Looking for mattresses similar to Nest Owl

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
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Hello! I’ve probably been doing way too research, so I have analysis paralysis! I’m 45 years old, 135 pounds, 5’6”, side sleeper with sensitive shoulders and pain in my elbows and hands while sleeping. I’ve been sleeping on a SleepOnLatex medium (the older version with 4” 34 ild dunlop on top of 4” 46 ild dunlop) for about 2.5 years with a LaNoodle topper. This configuration was acceptable until recently, when I realized I was tossing and turning a lot and having trouble with my arms falling asleep.

I ordered some different toppers to put between the LaNoodle topper and mattress as a sort of transition layer. I tried 2” medium dunlop, 2” soft dunlop, 2” super soft talalay, 2” medium talalay, and 3” medium talalay. The best seemed to be the 2” medium talalay. I’ve been on this configuration for about a month (SOL mattress, 2” 28 ild talalay, LaNoodle topper) and it’s better. I really like how my toppers feel, but as the night goes on, I become more and more aware of the firm slab underneath me. But when I tried 3” of medium talalay, it just felt like too much: a bit unstable and harder to turn over. So my best guess is that my base mattress is just a bit too firm for me to get the comfort I want as a side sleeper. I feel the urge to add thicker/softer layers to distance myself from the firm base, but then it feels unstable, my hips dip too far, and I get lower back pain. I didn’t try the 3” medium talalay without the LaNoodle topper, as I struggle to sleep directly on latex. I like that the LaNoodle topper takes the edge off.

I’m wondering if I would do better on a latex hybrid mattress as a side sleeper. In the past, I had a diy build that worked well with 8” Bolsa coils, 3” medium dunlop (outside the mattress cover, as the cover was too stiff), with the LaNoodle topper. Granted, this was 5 years ago, so this exact build may not work for me, as I feel my comfort needs have changed over time. But I remember having the springs felt nice. I also had a Brooklyn Bedding Bloom hybrid, which was the only bed in a box that I liked. It was comfy and required no topper because the top ticking was amazing. I moved and had to give it away. When I got to my new state, I ordered another Bloom. Sadly, it was like a completely different mattress: way too soft, springs had no support, my partner and I had rolled into the middle in a pit by morning. It got returned.

I’ve started looking at different hybrids and the Nest Owl caught my eye because it has 3” of talalay over springs and the cover appears to be plush because of the quilted polyfoam. I’m hoping it would feel like a traditional pillow top mattress instead of the firm latex slab that I can feel under my toppers. I’m concerned as I’ve ordered a couple different bed in a boxes previously and was underwhelmed by them. Also, the bad reviews of Nest scare me, particularly regarding the springs sagging. It sounds like this was a known issue, and I don’t know if it’s been resolved. The only reason I’d consider at least trying it is the 365-day trial period, during which I would monitor the springs. I also think the Owl is expensive for what you are getting. I realize you are prepaying for the comfort exchange layer. Lastly, I’m slightly concerned about it containing silica.

I just haven’t been able to find a latex hybrid that has a similar cover to the Owl. I’m guessing because people shopping for latex are likely turned off by polyfoam layers? I like that it looks like a traditional mattress and I’m guessing the polyfoam layers help the latex to not have as much pushback. Most of the latex mattresses I see have a stiffer cover quilted with wool (Sleep EZ, Latex Mattress Factory, Arizona Premium Mattress, etc), and those make me feel like I’m on a drum. Are there any other options I may be missing? I guess I’m wishing for a latex hybrid that has a cover where the top ticking is comfy enough that I wouldn’t need to add one or two toppers. Or am I better off just finding the best quality hybrid and adding toppers again? The other option I’m considering is the Turmerry DIY hybrid, as it looks like it may have better quality coils than the Owl. It doesn’t have the nice, puffy pillow-top look like the Owl, but I could put my LaNoodle topper on it.

Any advice you can give is appreciated!

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Hey SadieKatt.

Welcome back to our Mattress Forum! :slight_smile:

Analysis paralysis is the worst.

This is where, as you pointed out, hybrids can really shine. The springs add a little “give” under your shoulders while still holding up your hips, which usually feels way better for side sleepers. No surprise you liked your DIY coil build and the original Bloom so much. The bounce and adaptability of coils make a difference.

The Nest Owl could give you that pillow-top style feel you’ve been missing, especially with its quilted polyfoam cover that takes away some of the pushback of latex.

If you want something built with high-quality components and a strong track record, the LatexLux from DLX is worth a serious look. It’s got a little bit of both of the components you like about the Owl.

NikkiTMU

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Hi Nikki,

Thank you for the response! I guess I should have included in my post: I had seen the DLX LatexLux and it was my first choice before the Nest. I think it looks like higher quality at a better price. I previously reached out to DLX, but he thought there would only be a 50% chance that the LatexLux would work for me. It sounds like the ticking is quite firm due to the quilting/density of the quilting foam. From what he described, it wouldn’t feel like a pillowtop. He said the only one he’d recommend for me as a side sleeper would be the 14” version. I’m a bit concerned about that one, as it’s already pretty thick, so if it’s as firm as described, I wouldn’t be able to use my LaNoodle topper without it being 16”+. I don’t know if the 12” plus a topper would work, or if that would still not be good for me as a side sleeper. Lastly, some comments on Reddit about the comfort gave me pause. Everyone loves the company and states that the mattress is high quality, but one comment said “The quilting foam has pretty aggressive pushback.” I don’t know if that’s true, as I thought the polyfoam would help take the edge off, but given that comment and the info I received from DLX, I get the impression that the top will feel fairly firm to me. I can use a topper, but then maybe I’m in the same situation I’m in now: too firm of mattress that is hard to fix with a topper. Really bummed as I thought the DLX checked all the boxes. They were super helpful when I emailed them and I’ve been impressed with their responses to customers on here.

So I’m looking at the Nest Owl again. My main concerns with it are the price/value, and that they use hydrated silica in the Owl, which is supposed to have wool and be more natural. Wouldn’t the wool alone be a sufficient fire barrier? I’ve read so much conflicting information about hydrated silica, and the fact that some companies are still using fiberglass but are just calling it silica. Also I’m freaked out that some say that the silica can come out, but would be a powder instead of fiberglass shards. That’s not comforting to me. I don’t want powder coming out of my mattress! So I’d rather just avoid it, but then I’m back to looking at more natural mattresses with latex and wool, which all seem to be really firm. Not sure what other options there are, but the search continues…

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Hi SadieKatt,

I want to clear something up here. Silica is an ingredient in fiberglass, it is not fiberglass.

Some mattress manufacturers use the term silica on their labels to describe fire barriers that do not contain fiberglass. In these cases, silica may be present as amorphous silica powder or embedded within a treated fabric, such as rayon or modacrylic, to help meet fire safety standards. These forms of silica are typically non-fibrous and do not pose the same risks as fiberglass. When used this way, silica serves as a heat-resistant component, but it doesn’t break into airborne particles or shards. These fire barriers are generally considered safe, and companies that use them often advertise their products as fiberglass-free or non-toxic.

On the other hand, some fire barriers labeled with the word silica actually refer to woven fiberglass fabrics, where silica is the primary component of the glass fibers. In this case, the material is a mesh of fine, thread-like strands of glass, commonly known as fiberglass. These fibers can be hazardous if they become airborne, which may happen if the mattress cover is removed or damaged. While the label might say “silica fabric” or “silica-based barrier,” it’s essentially a form of fiberglass, and without clear labeling, consumers may not realize the potential health risks associated with exposure to these microscopic glass fibers.

It’s important to understand that the word silica alone is not inherently dangerous. Silica is simply a mineral ingredient, most commonly found in sand, and its safety depends entirely on the form it takes. In solid or powdered, non-fibrous forms, it does not create dangerous shards or breathable fibers. Only when silica is processed into fine, fibrous strands, like in fiberglass, does it present a risk of irritation or respiratory issues. So, silica on a label should not automatically be assumed to mean the product is harmful; context matters.

Some folks get taken back when the word silica appears. Most companies have stopped using fiberglass in any named form, and some states prohibit it altogether. I am not sure that any Trusted Member Manufacturer uses any form of fiberglass in their designs. We will check on that to be certain. While some of our retail Trusted Members may carry mattresses that have a fiberglass sock, they do not promote them as options here at TMU.

Hope this helps clear things up.

Maverick

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I’ve been thinking about doing a DIY and trying to create my own pillow and quilted top.

Let’s say you have a 9” latex build… buy the thin stretch 10” cover… and then on top of your 9” latex core, add a 2” quilted wool/cotton topper, and then zip inside the cover… stuffing 11” into the 10” cover, with the top layer obviously being the compressed quilted topper. I think this would give you what you are looking for… maybe, LOL

Brett

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Hi Maverick,

Thank you for the info regarding silica. That does help, as it’s been one of my biggest concerns.

On a whim, I decided to try removing my beloved LaNoodle topper. So I have my SOL mattress with a 2” medium talalay topper, and then a 2” Avocado 14 ild talalay topper on top of that. I’ve never been able to sleep directly on latex without my LaNoodle topper, but I thought I’d try it. I’ve done that for the past three nights, and surprisingly, it’s super comfy for me! I think I could actually keep sleeping on this combo and not need to replace it with a hybrid. The 14 ild talalay feels very cushy, but also feels more supportive than the LaNoodle topper. It has pushback, but it’s so gentle that it’s actually comfortable and my joints feel more supported.

My concerns with this setup are:

-It sounds like 14 ild talalay isn’t very durable. It’s also quite expensive. I’m not sure how often I’d have to replace it. Every year? Every two years? That’s going to add up.

-I could try 19 ild talalay instead as a top layer. I’m not sure if I could sleep directly on that, as there might be too much pushback. It’s cheaper and easier to find.

-Another dilemma is that I have two twin xl SOL mattresses that I’m using as a king. I want to downsize to a queen as it’s easier for me to handle/cheaper to replace layers, and I can sleep in the middle without sleeping on a crack. So even if I decide to stick with SOL instead of switching to a hybrid, I would want to buy a queen SOL. They no longer make the medium configuration I have (4” 46 ild, 4” 34 ild). My choices would be the new medium: 4” 46 ild, 2” 34 ild, 2” 19 ild. Or the firm: 6” 46 ild, 2” 40 ild. I feel like the firm would be way too firm and the medium probably won’t work with the topper combo that I like as it’s softer than my current mattress. When I’ve had 19 ild dunlop toppers before, they gave me lower back pain, so I’m not sure how that would work for me, being encased in the mattress.

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It’s great to hear that your current setup is working surprisingly well without the LaNoodle topper. Perhaps the LaNoodle topper offered the right comfort level at the time, and allowed you to adjust to the mattress perfectly at that time.

The combination of the SOL mattress with the medium Talalay and the 14 ILD Talalay topper seems to be giving you the plush comfort and gentle support you’ve been looking for. The LaNoodle topper, much like the baa-noodle pillow, offers a plush feel without the amount of pushback that a solid latex pillow or topper provides. Not that it is bad, but more what your preferences might be. The fact that your joints feel more supported and the pushback isn’t irritating is a strong indicator that this combo suits your needs better than expected, but also may be due to the noodle topper allowing you to adjust to the entire set up.

Your concern about the durability of 14 ILD Talalay is valid, as it can tend to wear out faster, especially under direct pressure. It’s realistic to expect a lifespan of around 1.5 to 2 years before it starts to noticeably soften too much, so cost over time is definitely something to consider. Trying a 19 ILD Talalay topper could help with longevity, but it may change the feel enough that it’s not as comfortable for you, so do not, under any circumstances, get rid of the noodle topper. Layering the 14 ILD over a thinner 19 ILD might strike a balance between maintaining comfort and extending durability.

As for replacing your current SOL mattress with a queen, the new “medium” version does sound significantly softer than what you’re used to, especially with the 19 ILD layer inside. The “firm” model, while it may sound too stiff on its own, could actually replicate your current feel well when paired with your preferred topper setup. Rather than downsize to a queen, why not create a split internal king with your current mattress. This way you could order different combinations of twin xl’s (even less costly than a queen) you will have a greater number of combinations you could create to find you perfect comfort zone, and still use the king noodle topper over it all.

Just a thought.

Maverick

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Thank you for the info, Maverick. I forgot to mention in my post that my SOL king is actually two twin xls. I want to downsize to a queen since I can’t sleep in the middle because I can feel where they meet. It’s a very firm ridge, even with toppers. By downsizing to a queen, I will actually be increasing my sleeping area from a twin xl.

I’ll do some more experimenting with different toppers and look at some local stores to gather more info to help me figure out the best way to go.

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I thought I’d give an update. Even though I have a topper combo that is working for the time being with my SleepOnLatex mattress, I still desire to return to a mattress with springs. After sleeping on a spring mattress for a few nights at my mom’s house, I think it will be a better fit for me. I’ve also realized that no matter which mattress I get, I will be using my LaNoodle topper. I’m a topper person! So that takes the stress out of trying to find a mattress that has a perfect sleeping surface on it’s own.

I’ve visited some local mattress stores to gather information, but it’s difficult as I feel uncomfortable lying on the beds while a salesperson is watching. Part of the discomfort is trying a bed with no pillow (do people bring a pillow from home?), and another part is knowing I’m not purchasing there, only researching. Regardless, I seem to prefer the more expensive (over $3000), thicker mattresses that are at least 14” thick. Not pillowtops, but just a thick mattress in general. While the soft ones feel nice initially, I also really enjoyed the medium ones, and gravitated more to those. There was even one labelled “Luxury Firm” that I felt was a medium.

So I’m considering the DLX again, because I think with my LaNoodle topper, I could get that supportive luxury hotel feel that I’m looking for. The person from DLX cautioned that the top is quilted and not stretchy, but with the LaNoodle on top, I don’t think that will be an issue. The few reviews I’ve seen where people don’t like the pushback of the quilting foam weren’t using a topper.

I think I just need to figure out soft or medium and foam or latex. I’m leaning towards medium foam for the comfort layer for a more traditional feel, but I’m unsure if that will be hotter/firmer than the latex that I’m used to? Maybe I won’t even be able to tell the difference with the LaNoodle on top (which I feel helps a lot with temperature)? I’m hoping foam would have less pushback than latex, as I find that through the night, my mattress can feel more and more firm (even under a topper). I’m unsure about the properties of the foam DLX uses. Some people have said that it’s pretty bouncy and has pushback, but since I’m coming from latex, maybe it will feel more neutral?