, which I know goes against your preference, but the concept is to help regulate the temperature under the covers using sensors and fans that adjust the microclimate as needed. For someone who sleeps hot, it may be worth looking into as a separate approach to temperature management, rather than assuming a different mattress alone will solve the problem.
So you thought yours was a TL;DR, LOL
Before purchasing a costly all-wool king mattress, I’d try to establish which characteristics of your Rhapsody Breeze made it so successful for both of you. Was it the slow-response feel, deep pressure relief, reduced motion transfer, temperature management, or the way it supported your bodies in different sleeping positions? Those details matter because an all-wool mattress is a substantial departure and quite a different animal from memory foam. If avoiding synthetic materials is your priority, an all-wool construction may be worth exploring, but I’d want you to understand the differences before investing.
Of the manufacturers you’ve researched, I’d compare their actual internal constructions, material sourcing, firmness options, trial and return policies, and long-term maintenance requirements rather than relying on the material description alone. There are plenty of Trusted Members here at TMU, such as @OrganicBedroom, @PlankAndCoil, @Shepherds_Dream and @TheCleanBedroom to name a few that specialize in either all natural and mostly or all wool mattresses.
Finally, are you set on an all-wool mattress, or would you consider natural comfort materials over a spring support system? Clarifying may open up some options. This may help some of the TMs here make some solid recommendations.
Maverick