Latex Mattress Questions

[phoenix]

Hi nzafi,

I am in the market for a new mattress and am thinking I want to go with latex. I want to get away from a spring mattress and really enjoyed my prior memory foam mattress (tempurpedic). My wife really likes the spring feel of traditional spring mattresses (which we have now) but reading about latex sounds like it can be in the middle between the two.

Given your wife’s preferences for innersprings (which are generally a good quality component) … it may also be worth considering a latex/innerspring hybrid.

1) Like the price point of Aloe Alexis, but worried the support later of HD polyfoam is going to impact the feel of the bed and longetivity. Is that the case?

Every layer and component in a mattress will affect the feel and response of every other layer and component in the mattress and the mattress as a whole so every difference between two mattress including differences in layer thicknesses, layer firmnesses, or the type of materials or components or the type of cover and quilting will affect how they compare in terms of feel and performance. While it’s not possible to predict how someone else will feel on any mattress or how two mattresses will compare to each other for any particular person because this can be so subjective and because there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences and sensitivities involved, in very general terms, the top 3" - 6" of a mattress (depending on your body type and where you are in the sensitivity range between “princess and the pea” and “I can sleep on anything”) will have a bigger effect on the overall “feel” of the mattress than the layers that are deeper in the mattress. There are some comments about the general differences between an all latex mattress and a latex polyfoam hybrid in post #2 here and some comments about how the Alexis “fits into” the comparison in post #2 here. The 2.17 lb polyfoam support core in the Alexis certainly wouldn’t be a weak link in the mattress in terms of durability.

2) I like the concept of All Natural, but not really sure it ultimately means much. I am not worried about the polyfoam layer in the Total Latex and actually think we would prefer the softer feel of blended latex versus all natural.

The type and blend of latex is really a preference choice rather than a “better/worse” choice. There is more about the different types and blends of latex in post #6 here.

The type of materials that each person is comfortable with in their mattress is also a preference choice and post #2 here and the posts it links to has more information about safe, natural, organic, “chemical free”, and green mattresses and mattress materials that can help you sort through some of the marketing information and terminology that you will encounter in the industry and can help you differentiate between them and decide on the types of materials you are most comfortable having in your mattress and help you answer “how safe is safe enough for me”. These types of issues are complex and are generally specific to each person and their individual sensitivities, circumstances, and specific criteria, preferences, and lifestyle choices.

Unfortunately, we don’t have many latex mattress stores near me but there is an Organic Mattress so we will be going this weekend to try out latex mattresses. Any input is greatly welcome.

If you let me know your city or zip code I’d be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of that may be close to you.

Phoenix