Latex Mattress

[phoenix]

Hi Range Girl,

Just in case you haven’t 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.

When I sleep in hotel beds, I don’t develop the same pain, which hits about 3 am at home. I particularly like the mattresses at Woolley’s Classic Suites in Denver, but I don’t 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.

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’m wondering what you recommend based on the two other mattresses I liked. I haven’t called them yet to find out the ILD #s on their different layers.

I don’t 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 “theory at a distance”. If you are considering an online choice that you can’t 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 we’re looking at three on SleepEZ.com: the Roma, the Naturalé 9", and the 8" Special Latex Mattress with 3 layers. If we go with that, I’m not sure what firmness levels to choose for each layer since I am no where near Tempe and can’t try them out. I’m hoping you can make some suggestions.
[/quote].

There is more about the most important parts of the “value” 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.

And unfortunately, we do need a new foundation, too. Are all wooden foundations the same? We can buy one locally for $120 versus SleepEz’s $275, and the store says it would support a latex mattress, but the saleswoman couldn’t tell me the size or spacing of the slats inside.

No they all aren’t 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".

I have not been able to find 100% mattresses in either Billings or Bozeman.

I’m not sure where you are exactly but the some of the Montana options in post #5 here may be reasonably close to you.

One more question about warranties. I believe most warranties requires a sag of a certain amount (ie. 2.5") to replace the mattress, but I’ve heard that latex doesn’t actually sag; it softens in the area where you lie, so are latex warranties different, or are they pointless?

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