Hi Mikep,
Just for reference and in case you decide to do some additional local testing on other mattresses … the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in and around the San Francisco/San Rafael/Oakland/Berkeley areas (subject to making sure that any mattress you are considering meets the quality/value guidelines here) are listed in post #2 here.
[quote]CozyPure - monozone 9in $1999 or 10in $2399 with the $698 LaNoodle topper, maybe the hotel package for $3299 since it has the LaNoodle topper
Flexus Comfort - 9 in $1645 or 10 in $1795, 3" natural talalay topper with cover $600
Flobeds - 9in $2399, topper is $499
SleepEz- 9in $1950, 10in $2195 or 13in $2495. Might buy 9in or 10in and buy the 3in topper 100% natural talalay for $513[/quote]
As you know these are all members of this site which means that I think highly of all of them and you are certainly looking at some great quality/value choices.
I would keep in mind that there will likely be a range of different designs that are in a similar overall firmness range even though they may use different layering combinations that may be just as good a “match” for you in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) as the mattress you tested at Nest Bedding.
Having said that … if you have two mattresses that use the same type and blend of latex layers and each layer is the same thickness and firmness level (rated in either density or ILD) and they have a similar cover then both mattresses will be very similar in terms of how they feel and perform but you would need to find out the firmness of each of the layers in the mattress you tested to be able to “match” it with similar layers in another mattress.
When you can’t test a mattress in person then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart (which would certainly include all of the manufacturers you listed) and who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and “feel” of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc) and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about “matching” their specific mattress designs and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else.
It will depend to some degree on the amount of fill in the shredded latex topper and on the type and shape of the latex particles (different particle sizes and shapes will affect the feel of the topper) but in general terms they would be softer and feel more “fluffy” than a solid topper. The latex pieces would tend to move away from pressure to some degree while a solid latex layer would only compress under pressure. The shredded latex would be somewhat “in between” the feel of a featherbed and a soft solid latex topper.
It would depend on the firmness of each of the layers in the mattress but there is more about some of the general differences between Talalay and Dunlop latex in post #7 here but the best way to know which type and blend of latex you tend to prefer will be based on your own testing or your own personal experience. You will tend to “feel” the properties and “feel” of the layers that are closer to the top of the mattress than the layers that are deeper in the mattress.
For those that have more severe allergies then a complete encasement would do a better job controlling dust mites and allergens (and I would also focus on your pillow which can be a bigger source of dust mite issues than your mattress because it’s closer to your mouth and nose). There is more about controlling dust mites in post #2 here and more about mattress encasements for allergies or bed bugs in post #2 here. If you decide to use an encasement I would choose an encasement that was the same thickness or a little larger than the mattress and the topper combined (not thinner) and/or stretchy enough so the encasement can enclose the mattress and topper and doesn’t compress the mattress/topper and create a “drum effect” or change the feel of the sleeping system.
For most people though a mattress protector would probably be a better choice because it can be removed on a regular basis and cleaned while an encasement is meant to remain around the mattress on a semi permanent basis so unless you have severe allergies I would tend to choose a mattress protector that fits on your mattress like a fitted sheet rather than a mattress allergy encasement. You can also use both with za breathable encasement around the mattress as an allergy barrier in addition to a mattress protector that can be removed and cleaned to protect the mattress from the fluids and body oils that we release each night and to protect against spills and accidents. I would also use a topper under the protector because the cover around a topper has a different function and doesn’t protect the latex as effectively from liquids and body oils and is also more difficult to remove and clean.
If you decide to use a protector then there is more about the pros and cons of different types of mattress protectors and some examples of each of them in post #89 here.
Phoenix