Thank you for all the great information. I am currently looking for latex or foam/ latex hybird. Has anyone had the BB aloe alexis 14" for long term, and do you reccomend it?
Hi dbl006,
I donât have any personal experience with it but the Alexis has only been available for less than about two years so there would not be any âlong termâ reviews available of the specific mattress. Latex has been used for decades though and is the most durable type of foam in the industry regardless of which manufacturer uses it in their mattress and the materials in a mattress are the most effective way to assess the durability of a mattress.
Brooklyn Bedding is one of the members here and competes well with the best in the industry and they would certainly be one of the manufacturers I would recommend dealing with in terms of their quality, value, and service.
As far as a specific mattress choice though ⊠I would be VERY cautious about using other peopleâs suggestions or reviews as a way to make your own choice (see post #13 here about mattress reviews) because their experience may be very different from yours in terms of PPP (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here). A certain mattress design or comfort choice that is âperfectâ for one person may be completely unsuitable for someone else to sleep on regardless of the quality, value, or durability of the mattress. One of the benefits of the Alexis outside of the quality of the materials is that it has two layers of latex which can be individually customized at the time you purchase it (based on your more detailed conversations with Brooklyn Bedding) and if necessary after you sleep on it (with a layer exchange) so it provides many options in a single mattress.
A forum search on âAlexisâ (you can just click this) will bring up many more comments and feedback about it.
Phoenix
Thanks phoenix, good words to remember. I have been looking for a mattress for weeks and have really liked the idea of having both HD foam and latex. I have been looking on this site for weeks and doing a lot of bed testing at several local stores. Having all of the reviews of the different online sites you provided was very helpful. My husband and I decided going with Brooklyn bedding. We went with the Aloe Alexis split cal king, one side ultra plush and the other medium plush. Mario Sevilla from BB was excellent to work with. I was able to get and additional $200 of each mattress plus 2 pillows. After doing a lot of pricing I feel I received a great deal. Thanks also for the recommendation to adjustablebeds.org. I purchased the Reverie deluxe. I am very excited for my purchases to come. I will update everyone when everything comes and I get my first good night of sleep in years.
Hi dbl006,
Congratulations on your new mattress ⊠and adjustable bed 
I think you made great choices in terms of quality/value and Iâm looking forward to your feedback once youâve had the chance to sleep on them.
Phoenix
Hi,
Iâm new to most interactive internet platforms. Donât know if Iâm âtalkingâ in the correct place.
First, Iâd like to thank you for all the info (almost overwhelming) on your site. Iâve been reading for a week before I started understanding, not yet mastering the info. but getting there.
Second, in the Burlington, VT area, at least two stores have latex mattresses. The Vermont Mattress Depo carrying the Natura (you have listed this store in one of your replies) and the Burlington Furniture Co. carrying the pure Latex Bliss. Both places had courteous, helpful and fairly knowledgeable sales people.They had some info on their mattress.
Third, Iâd like your opinion on two mattresses. The Natura Eco Refresh ( the only latex model at the Depo ) and the pure Latex Bliss Sustain.
My wife and I extremely liked the Sustain. Exceptional pressure relief, great alignment, liked the cotton over wool cover, was a little busy when we moved and it didnât hurt either one of us. The Refresh and the Sutain were the only ones we both were very comfortable on.
My wife and I are 5â 2" and weight around 200 lb. She has back, hip and shoulder problems plus fibromyelgia. Iâve got two artificial shoulder plus one knee and a bad back. Weâve been trying different style beds all day and were tired, the Bliss mattresses were our last stop.
We are very wary about buying on line but weâd like your advise. The prices on these were not cheap. The Refresh was 3799 for two twin XLs. The Sustain was 5500 for two twin XLs. We plan to get two adjustable bases so we can have separate adjustments when necessary.
Weâve bought three mattresses, all name brands,in the last six years and Iâve not been able to sleep on any of them for more then a year to a year and one half (sleeping in a recliner mostly). I am so weary of this mattress âBSâ.
Also we could take a road trip to a place which could make a mattress comparable to the Sustain (NY City and see a show ?)
Thank for any help you can send our way,
Adele and Bill
Hi cowdocvt,
I switched your post to your own topic so that your posts donât get mixed up with posts from other members and it will be easier to find.
I would suggest reading the information here like you would a good book rather than âstudying itâ like you would a textbook so that you donât become overwhelmed with information or end up with âparalysis by analysisâ. Just in case you havenât read it yet I would also make sure youâve read the tutorial post here which has the most important information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choice.
Itâs good to see you were dealing with knowledgeable salespeople which are sometimes few and far between in the mainstream market. Iâve also added Burlington Furniture Company and Sleep Quarters to the Burlington, VT list. I didnât add them originally since neither site listed what they carried but they are both on the Pure Latex Bliss retail store finder if you enter a zip code for the Burlington area and the PLB mattresses use good quality materials.
[quote]
Third, Iâd like your opinion on two mattresses. The Natura Eco Refresh ( the only latex model at the Depo ) and the pure Latex Bliss Sustain.
[/quote].
You can see the materials in the Natura Eco Refresh on the Naturaworld site here. It includes an inch of 100% natural Talalay latex and a 6" 100% natural Dunlop latex support core and a fairly thick layer of wool in the quilting. All of these are good quality materials and there are no weak links in the mattress.
You can see the materials in the Pure Latex Bliss Sustain here and it includes 4" of 100% natural Talalay latex and a 6" support core that is also 100% natural latex with a stretch knit removeable and washable cover. It also doesnât have any weak links in the design.
The most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is how well it matches your specific needs and preferences in terms of PPP because no matter what the quality or price of a mattress ⊠if itâs not a suitable design for you to sleep on it would have little value to you. Careful and objective testing using the testing guidelines in the tutorial post will go a long way to helping you make a suitable choice.
The next most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is the quality of the materials so you can make sure there are no weak links or lower quality materials that can soften or break down prematurely. If a mattress is a good match for you initially but the materials are low quality and soften or break down prematurely (as in your case with your previous mattresses) a mattress would also have little value to you in the longer term. Both of these use latex which is a high quality and durable material.
Once you have tested a mattress and you are confident that itâs a good match for you and you have confirmed that it uses high quality materials ⊠then the âvalueâ of each mattress would depend on how they compare with each other or the other options that you are considering or have available to you based on the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
While both of these are good quality mattresses ⊠they are both in higher price ranges than other similar latex mattresses with similar materials and construction so I would make some careful value comparisons before choosing either one of them.
I completely understand and you are in the same position as many if not most other mattress shoppers who donât have the information that they need to make informed choices or know how to make sure that there are no weak links in a mattress and make meaningful comparisons between mattresses. When you buy a mattress that uses lower quality materials (in the comfort layers especially) then the lower quality materials will soften and break down prematurely and the loss of comfort/pressure relief and/or support/alignment that goes with this isnât usually covered by a warranty (loss of comfort and support is considered to be normal weak and tear not a defect unless there are impressions are deeper than the warranty exclusions which usually isnât the case)
That would certainly be a long drive to do some mattress shopping unless you had other reasons to go there. The tutorial post includes a link to a list of the members here that sell online that includes many that make latex mattresses with a wide range of options, designs, and budget ranges that may also be worth considering or at least that you could use for comparison purposes.
Post #32 here also includes a list of retailers that sell PLB mattresses online and ship them anywhere in the country that you could also use as a reference (their listed prices are MAP prices (minimum advertised prices) not the actual selling prices so I would make sure you talk with them to find out their actual selling prices).
The New York list is in post #2 here and there is a more categorized list for Northern NJ with more detailed descriptions of some of the NY options in post #7 here. The manufacturers and retailers listed there also make or sell latex mattresses but they are not the same design or combination of materials and may feel or perform completely differently so I would make sure you did some preliminary research on their sites and on the phone before you drive there.
There are no factory direct manufacturers close to Burlington, VT but some of the other options that are a similar or shorter distance away than New York (in case you want to drive in a different direction) are listed in post #4 here for Topsham/St Johnsbury, VT. (there are no factory direct manufacturers here either), post #2 here for Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts (with several factory direct manufacturers), post #2 here for Connecticut (also several factory direct manufacturers), post #2 here for Syracuse/Bridgewater (two factory direct manufacturers), and post #4 here for the Albany/Schenectady, NY. area (also with no factory direct manufacturers).
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix,
I am shopping for a latex mattress and I am quite confused!! I am a side/back sleeper looking for a good quality mattress. There are so many places to buy from I am just lost. Is it worth it to go all natural? Also, by chance would there be any good places near the Raleigh, Durham area of North Carolina to buy a latex mattress from?
Thanks,
John
Hi 1fasttvx,
That really depends on which type of latex you are looking at and your preferences and on the criteria that are most important to you for performance, âfeelâ, budget, or personal reasons. Post #6 here has more about the different types of latex which along with your own personal testing and experience may be helpful in deciding which type of latex you prefer.
The better options and possibilities Iâm aware of in the Raleigh/Durham area are listed in post #6 here. There are certainly some good options to test and become familiar with different types of latex mattresses but where you end up buying from will depend on which of your options (either local or online) you are most comfortable with and are the best match for the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you.
Phoenix
Great info Phoenix, I will check them out.
Thanks,
John
Phoenix,
I went to look at the latex mattress at the Original Mattress Factory. I like the feel of the mattress, but after checking the construction it uses a foam core. I am guessing that is a way to produce the mattress at a lower cost? I also checked out the Savvy Rest Serenity mattress and I liked the feel of them also, but as you know the price is up there. Right now I am really leaning towards the Brooklyn Bedding 10" Total Latex. Do you think that would be a good choice price and construction wise?
Thank you!!
John
Hi 1fastvx,
You can see some of my thoughts about the OMF Serenity latex mattress (and some comparisons with some of the Brooklyn Bedding mattresses including the Total Latex Mattress) in post #2 here and post #2 here and post #3 here.
Yes ⊠they are good quality mattresses and I would choose them over most mainstream mattresses in a similar budget range but as you know there are also other similar component latex mattresses available that use the same or similar materials and layers in lower budget ranges.
They are one of the members of this site which means I think highly of them yes and they compete well with the best in the industry. I certainly wouldnât hesitate to purchase any of their mattresses that I thought was suitable for me in terms of PPP and the parts of my personal value equation that were most important to me.
Of course when you canât test a mattress in person them itâs also important to have a more detailed conversation with any online retailer or manufacturer so you can choose the layer and firmness options that have the highest chance of success (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix,
I have learned so much on your site. Because of the huge investment, Iâm so afraid to make a mistake and get the wrong mattress. Because of this, weâve put off buying a mattress for about 3 years too long.
I live in Montana, so our latex choices are really limited locally. We did drive to Denver Mattress in Billings (110 miles) and try their iChoice. I liked it without the topper but only laid on it about a half an hour with the topper and a half hour without. I have developed bursitis in both hips, and I think our sagging innerspring mattress is the cause. When I sleep in hotel beds, I donât develop the same pain, which hits about 3 am at home. I particularly like the mattresses at Woolleyâs Classic Suites in Denver, but I donât want to go with springs again. They say their mattresses are Beautyrest Black Label custom-made for them, but no one knew what comfort level number they were.
The iChoice bedâs link is: 404 | Denver Mattress. As you can see, itâs not 100% latex, so Iâve been looking at SleepEZâs beds, starting with the Roma. Iâm wondering what you recommend based on the two other mattresses I liked. I havenât called them yet to find out the ILD #s on their different layers. We have added a 2.5" Talalay topper to our current bed along with a Cuddlebed topper and a quilt under the sagging part of the mattress. That has helped but not enough. However, we can use these toppers on our new mattress as well. Iâm worried about getting something too firm that will bother my pressure points, but Iâm worried about getting something too soft since I hear that latex softens over time, and sinking too far into the mattress also sets off my bursitis.
We laid on the Dr. Breus Monogram mattress, but I couldnât really feel a difference on that one. Of course, I tried it early in the morning when my bursitis was already hurting pretty badly. I believe thatâs also not 100% latex. I have not been able to find 100% mattresses in either Billings or Bozeman.
So budget-wise weâre looking at three on SleepEZ.com: the Roma, the NaturalĂ© 9", and the 8" Special Latex Mattress with 3 layers. If we go with that, Iâm not sure what firmness levels to choose for each layer since I am no where near Tempe and canât try them out. Iâm hoping you can make some suggestions.
And unfortunately, we do need a new foundation, too. Are all wooden foundations the same? We can buy one locally for $120 versus SleepEzâs $275, and the store says it would support a latex mattress, but the saleswoman couldnât tell me the size or spacing of the slats inside.
One more question about warranties. I believe most warranties requires a sag of a certain amount (ie. 2.5") to replace the mattress, but Iâve heard that latex doesnât actually sag; it softens in the area where you lie, so are latex warranties different, or are they pointless?
Thanks so much for any information you can give me. We have been looking forever, and with my bursitis, I want to get a new mattress this month.
Hi Range Girl,
Just in case you havenât read it yet ⊠the first place I would start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choice ⊠and know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
You can read more comments about hotel beds in post #3 here. I would generally avoid them or any of the major brand mattresses that may be similar (see the guidelines here).
I would also be aware that the weakest link in most innerspring mattresses are lower quality materials used in the comfort layers and not the innerspring itself which is generally a durable component. An innerspring mattress that uses high quality comfort layers can be a very durable choice.
I donât make specific mattress suggestions because there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved for anyone to make specific suggestions for someone else based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or âtheory at a distanceâ. If you are considering an online choice that you canât test in person before a purchase then the most reliable source of guidance will always be the retailer or manufacturer themselves (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
[quote]
So budget-wise weâre looking at three on SleepEZ.com: the Roma, the NaturalĂ© 9", and the 8" Special Latex Mattress with 3 layers. If we go with that, Iâm not sure what firmness levels to choose for each layer since I am no where near Tempe and canât try them out. Iâm hoping you can make some suggestions.
[/quote].
There is more about the most important parts of the âvalueâ of a mattress purchase in post #13 here that can help you make more meaningful comparisons between mattresses.
I can only speak to the quality of the materials in a mattress and help you identify any weak links in their design and all of the mattresses you mentioned here use high quality and durable materials and there are no weak links in any of them.
No they all arenât the same at all. There is more about the types of foundations that are suitable for different types of mattresses and some good sources for each of them in the foundation post here but the SleepEZ foundation is certainly a good choice for an all latex mattress and has gaps between the slats that are less than 3".
Iâm not sure where you are exactly but the some of the Montana options in post #5 here may be reasonably close to you.
Most warranties have a 1.5" exclusion (although some are more) but mattress warranties only cover visible impressions (as you mentioned) and not the gradual loss of comfort and support that happens with all mattresses over time and they have very little to nothing to do with the useful life of a mattress and how quickly you may need to replace it (see post #174 here). They are more about marketing than anything else.
All foam materials including latex will soften or impress to some degree over time but latex is among the most durable materials in the industry so it will soften or impress less than other types of foam materials and will only do so over a longer period of time. There is more about the variables that can affect the durability and useful life of a mattress in post #4 here.
Phoenix
Thanks for the links and info. I had tried all the places you list for Montana except one, and no one has 100% latex. They are all combined with other foam layers. I ended up buying the 8" special from SleepEZ, and I am so relieved to finally have placed an order after several years of either not dealing with it or researching different mattresses. Weâve been in the middle of remodeling our house for years, so this has always take a backseat financially, and now Iâm paying for it physically. Hopefully, this mattress with be worth the money. Fingers crossed.
Hi Range Girl,
Itâs unfortunate that you missed Mattress Mill in Bozeman which makes all latex mattresses but the good news is that you ended up making a great quality/value mattress purchase anyway!
Congratulations on your new mattress
Iâm looking forward to your comments and feedback once youâve received it.
Phoenix
I found some MFRS. here to review before buying the Plush Beds Botanical Bliss 100% latex.
FYI, the Foam Sweet Foam coupon code is not working anymore, gives the message âWarning: Coupon is either invalid, expired or reached its usage limit!â Shame, was about to make a purchase.
www.foamsweetfoam.com/ Anaheim, CA. Factory direct manufacturer. They sell component latex mattresses that you can choose between organic certified Dunlop latex or 100% natural Talalay layers with either two, three, four, of five 3" layers in your choice of firmness with an organic cotton and wool quilted zip cover. Scott is the owner here and I have known him for several years and he is also very knowledgeable and experienced. He makes good quality and value mattresses and is the only manufacturer I know that sells 15" component latex mattresses with 5 layers. He has been selling mattresses for over 30 years and online for over 9 years. Discount code: MU6
Hi toddatkins,
Iâm assuming that youâve called them already to find out why the coupon wasnât working but just in case you havenât and for the benefit of others who read your post they are having a 4th of July sale which has a discount that is larger than the TMU bonus and as you can see on the membership list here ⊠all discounts and bonuses are on regular âmattress onlyâ purchases and in most cases canât be âstackedâ with occasional sale prices that already have a larger discount or with special promotional pricing on some mattresses.
The coupon code will be reactivated after the sale is over.
Phoenix
Phoenix,
This list is 5 years old and I believe the majority of these vendors are still in business.
However, do you have a current list somewhere of these vendors with your notes?
Also, on another subject, do you have a compendium of all of the educational and article information in one document, PDF or other read-straight-through format?
One of the difficulties Iâve found with the navigation of the educational and article information on this site is the seeming lack of ânext subject/articleâ links within each page.
thanks again
[quote=âPhoenixâ post=897]
âŠ
https://www.mattresses.net/ Specializes in customizable 6" + 2" or 6" + 3" layering in either Talalay or Dunlop and side by side split construction is also available. Has a range of other options as well including organic Dunlop and a pocket coil/latex hybrid and can also do special orders of alternative layering on request. Has a zip cover so that the base layers can be exchanged if needed. Discount Code: MU5
http://www.baybed.com/ Specializes in a rather unique customized component mattress with latex layers of your choice over a high quality pocket coil design for those who prefer a latex/innerspring hybrid. Has a zip cover so that layers and components can be exchanged after purchase.
âŠ
Phoenix[/quote]
Hi steelwindmachine,
This is a list of the members of the site that sell sell mattresses online and I edit it to keep it up to date on a consistent basis (the last edit was yesterday). It is one of several online lists that are linked in the mattress shopping tutorial (in the optional online step). I also edit and update all the many other local and online lists throughout the forum on a regular basis as I become aware of any new information.
No ⊠but the most important links are included in the 5 steps in the mattress shopping tutorial. There are a number of menu sections that contain educational articles (and they are all visible if you hover over the menu item) but there are many more inside the forum itself that I use as reference posts than there are in the menu links.
I am currently working on creating a research center that will include several hundred of the most important articles from the menu links and the forum posts that will be amalgamated together in one place but it will take quite some time to complete so if you have any questions that arenât covered in the tutorial or the menu links you can just ask on the forum and Iâll be happy to link you to the relevant information.
Phoenix