Hi Noblerise,
It’s nice to see someone who has done their “due diligence”. While as you know sometimes everything can seem very complicated at first … once the basic patterns of “how to look” and “what to look for” fall into place … things get much simpler :).
Some of the better independent factory direct manufacturers and retailers in and reasonably near Boston include …
http://www.spindlemattress.com/ Acton, MA. they are a factory direct manufacturer that offers component latex mattresses that use 100% natural continuous pour Dunlop in your choice of layering with a wool quilted cover. They are very knowledgeable, have long term “roots” in the industry, and would be well worth talking to or visiting if you are within driving distance of Acton. There are more comments about them in post #6 here and in this thread. They are also a member here which means I believe they compete well with the best in the industry in terms of quality, service, and value.
https://www.gardnermattress.com/products.asp Salem, Newton, Woburn, MA. They are a respected manufacturer that makes a range of mattresses that use high quality and durable materials including innersprings, latex, memory foam, and hybrids and include old fashioned two sided tufted innerspring/natural fiber mattresses. They have been making mattresses for over 80 years and are knowledgeable and completely transparent about the materials they use. They are also a member of this site and would be well worth including in your research.
http://www.worleybeds.com/ New bedford, MA. They are also a factory direct manufacturer that makes a range of mattresses of all types including 2 sided all latex. Good quality and value and they have been making mattresses for over 50 years. Knowledgeable and good people.
http://www.themattressmaker.com/ Brockton. MA. Makes a range of standard mattresses as well as memory foam, latex, gel foam and anything else. Uses high quality materials and has very good value. Focuses on educating customers about what makes a good mattress and is very knowledgeable and helpful. Will also custom build.
http://www.jordans.com/ Reading, Natick, Avon, MA; Nashua, NH; Warwick, RI. Regional manufacturer which has their own house brand which includes some “partly latex” models. Better than mass market outlets but not in the same range as some of the better local manufacturers.
http://www.bostonbed.com/ Boston, Cambridge, Framingham, Burlington, Stoughton, Lynn, MA. Company owned Factory direct outlets for Therapedic. Gel memory foam, latex, and traditional innersprings that use good quality materials and have good value.
http://www.factorydirectma.com/about.html Dracut, MA. Retailer that carries a range of Therapedic mattresses including memory foam, innerspring and latex hybrid mattresses.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bonnie-foam-rubber-and-products-allston Allston, MA. Foam supplier that will also make a mattress to your specifications from HD or HR polyfoam, 5 lb memoryfoam, or Talalay latex with a simple cotton cover. Call first to confirm their hours which may be shortened.
http://ecinindustries.com/index.htm Fall River, MA. Makes a range of mattresses including latex, memory foam, traditional innersprings, and a gel memory foam line on the way. They will provide foam density specs if asked but not as a “normal” practice. They are mostly wholesale manufacturers but they do have a factory direct outlet attached to the factory.
Bedworks Workshop Showroom Cambridge, MA. Makes a range of futon mattresses but also manufactures a line of memory foam and polyfoam mattresses (all foam) using high quality materials in both the comfort and support layers (5 lb memory foam and 2.6 lb HR polyfoam). Also makes a line of platform beds.
http://theorganicmattress.com/ Retailer in Sudbury, MA. Carries a range of latex and innerspring mattresses that use natural or organic materials including WJ Southard, Greensleep and VI Springs. They are all very high quality mattresses but also carry some premium prices so make some careful value comparisons here.
http://www.furnature.com/ Retailer in Watertown, MA. Carries Savvy Rest natural Talalay or organic Dunlop latex component mattresses although I would make some careful value comparisons because while they use great quality materials they are also in a higher budget range than other similar mattresses.
http://www.cardis.com/main/index.php S Attleborough, Swansea, Braintree, Hyannis, MA. Raynham, N Dartmouth, Fall River, Plymouth, Falmouth, Orleans, MA. Carries the Spring Air Nature’s Rest latex and latex hybrid mattresses.
http://www.gladstonefurniture.com/index.html Orleans, Hyannis, MA. Carries their own private label line that includes one and two sided innersprings and memory foam. They will provide foam densities on request.
http://www.flanaganmattress.com/ Hyannis, MA. Sells innersprings (including two sided) and memory foam from Symbol, Gold Bond, and Therapedic and has component latex layers available as well. Knowledgeable and experienced and some good value here as well.
http://www.donsmattress.com/home.html Medford, MA. Small manufacturer that appear to make old-fashioned innerspring mattresses that are tufted and use cotton and horsehair. Custom sizes. Hand-tied box springs.
There is also a smaller list for the Springfield, MA area in post #4 here.
At My Green Mattress, the evergreen uses 1" of HD polyfoam in the quilting while the natural escape uses wool in the quilting (instead of the foam). The “see inside” link for the natural escape has an incorrect description that makes them look identical. Other than that they are the same. The organic dreams uses all natural talalay for the core (middle) layer rather than blended talalay which is a more expensive and slightly more “elastic” material than the blend used in the other two. Because of the thicker comfort layer … this one would be well suited to most side sleepers.
You and your wife may do well with a similar construction as it happens. A back sleeper would normally start testing with about a 2" comfort layer while a side sleeper would normally start testing with a 3" comfort layer but your wife is much lighter which means that 2" may be all she needs for good pressure relief (depending on how “curvy” her profile is). If this is the case … then either the evergreen or the natural escape may be very suitable. The evergreen would have an “effective” comfort layer slightly thicker than the natural escape because of the foam in the quilting. I particularly like that they are all 2 sided which will increase the life of even long lasting materials like latex. Tim the owner here is very knowledgeable and helpful and his advice will also help you.
You have some very good options available and there is no doubt in my mind that you will be able to find a high quality and value mattress that works well for both of you.
If you have any other questions … feel free to post
Phoenix
PS: If you end up purchasing from one of the manufacturing members here … don’t forget to let them know you are a member here so you can receive your 5% discount 