Hi johnp,
Post #1 here lists the steps that will greatly increase your odds of finding the best possible quality and value mattresses.
The list of the better choices I’m aware of in the New York/NJ area are in post #7 here. It includes The Mattress Factory in Fanwood which is the closest to you (I think highly of the quality and value of the mattresses that Ron is building there) along with two others in NYC that are in reasonable driving distance and that I also included in the “best value” group at the end of the list. You just happened to find one of the better manufacturers the last time you went mattress shopping :).
These are exactly the types of mattresses I would avoid as you can see in the guidelines here.
It’s unfortunate but not surprising that Sleepy’s discontinued these (they don’t tend to keep better quality/value mattresses on their floor). Pure Latex Bliss make high quality mattress that are all Talalay latex and in many cases are also “better than average value” (depending on the price they are being sold at) but they are not usually in the same “value range” as similar mattresses sold at many local manufacturers or better sleep shops (or online).
There really aren’t any “inferior” categories of materials as much as there are materials that are not appropriate for the price of the mattress. There are some good quality grades of polyfoam for example that can be a “budget appropriate” choice in a mattress. The real key is to make sure that the materials in your mattress will provide the performance and durability that you want and are good value in comparison to other similar mattresses. While I certainly agree that an all latex mattress is among the best choices (if the construction is suitable for the person and the value is good), there are many people who want the performance and value of having latex in the comfort layers but use a lower cost support system to keep inside their budget.
These all use good quality materials but there are many differences based on the choices they offer and their relative value. Of these … SleepEz and FSF (which are in the list of our members that specialize in online sales) are better value than the others IMO in apples to apples comparisons for basic component mattresses with customizable layers. SleepEz has a more extensive lineup and offers more choices of materials and layering (including blended Talalay and 100% natural Dunlop which are both among the best latex values for those that aren’t committed to 100% natural Talalay or organic Dunlop). FSF offers organic Dunlop and 100% natural Talalay. This article along with post #6 here has more about the different types and blends of latex.
A forum search on Plushbeds (you can just click this) will bring up more information about them but you can summarize it with "better than average value compared to some other online sources but not in the “best” value range.
You have already “pegged” Savvy Rest as good quality/lower value which as you know I would agree with.
Flobeds is also a little more costly but they also have some unique designs available including customizable zoning so they aren’t an apples to apples comparison with the others and they would also be well worth considering. There is more about their v-Zone system in post #4 here and a forum search on flobeds will also bring up more information and feedback about them as well.
This would be dependent on the person (based on body type, sleeping position, and preferences) and the construction and layering of the 12". It can be a more appropriate choice for heavier weights because it can be more adaptable certain body profiles and sleeping positions and has a greater “range” of compression from soft to firm. It offers slightly more flexibility in layering and allows for the use of firmer foam in some cases where the extra thickness will “act” softer. In most cases it wouldn’t be “necessary” but in some cases it can certainly be desirable.
I personally think his comparisons are deceptive and inaccurate. They also charge shipping on warranty claims (see their warranty here) and warranties are not nearly as important as the quality of the materials in the mattress. They were probably less than complimentary because they don’t fare so well in an “apples t apples” comparison with SleepEz. It’s especially strange that they are making comments about some of the “differences” between their materials when sleepEz offers exactly the same materials as Plushbeds as one of their options (as does FSF).
I prefer comfort layers that are most appropriate to the needs and preferences of the person on the mattress. The term “comfort layer” is a fuzzy definition because all the layers of a mattress compress together and perhaps a more appropriate term would be “comfort zone” which is not specifically “defined” by the thickness of the layers that are on top of the mattress. A layer can be primarily for pressure relief (near the top), primarily for support (near the bottom), or a middle or “transition” layer which can be a combination of both. It all depends on the layering of the mattress and the ILD and thickness of the layers and how suitable they are for the needs and preferences of the person on it. Having said that … comfort layers (or a comfort “zone”) that is too thick for the body type, and sleeping positions of the person can allow the heavier parts of the body to sink down too far and can carry the risk of poor alignment so I prefer comfort layers that are not too thick/soft for the person. What is best in most cases is relative to the other layers and components of the mattresses and to the needs and preferences of each person. Each person “needs” good pressure relief (wheich comes from the depth of the cradle that is formed on top of the mattress and on how well it conforms to the body shape) and good alignment (which means “stopping” the heavier parts of the body from sinking down too far and “allowing” the wider lighter parts of the body to sink in far enough). The layering that produces this is secondary to making sure that your “needs” are met because there are different pathways or layering combinations that can produce similar results.
[quote]Also, not to mention the whole Dunlop v. Talalay issue. I understand the difference
(firmer/softer) but I haven’t FELT the difference. My wife just wants me to make a decision. Easy for her as her body isn’t as demanding as mine to get a good night sleep. I want to make a decision too, but I want to make sure I’m making the right one- especially if there is no returns. [/quote]
As you mentioned … one of the differences is that Dunlop gets firmer faster than Talalay because it has a higher compression modulus. The other main difference is that Dunlop is not quite as “lively” as Talalay. As an analogy … if you can imagine what angel food cake may feel like compared to pound cake (in a similar firmness level) you would probably have a sense of how they may feel to you (even though “feel” is subjective and relative to each person’s definition and sensitivities).
Hope this helps you narrow things down a bit … and I would definitely make sure I had a more extended conversation with both FSF and SleepEz.
Phoenix