Glad I found this site. Our 17 yr old Beautyrest Elite is done, killing our backs. We like Latex, hit a store with a Posh and Lavish CK Relax Natural Rubber and we both liked it, also liked the feel of a Sealy Natural with Latex top layer, believe both were “firm” variety. I can’t stand foam because the sink in/stuck feeling, I need to be able to move around freely. I am 5ft 9in/178, wife is 5ft 5in/125. Both of us are mostly side sleepers but move around a good bit, never stomach once in a while back.
Like the layered latex idea so we can change firmness if we need to, love the durability idea. Price is flexible,1000-1500 would be preferred. Looking for suggestions
Hi Drak,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround. We are happy to have you here.
Wow, you had the BeautyRest quite a long time, just as the industry was changing from the two sided mattress standard, to the “new” one sided approach. Consider yourself grateful that your BR endured that test of time, as you might not see that again from them in quite sometime. Not that it is entirely “their” fault but the modern prioritization of profit over the legacy of quality has hit some of the most beloved brands of yesteryear fairly hard. Corporate pressure certainly is alive and well.
Fortunately in your price range you will be surprised to find a lot of great options. And if you choose, many of our Trusted Members are experts in this area. If you have perused our tutorials you know we tend to take the “less is more approach” when it comes to mattress design and construction.
I must say, despite what is going on with the S brands these days, the Sealy Naturals mattress is impressive, even though it is 2-2.5x your price point.
You may want to consider @My_Green_Mattress in this category considering your price point. If hand tufting is not a priority, then @Sleep_EZ may provide you with an option and @Latex_Mattress_Fact1 may also have DIY option for you to consider to maintain your pricing structure. This is based on a king sized mattress, as you did not mention size, which is a key factor in pricing as there can often be a nice jump from a queen to a king. @Arizona_Premium is another manufacturer like the ones already mentioned that offer options that fit the profile of what you are looking for.
When searching for a new mattress always consider your 4R’s. Refund, Return, Restocking Fee and Reputation/Reviews (independent non website reviews, just to get previous mattress purchasers real time reviews) so you may understand what others have experienced from handling the “paperwork and process” perspective.
Creating a DIY mattress or collaborating with a manufacturer can give you control over materials, firmness levels, and customization options, ensuring you get exactly what you need for comfort and support.
Advantages of DIY or Custom Collaboration
- Tailored Comfort: You can adjust the firmness and support to match your specific needs.
- Durability: High-quality materials like natural latex and organic covers ensure longevity.
- Eco-Friendly: Using natural and organic materials reduces your environmental impact.
- Cost-Effective: Often, DIY or customizable options can be more affordable than pre-assembled high-end mattresses.
While there are other options out there, such as EcoSleep and Birch, that fit within your price range, these might sacrifice the customization and personal collaboration you want. By having more control over the final product, and with co-collaborators vested in achieving the best outcome, you can ensure the mattress meets your specific needs and preferences, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term comfort and satisfaction.
Remember you project does not stop with the mattress. As you mattress choices lean more firm, you pillow needs may change with it. Allow yourself some time to adjust to the new material of your mattress combination and choose the appropriate pillow accordingly.
You may want to peruse my pillow exploits and obsession for tips on how to choose and how to sleep on you pillow. Position on the pillow can make a difference for those who are more sensitive.
Finally, your foundation. A mattress is only as good as its weakest link. The foundation is part of you mattress system. A foundation like the soon to be released Kinckerbocker Em Brace 360 Platform is one that will be a performance superstar when it gets released in the next few weeks.
I was so impressed with this foundation and its ability to support virtually any weight mattress while effectively controlling motion isolation. I plan to order it for my current mattress, as it will seamlessly integrate with my existing headboard, footboard, and sideboard setup, preserving the cosmetic appearance. Additionally, I won’t have to worry about looking under my bed to check for proper mattress support. This foundation was perhaps the most impressive component I encountered at the mattress and home furnishings show here in Las Vegas.
I know this was a bit long winded, but all with the best intentions as I hope it helps.
Maverick
Thanks for the reply! Was considering a Luxerion Latex King in Soft/Medium/Firm configuration, we prefer a medium/firm mattress, do you think this will work for us? From reading comments some folks seem to think the “soft” Dunlop layer is not that soft, so sort of torn between a soft or medium top layer. Will split the mattress for flexibility for adjustment for wife and me. Also, on the Luxerion am I able to exchange a layer with factory and pay shipping, and how many times can I do that?
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Hey Drak,
@Latex_Mattress_Fact1 is likely better equipped to answer this part of your question. I think it would be beneficial to get their perspective on it. After spending the last three days testing mattresses at the mattress market show, including trying out the same model as my own mattress, It is not hard to acknowledge how much the feel can vary depending on the environment where you try it.
Since your goal is to lean medium to medium firm, you might want to start with the Medium/Medium/Firm configuration. The luxerion all latex has a zippered cover so you can modify it to your personal preferences at any point in time. Leaning firmer than your initial preference is something that is advisable as all foams will soften over time as you break them in.
Do not get stuck on the talalay vs dunlop and the “softness” factor. Both can be manufactured to the same ILD which is an indicator of firmness. The overall feel of both can be slightly different due to the support factor of each foam created by the manufacturing style of each foam. Talalay has a structure/density that is more uniform throughout the layer, where dunlop has a more dense structure as the particles settle towards the bottom of the latex layer during the manufacturing process.
Insofar as splitting the upper comfort layer for personal preferences between you and your wife, the ability to modify any of layers or rearrange them, should not be an issue, but just consult with @Latex_Mattress_Fact1 for all of those details. They are excellent at targeting and anticipating what their clients preference goals are so you are in good hands.
You need not be afraid to just jump in there and get the “bed rolling”, as LMF is a great company to deal with.
Much success with your setup.
Maverick
Hi Drak and welcome to the forums and thanks for reaching out on this! Based on the information you’ve provided, I think the soft setup should work just fine for both of you. Keep in mind that when you put the soft layer inside the cotton & wool cover, it ends up feeling more like a medium layer because the wool in the cover has a big impact on how much you’re able to sink into the latex.
Additionally, if you start on the soft setup and it’s too soft, you can likely fix that by unzipping the cover and move the firm layer to the middle for soft/firm/medium, or you can put the medium layer on top for medium/soft/firm. If you start on the medium setup and it’s too firm, fixing that would require a layer exchange, which is a bit more money and a bit more effort. So it’s always easier to make it firmer than it is to make is softer.
For all these reasons, whenever a customer is on the fence between a softer or firmer setup, I normally recommend they err on the softer side because it’s an easier fix.
You can do one layer exchange within the trial period and it’s $45 but we cover the shipping to and from your location. We will ship your layer first, and we will ship it with extra plastic that you can use to package your current layer, and we will ship it with a pre-paid Fed Ex return label as well. Also, if you will please call us when you are ready to ship your layer back we will schedule a free Fed Ex pick up for you. You will have 30 days after its arrival to return a layer of your choosing.
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