Looking for latex in Lexington

[phoenix]

Hi kwinky,

This site seems to favor latex mattresses enough that it leaves me at least wanting more info. As many know, this is a difficult subject to research. First, I can’t find a mattress store in the Lexington Ky area that sells anything latex other than the partial latex mattresses made by the larger manufacturers. I won’t list models as they change by retailer anyway but all have left me wanting more information. Many have also stated that no one makes an all latex mattress and that anything other than a synthetic blend is available.

I think the choice between various mattress materials and components is mostly one of preference but latex is certainly one of the highest quality and most durable materials used in mattresses. More even than latex itself though, I think it’s important to choose the highest possible quality that is available in a particular budget range no matter what material someone may prefer. Every material has low and high quality versions and knowing how to tell the difference between them (or dealing only with knowledgeable manufacturers or retailers who will tell you) can be one of the most important parts of mattress shopping. Who you buy from (and who you exclude) can be just as important as what you buy.

I also think the people you have been talking to are sadly misinformed … or worse yet presenting the mattresses they sell as being all that is available in the marketplace. This article and post #6 here has more information about the various different types of latex that you may encounter. There are certainly many “all latex” mattresses of various types available in most areas of the country. Some of the better options and possibilities in the Lexington area are listed in post #3 here.

I see a lot of good advice offered here by Phoenix and a lot said as to the VALUE of a mattress. What constitutes exceptional value in a latex mattress? In the simplest terms, is 100% natural latex really that? I have seen info to the contrary on other web sites, stating that you can’t get 100% latex.

Latex is either natural rubber (NR) or synthetic rubber (SBR). When a latex foam is manufactured there are other compounds used in the formula in order to turn the raw latex milk into a foamed material so if by 100% latex someone means a material that only contains rubber and nothing else then this would be correct. Most latex cores or layers contain about 90% - 95% or more latex and the rest of the “ingredients” would be the other compounds that are used to make the latex. When most people talk about 100% natural latex (NR) though what they mean is that there is no synthetic rubber used in manufacturing and that all the latex used is natural rubber (NR). From this perspective there are many manufacturers who make 100% natural latex.

Value has many different components (see post #46 here) but from a “commodity” perspective it could be defined as a mattress that is lower priced than other mattresses that use the same or very similar materials and components. So if you were comparing a mattress that had 9" of blended Talalay latex that sold for $1400 in queen (mattress only) and compared it to a mattress that had the same 9" of blended Talalay latex but sold for $2000 and they both had similar ticking and quilting materials then you would have an “apples to apples” comparison and the lower priced mattress would be significantly better value from a commodity perspective. The lower priced mattress may use layering though that was softer or firmer or have a different design and construction that didn’t provide you with the pressure relief and alignment you needed so while it may be better value … it may not be as suitable for your body type and sleeping position so the suitability of a mattress for your body type and sleeping position is just as important as its “commodity value”.

I tend to use the online manufacturers that are members of this site listed in post #21 here as a “value reference”. If a local mattress (in an "apples to apples comparison) has a premium in the range of 20% - 25% of these prices I would consider them to be good value (online purchases can be more risky than a local purchase because you can’t test them first) but each person can decide on the degree of difference that would be “equivalent” value for them based on their own risk tolerance and on any of the other benefits provided with dealing with a particular manufacturer or retailer either online or locally.

The self assembled mattresses from the Arizona Premium Mattress Co. look as competitively priced as any others I have seen. What is the durability like on their bamboo covers? Is 9" a sufficient thickness for a mattress? I’m struggling with the concept of purchasing an item of this cost sight unseen from half a continent away and any further information based on other customer’s experience, not testimonials on a company web site, would be greatly appreciated. Are there any other latex mattresses in the same price range? Are the more expensive ones really any better?

The list I linked earlier has many latex mattresses with different designs and in many price ranges and each had different benefits that may be more or less attractive to each person. I would consider all of them to be great value for different reasons. For most people 8" - 9" of latex is fine but there are some who may need less (lighter weights, firmer preferences, or “flatter” sleeping positions) and some that are much heavier or have different preferences may do better with more than this (in the range of 11" - 12"). Post #14 here talks about some of the benefits of thicker mattresses that may be important for some people.

Good quality covers would not be the weak link of any of these mattresses but the cover and quilting can be a significant part of the price of the mattress. Good quality fabrics and quilting materials (such as wool) can be more costly than lower cost fabrics and quilting layers. The quality and suitability of a mattress has little relationship to its price because there are very high priced mattresses that are significantly overpriced (most major manufacturers have mattresses in this category) and much lower priced mattresses that are made up of the same components that are much lower priced. Arizona Premium is certainly in the “best in country” value range.

I would consider all the members of this site to be among the best quality/value in the country and other manufacturers that compared favorably to these in an “apples to apples” comparison (based on their mattresses and their knowledge, service, and the options they provided to their customers) would be in this range as well. They are well worth talking with on the phone because they are more focused on “educating” their customers about their mattresses than they are on “selling” them whatever they will buy.

Hope this helps.

Phoenix