Hi TamingDebt,
Welcome … and I’m glad you found us.
Just in case you haven’t read it yet … the first place to start your research is the mattress shopping tutorial here includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that you will need to make the best possible choices … and know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists (based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you).
Just to clarify some of your comments … a good mattress protector or even a mattress encasement will probably provide more effective protection against dust mites than the type of materials or foams that are in a mattress.
I would also keep in mind that all the latex you are likely to encounter (Dunlop or Talalay made with either natural or synthetic rubber or a blend of both) will all have been certified by either Oeko-Tex or Eco-Institut for harmful substances and VOC’s (see post #2 here) and I would consider any type of latex to be a “safe” material.
Both Dunlop and Talalay come in a very wide range of firmness choices so I certainly wouldn’t assume that Dunlop is firmer than Talalay in general terms because it would depend on the specific thickness and firmness of the layers in a mattress you were considering although it is true that if a top layer of Dunlop and a top layer of Talalay have the same thickness and ILD, and if the ILD is measured in the same way for both of them (which may not always be the case), and all the other layers and components in a mattress are the same, then the Dunlop would probably “feel” a little firmer than the Talalay for most people.
There is more about the different types and blends of latex in post #6 here and there is more about some of the differences between Talalay and Dunlop in post #7 here.
There are also many mattresses that use fire barriers to pass the fire regulations that don’t have any added chemicals that would be completely safe as well. There is more about the different methods that can be used to pass the fire regulations in post #2 here and post #4 here and post #4 here.
[quote]Ideally I’d like to spend less than $1,500. Here are two options I’ve found after several hours of searching:
www.foamsource.com/shop/Latex-Mattress/n...lay-latex-mattress-8
www.designsleep.com/almost-organic-mattr...atural-latex-classic
I’d love feedback on the ones I chose or even alternate suggestions that fit my price range.[/quote]
I can’t speak to the comfort of a mattress or how suitable it will be for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” or PPP or how a mattress will “feel” to you based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more accurate than your own careful testing (using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
When you can’t test a mattress in person before a purchase then most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart (and I would include both of them in this group) who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked that they are familiar with, any special considerations you may have, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about “matching” their specific mattress designs or firmness options to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences or even to other mattresses that they are familiar with than anyone else.
Outside of the comfort and suitability of a mattress though … the most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is durability and both of these mattresses use 8" of 100% natural Talalay and an organic cotton cover quilted with natural wool which are all high quality materials that would make a durable choice and there are no lower quality materials or weak links in either mattress. Both of them would be good quality/value choices that would be well worth considering. Having said that … although they both use similar materials … they may not “feel” the same because of differences in the covers, differences in the firmness of the latex layers, and because the Design Sleep mattress uses vertical channels in the latex that would affect how it feels and performs compared to a solid latex layer.
If you are including online options in your research then the mattress shopping tutorial includes a link to a list of the members here that sell mattresses online (in the optional online step) and many of them also make latex and latex hybrid mattresses that use different types and blends of latex that have a range of different designs, options, features, return and exchange policies, and prices (including component latex mattresses) that also compete well with the best in the industry and would also be well worth considering.
If you let me know your city or zip code I’d also be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in your area as well.
Phoenix