Hi Marcusinct,
The Pure Latex Bliss mattresses are all talalay latex from top to bottom (at least in the models that don’t have an innerspring) which is part of the reason I like them. While they are certainly not in the same value range as many all talalay latex mattresses made by local factory direct manufacturers … they are certainly better value than most so called “latex mattresses” available from many mass market outlets or made by major brands which usually are only “part latex” at best and have a thin layer of latex at worst. Because the specs of the Pure Latex Bliss are known … they can also be a rough guideline for an online purchase.
Many of the members of this site that are listed here make latex mattresses that use different types and blends of latex in a wide range of designs that are available for shipping across the country. In your case however I would certainly take a look at the local manufacturers first because you may find similar value and there is real value in being able to test a mattress personally.
Because you are in the northern part of Connecticut … there are three more to add to the list that are very close to you …
https://yankeemattressfactory.com/ Factory direct manufacturer in Northampton, Agawam, Greenfield, Springfield, MA. They make a wide range of mattresses using innersprings, memory foam, latex hybrids, and microcoils that are good good quality/value. NOTE ADDED: They are also now a member of this site.
http://www.sigmamattressfactory.com/Home.html They are a factory direct manufacturer in Feeding Hills, MA and make a range of mattresses including microcoils. They don’t list it on their site but they will also make a latex mattress and can custom build.
http://www.flybynight.com/ Retail direct outlet in Northampton, MA. They carry Berkeley Ergonomics mattresses which include all latex, along with latex and microcoil hybrids and Pure Latex Bliss, Gold Bond, and Ecosleep as well.
Post #4 here also has several options centered around the Coventry, CT area that may be worth including in your research.
These along with some of the closer manufacturers in the previous CT list should give you some great choices in a wide variety of different mattresses (so you can test for how each type of mattress feels). There is also some very good value here.
This would be more a matter of preference and how each material interacts with your weight and body profile. Different people describe the different versions of latex in many different ways even if the material is the same. I would guess that given your waterbed history that you would likely prefer softer Talalay in the comfort layers but your own experience in actually lying on a mattress would be far more accurate because it’s difficult to know how someone will actually “feel” on any particular mattress. There is very little difference in the feel of blended talalay and 100% natural talalay in the same ILD but for those who feel a difference they would probably describe the natural as being more “springy” or “buoyant” yes. There is certainly a difference between the feel of talalay and dunlop and while most people would describe the dunlop as less lively … there are also some who describe Dunlop as more bouncy and latex as more springy. Again … what each person feels depends on different people’s subjective perceptions and on different combinations of weight and body shape in combination with different mattress layering and ILD so actual mattress testing is the only way to know for sure which “feel” you prefer.
If you have more questions along the way … feel free to post them.
Phoenix