Have to pick from two mattresses: Latex Hybrid or Coil

[phoenix]

Hi Countrygirl,

I’m in Bend. I am back to the drawing board. I went back to the dealer today. I’ve ruled out the coil w/ latex top. I laid on the hybrid for quite some time and it’s the firmest one they have. I’m concerned that its too close to being at the “just right” firmness now, and as it softens up during the break in, then it would be too soft. I laid on a the all natural latex PLB that was supposed to be the firmest they have. It still didn’t feel up to my liking for starting out firm enough.

Do you know which model of the PLB was the firmest they carry? They may not even carry the firmest version (the Pamper) which for most people would be quite firm. I should also mention that the “all natural” versions of the PLB which use 100% natural Talalay are a fair bit more expensive than the “natural” version of the PLB which use blended Talalay and the blend would also likely be more durable in the lower ILD’s used in the comfort layers.

Latex also doesn’t go through the same degree of initial or ongoing softening as either memory foam or polyfoam so you would be much safer buying a mattress that was close to what you needed without anticipating foam softening than you would if it used either memory foam or polyfoam in the upper layers.

I looked at one of their coil mattresses that are made by the dealer and have they have been selling them for years. This extra firm traditional mattress has the least amount of polyfoam I could get on a mattress from the dealer. I feel better that at least its “proven” a little bit and not a new product for them. I have been looking at on line prices for a good natural latex topper.

This could certainly be a good option and they use 1.8 lb polyfoam which is more durable than the polyfoam used by the major manufacturers and it’s also 2 sided so this could be a very good base for a topper. Even a well made two sided mattress that uses higher density polyfoam in layers that aren’t too thick and where you don’t need a topper at all can last for a long time. Of course polyfoam isn’t as durable as latex but it also has a much lower cost and can be very good value.

I’ve been currently shopping with The Mattress Factory (local). I don’t want to rule them out but PLB is the only one they offer that isn’t $7000.00. I was wondering if you knew of any other local dealers (Redmond or Bend preferably) that carry natural latex that might be a decent product. Or an I crazy to think I will find natural latex for less than $4000? The PLB firm all natural is $2700. I just want it to be MORE firm. Unless you have any thoughts on the softening. I was somewhat suprised that they didn’t use dunlop in the core. The entire mattress is talalay.

I couldn’t imagine paying $7000 for a latex mattress. What make are they carrying that costs that much? I use some of the members here that sell latex mattresses online (see post #21 here) as a good “value reference”. I would normally add about 20% to the price of an online manufacturer to get to what I would call equivalent value locally (because a local purchase is less risky) but of course each person can decide for themselves on the local “premium” that they would consider to be roughly equivalent. As you can see … latex mattresses are available for under $2000 (depending on the size and amount of latex and other components in the mattress). Both Dunlop and Talalay can make a great support core (or comfort layer for that matter) although they have a different feel to them. This would be a matter of preference not a matter of better or worse.

Do you have other posts you could reference discussing break down, break in, softening,etc.

Post #2 here talks about the many factors involved in durability and post #2 here about the difference in aging and other durability factors between natural latex and synthetic latex.

All of these (NR, SBR, and blends) are superior to most other types of foam.

It was my understanding that a lot of people who turn out to be unhappy with the latex after the initial softening during break in bought a product that wasn’t firm enough to begin with. I haven’t ruled out the prospect of an inner spring w/ a topper, but I know I wouldn’t get nearly the life out of it as an all natural latex. And as I’ve previously experienced, polyfoam is almost impossible to find on an innerspring mattress, and breaks down SO easily. Good think you have warrantys, I guess,eh?

I think you are right that foam softening isn’t as big an issue with latex and that those that are unhappy with the softness of a latex mattress probably made an initial choice that used latex that has too thick or too soft comfort layers. An innerspring with latex in the comfort layers could be roughly as durable as an all latex mattress because the comfort layers are usually the weak link of a mattress. A latex topper on a suitable base mattress can also be a very durable choice although a topper will generally wear out a little faster than a similar layer inside a mattress.

I’m guessing also that you mean it’s almost impossible NOT to find polyfoam in an innerspring mattress … although with smaller manufacturers this would be much more common (no polyfoam in an innerspring mattress). I should also mention that in Talalay in lower ILD’s in particular … natural latex will not be as durable as a blend. Good quality polyfoam in the right design can also be a very durable material. It’s the low density polyfoam or its use in layers that are too thick that is the bigger durability issue.

Warranties are also mostly meaningless because they don’t cover the loss of comfort and support that comes from foam softening which is not considered a “defect”. you can find more of my thoughts about warranties in the first part of post #174 here.

I don’t have any more information about any other natural latex mattresses in the Bend area but If I have the chance I’ll see if I can track down any other options … although they may also be more expensive and blended Talalay may be a good direction to look as well (and may be easier to find).

Phoenix