How to look for and find the best mattress ... for YOU! ***READ FIRST***

[phoenix]

Hi uncafeaulait.

Great to hear that Mattress Innovations treated you nicely and you’ve had the chance to test their beds and get a feel for latex … it’s always a good sign when the sales representative notices that you’ve done your homework.

Their full latex line was interesting in that even their firmest latex mattress was extremely soft - the exact opposite of Ikea. … I’m leaning toward the Flexus Quadra Flex, but am stumped on latex firmness. Based on the full latex mattresses at Mattress Innovations, we prefer a Medium - but based on Ikea we would need an extra extra plush.

Given the many interdependent variables that can account for the differences in firmness, I wouldn’t just yet come to any conclusions about how a third mattress that you are considering may feel based on the two experiences you’ve had. The mattress design and thickness of each layer, the type of materials used, the comfort layer which in your case can be Dunlop or Talalay latex with its variations (natural, blended, and synthetic) which also come in different firmness ILDs (ILD measures the firmness, the higher the ILD the firmer the foam) all can influence the feel and comfort and different people may be experience them differently which will also affect how they “rate” a mattress in terms of firmness (see post #15 here) In other words there are no “standard” definitions or consensus of opinions for firmness ratings and also different manufacturers can rate their mattresses very differently than others so a mattress that one manufacturer rates as being a specific firmness could be rated very differently by another manufacturer. If two layers are a different type or blend of latex then ILD ratings may not be comparable between different layers. Dunlop which is most likely what you’ve tested at IKEA and Talalay latex in the same thickness and ILD won’t feel the same in terms of their firmness for most people because they have a different response curve and compression modulus (how quickly a material becomes firmer as you sink into it more deeply). Talalay in the same ILD as Dunlop feels softer and springier and is less dense (weighs less than Dunlop per cubic foot of material) because it has more air in it.) There is more about the difference between Dunlop and Talalay in post #7 here.

Because of all the varying descriptions of what soft and firm really is … it’s usually much more “accurate” and objective to talk in terms of the overall “feel” of a mattress (surface feel), and discriminate between the pressure relief of a mattress, and the support and alignment of a mattress. The most common definition of softness has to do with the pressure relieving qualities of a mattress. This comes from the upper layers of the mattress and how well they re-distribute weight away from any pressure points.

Generally, the only two ways to make effective initial choices for the design of a mattress that is the best match for you in terms of comfort/support are

1. Your own careful and objective testing
2. Through a more detailed conversation with the manufacturer/retailer on the phone where you can provide them with more information that can help them use “averages” and your own past experiences as a way to help you make the best choice.
   Generally, I wouldn’t trust any “theory” at a distance as anything more than a general guideline that is subject to change based on your own unique preferences and circumstances that Flezus Comfort (one of our https://mattressunderground.com/the-underground/our-trusted-members.htmlTrusted Manufacturing Members here which means that I think very highly of and consider them to compete well with “the best” in the industry would have the knowledge and experience to help you find the most suitable option for your unique needs and preferences.

We really liked their pocket coil and ‘latex’ mattress line, but I noticed an E marked on the side, which is clearly the Englander model. When I looked at the specification sheet, it said Pocketed Coil ENCASED in Latex with a poly-foam comfort layer. I was extremely surprised since while we were laying on it, he talked about how they don’t use that ‘cheap poly foam’ like those other companies and yet sold a mattress with a 1.5" poly foam comfort layer.

Englander is a licensing group which has different independent factories in different areas throughout the country that make their mattresses. They all make a very wide range of mattresses all the way from very low quality to very high quality and also in some areas they make a great deal of “house brands” for certain retailers.

We did however, love the latex mattresses except for the lack of edge support - so putting latex with a pocket coil sounds perfect

Because latex is so durable and also point elastic (conforms to the shape of the weight on top of it without having a significant effect on the area beside it) and because of its high compression modulus (the rate at which a material gets firmer with deeper compression) … for most people it doesn’t normally require edge reinforcement for sleeping even for heavy people. This is particularly true if the support layers are firm enough for the person sleeping on the mattress. Because of its point elasticity though … those who sit on the very outside edge a lot (instead of sitting with your body weight more into the middle of the mattress) or who sleep with more concentrated weight on the outside few inches of their mattress may find themselves sinking down more than they like even though this isn’t normally an issue when sleeping on the mattress.

I hope this information helps you out in your decision.

Phoenix