How important is double-sided vs. re-arrangement ability of layers?

Hello! This is my first post. I’ve been doing a LOT of reading, and we’re about ready to pull the trigger on a SleepEZ 10,000 or 13,000. I plan on calling to customize the details, but I just have one question that’s been bugging me that I can’t seem to find already addressed (though the simple forum search may have just not uncovered it.)

If durability is of high value to me as a customer, is the inherently higher durability of latex enough to mitigate that as a priority vs. traditional innerspring mattresses? It seems that the multi-layer, swappable setup is not ever “double-sided”. My higher priority is the ability to make adjustments, so I think I’m fine with this trade-off, but I wanted to put it out there and ask.
Thanks! This has all been SO super helpful, especially since we’re looking to spend (to us!) quite a bit.

Hi lisahopes,

The support core of a mattress (including an innerspring) isn’t usually the weak link of a mattress. In almost all cases the weak link is the comfort materials over the innerspring (or any other type of support core). If you were to take apart an innerspring mattress that “failed” for example … you would find that it would almost always be the foam in the comfort layers that has softened and/or impressed.

Having said that … latex is much more durable than most of the polyfoam that you will find in a mattress and is more durable than even high quality polyfoam as well (that you don’t usually see in the comfort layers of most mattresses) so it would certainly offset the durability issues of lower quality polyfoam even in a two sided mattress.

Any comfort material though will be more durable in a two sided construction … even materials that are as durable as latex … but the disadvantage of a two sided construction is that you lose some design flexibility because you can’t use too much softer material on the bottom of a two sided mattress or you risk alignment and support issues.

The advantage of a component layered approach is that it will almost always be the softest materials on top which soften or degrade faster than the deeper layers no matter what the materials and when this happens (or if your needs or preferences change) then it’s easy to just exchange a single layer rather than the whole mattress so it also has durability advantages of a different type. It doesn’t have the same design restrictions of a two sided mattress and has more ability to customize the feel and performance of the mattress before and after a purchase.

One isn’t “better” than another and is a very durable material in both a one sided and two sided version. The choice is more about which type of design has the advantages that are most important to you.

Phoenix

Thank you, Phoenix, for articulating it. That clarifies and solidifies my thoughts. The flexibility is most important, esp ordering remotely. I’m planning on calling SleepEZ today and fine-tuning my order based on their expertise.

Honestly, anything would be better than what we’ve got at this point, which is a 6yo innerspring (one-sided, so only rotate-able but not flippable) with failed comfort layers that was too firm in support with too soft comfort layers to begin with.

I did it. Ordered the 10000 Organic in S/M/F but split the bottom two layers so we have options. 100% Natural Talalay.
So excited!

Hi lisahoppes,

Congratulations on your new mattress!

You certainly made a great choice and I’m looking forward to your feedback when you’ve received it :slight_smile:

Phoenix