Help me choose a mattress with latex comfort layer.

[phoenix]

Hi Dan1979,

1. I do understand the difference between 100% natural, natural and pure latex, however, I didn’t find information that I could trust regarding the organic/non organic latex. Is it really needed, what are the risks, which should I chose to be safe.

Almost all latex whether it is Talalay or Dunlop and 100% synthetic, blended, 100% natural, or organic is certified to the same standard (Oeko-Tex or other similar protocols) for harmful substances and offgassing and I would personally consider all of them to be “safe”. You can read a little more about the different types of latex including organic in post #6 here and there is more about GOLS certified organic latex in post #2 here. The importance of organic is really a matter of each person’s person’s personal criteria and beliefs rather than an issue of performance or safety.

2. If I were to go with a full latex mattress, what are the thicknesses of all the layers to ensure a quality comfort and longevity?
   All I could find is that top layer should be soft 100% natural talalay latex of 3 inches thickness. But this is just a guess, no pertinent information around. Also about the core, I was unable to find proper information about what thickness is needed or any other details. Also, total thickness of the mattress?

Post #2 here include links to some of the theory and concepts but these are generic guidelines and not specific to any individual. There is no formula that applies to individuals. In most cases somewhere between 6" and 12" in various layering combinations would be suitable and the most common configurations are usually in the 8" to 9" range. The choice of materials in each layer would be based on which design performs best for you and there certainly isn’t any should or shouldn’t. Both Dunlop and Talalay in either blended or 100% natural can be used in any layer from top to bottom and some will prefer one and some the other. If a latex mattress of any type provides you with good PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) then it’s suitable for you and almost every configuration you can imagine would be some people’s favorite. You can read a little more in post #14 here about some of the potential benefits of greater thickness.

3. If I were to chose a polyfoam core, what is the best choice as money/year? Is a polyfoam with a 2 lbs density a poor choice? What other detail should I take into consideration about this?

Everything depends on the design of the entire mattress and the circumstances and use that it’s being put to because every layer affects every other layer. In most cases questions that take each layer in isolation without the context of the many other interacting factors involved can be somewhat limiting. The support layers are not generally the weak link of a mattress and the usual guideline would be in the range of 1.8 lb polyfoam or higher in a base layer with less being OK in certain circumstances or with certain uses and higher being the preference in others. If you are in the range of about 2.0 - 2.2 lbs or higher you will have a very high quality base layer that almost certainly won’t be the weak link of the mattress in almost any circumstances. “Best” always depends on the person and the specifics of the circumstances and mattress design.

4. If I were to chose a pocket spring core, what other details should I ask for in order to ensure longevity? What type of material should be used and what properties should it have for the edges of the bed? I got a friend who got pocket springs core but the edge of the bed collapsed, making it impossible to sleep near the edge of the bed.

An innerspring … like a good quality polyfoam base layer … isn’t likely to be the weak link of a mattress. Each type of innerspring can work very well in a certain set of circumstances and with a specific design. You can read a little more about innersprings in this article and in post #10 here but in general I would choose any innerspring where the mattress that used it met all the criteria of your personal value equation. Steel edge support using reinforcing clips or stronger thicker coils at the edges of a mattress is stronger than foam edge support but also more costly (steel is more costly than foam).

Phoenix