Hi Phoenix,
I visited three latex mattress retailers in the Austin, TX area this week. I visited Sleepworld, Austin Natural Mattress and Urban Mattress. All of these retailers are knowledgeable on these products and offer a variety of all natural talalay latex mattresses. I also found a variety of price points from 2K to 3K for a latex mattress paired with a foundation.
On my first visit at Sleepworld, I met Bob who appears to be very knowledge on his products. I enjoyed talking with him and learning about his organic latex mattress. I found his 12 inch 100% talalay latex mattress to be the most comfortable. It was plush but firm in support. I did wonder if the mattress would soften too much. He pairs this mattress up with a limited deflection foundation which appears from the sample to be a coil based foundation. My research for all other latex mattress manufacturers seem to recommend a rigid foundation that includes a wood slat based foundation with slats no more than 3" apart. When I inquired with Bob thinks the coil base foundation is superior to the rigid slat based foundation. When I inquired the reason, the response was it is based on his years of experience in the mattress industry. I did find it odd that I can find no other manufacturer who pairs a latex mattress with a traditional coil based foundation. I wondered if the other manufactures simply offer the KD style wood slat based foundation out of simplification and easy of transportation. I am sure it is more cost effective to ship a box of unassembled parts that it is an assembled queen size foundation.
Next I visited Austin Natural Mattress. This retailer carries several different lines of latex mattresses including OMI, Pure Latex Bliss, Savvy Rest, and a private label DIY mattress similar to Savvy Rest. I learned at this retailer that you might want to consider getting a firmer feeling mattress such as the PLB Nature (10" blended talalay) and using a 2" topper (14 or 19 ILD) to make it feel cushier. The advice is that you can always soften up a mattress with a topper but cannot firm up a softer mattress. I thought this was good advice.
My last visit was at Urban Mattress. I settled on their 10" 100% talalay latex mattress as the most comfortable. Again I tested it with and without a topper. I don’t think I would initially add a topper to this model. I questioned the components of their featured foundation which included a cardboard type material directly below the fabric. The foundation seemed rigid but I am thinking I want a foundation with higher quality components. They offered a reduction in the price so I can purchase a different foundation.
So to my question, what are your thoughts on using a limited deflection foundation (coil based) vs. a solid rigid wood slat based foundation? I understand there are different types of limited deflection foundation like the power stack system or but this is not what Bob is pairing with the latex mattress. I’ve read you should use the foundation that is paired with your mattress from the manufacture as it is designed as a sleep system. I get a little concerned when I find different approaches without understanding the reasons.
Let me add that all three of these retailers are good to work with, offer a variety of products in a no pressure environment. They truly try to educate the consumer which makes them stand out among their counterparts. All are knowledgeable on their products which I find refreshing.
Thanks for this forum! I have learned a lot about latex mattresses.