Hi songbird2012,
[quote]my question is am I comparing apples to apples with the OMI cascade when I am looking at these?
they seem to all use the 100% talalay latex, wool for the fire protection and organic cotton cover, so to me they seem comparable.[/quote]
Talalay is a production method that is one of two main methods used to make latex. So if completely synthetic latex was used to make latex using the Talalay process (and this doesn’t exist) … it would still be 100% Talalay even though it wouldn’t be 100% natural or even blended latex.
The latex in the Cascade though is made with the Dunlop process not the Talalay process.
There are many different types of latex and each can be more or less expensive, higher or lower quality and durability, and have different properties from the others. There is more about the different types (blended Dunlop, Blended Tlalay, 100% natural Dunlop, 100% natural Talalay, and organic Dunlop) in post #6 here.
100% natural Dunlop and organic Dunlop are basically the same material but the organic has the extra cost involved in certifying the organic farming methods for the raw latex and certifying the latex production as being organic (if the core itself is certified and not just the raw materials). Some people believe that the certification has enough “value” that it is worth the extra cost. Others believe that since the 100% natural Dunlop and the organic Dunlop is basically the same product with the same latex content … that the cost of the certification is not worth the extra expense.
In general … 100% nautral Talalay and organic Dunlop are in the same approximate price range in terms of cost, Blended Talalay and 100% natural Dunlop are in the next cost tier down (not necessarily quality tier) and then blended Dunlop is in the lowest cost (and quality) tier for latex (generally the more synthetic latex it contains the lower the cost).
So to make an apples to apples comparison with the OMI you would need to compare two mattresses with similar amounts of organic Dunlop latex and that have a similar quality ticking and quilting around the latex.
The two that come the closest are in the online list (that use organic Dunlop) are …
https://www.sleepez.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1_4_22/products_id/78 which uses two 3" layers of either 100% natural Talalay or organic Dunlop with a wool quilted organic cover
Full Size Mattress Made with Certified Organic Latex , World's First Mattress With Certified Organic Latex, Latex Mattresses-Talalay and Dunlop, All Products 6’" of organic Dunlop with a 2" top layers (total 8") of organic Dunlop with a wool quilted organic cover.
While these may not be exact comparisons because there are differences in the amount of latex, the amount of wool used may be different, and the OMI is two sided (and a few other differences) … they are much closer to an apples to apples comparison.
Of course if “organic” is not as important … then 100% natural Dunlop and blended Talalay would also make a lower cost choice yet. For those where an organic “certification” is not as important 100% natural Dunlop would generally be considered better value by most people (for those who preferr the feel and performance of Dunlop over Talalay).
So the quality of the OMI is great and they use organic latex (or at least latex which uses organic raw materials) and they are built in an organic factory but unless this is the main factor in someone’s choice (an organic certification) … they are not particularly good value compared to other mattresses that use the same or similar cost, quality, and amounts of the same or similar materials.
None of this addresses the relative value or ordering online vs a local order, the benefits of dealing with the particular outlet or manufacturer you are dealing with, or the value of having exchangeable layering or other options for those who discover that they may want to change the properties of the mattress after a purchase but is simply a more “apples to apples” comparison of the mattresses themselves. It also doesn’t take into account whether you may do just as well and be just as happy with different types of latex that may perform just as well or better and that may have better “value” to you yet and are available both locally or online.
All it really says it that the OMI mattresses for most people are not in the best “value” range.
Hope this helps.
Phoenix