After extensive research and testing, I’ve figured out what kind of mattress I’d like. My previous mattress was a Sleep on Latex mattress with toppers. Over time my comfort needs changed, and it felt too firm and unyielding for a 5’6" 135 pound female side sleeper.
I’ve discovered that hybrids are more comfortable for me. And while I love talalay, I also like some other foams or materials on top to take the edge off. Otherwise, the latex feels firmer to me as the night goes on and I start tossing and turning.
I’m currently sleeping on the Nest Owl, and I like it a lot, except that the springs are much softer than I anticipated. I don’t have any info on them except that they make them themselves and they are 15.5 gauge. From my research, it seems that their springs can have some issues over time. They definitely feel more mushy and bed-in-a-boxy than the mattresses in store, and I want a firmer, more stable feeling spring. Otherwise, I like the hybrid feel and the quilting is very comfy. I like that it feels like a traditional mattress without latex pushback.
I’m interested in the Mattress Makers Cardiff Hybrid. The layers are:
Quilted cover:
Tencel fabric
1" Joma wool
1" Serene foam
1" Memory foam
3" Talalay
8" Texas pocket coils (which I think should be firmer than what I have)
I can’t see this mattress in person, so ordering it blindly is a bit scary. The shipping fees are around $200, as are the return fees, so its a $400 risk. What I like about it is that the quilted layer is similar to the luxury mattresses I liked in store, incorporating layers of foams in the quilting. It can be hard to find a mattress with a zipper that includes both latex and other foams.
What I’m concerned about is if its a bad idea to have Serene foam and memory foam quilted into the cover. I’m worried it will be a weak link. It looks like Serene foam toppers usually have a 2 to 3 year warranty. Does this mean that the quilted layer in the mattress would have an expected lifespan of 2 to 3 years? Mattress Makers even has a video talking about foams and they say that memory foam is “overrated.” I’m also worried it will be hot and I don’t want to need to add layers to “fix” it.
My other option is to get a latex hybrid with firm springs without the quilted cover and layer any foams that I choose over the top. That way they can easily be replaced. I can certainly do that, but for some reason I find the already put together Cardiff tempting. I think its because it looks nice, the quilting looks super comfy, it looks like the “real” mattresses at the store, and its already ready to go. With my Sleep on Latex setup with two toppers, it was ok, but always seemed kind of cobbled together.
Lastly, I’m realizing how much I rely on reviews. I usually read through all of them to get tidbits of information, looking for side sleepers of similar size to see what they say. The Mattress Makers website doesn’t have mattress reviews (there are google reviews for the company as a whole). My interest in the mattress is based solely on the materials/construction and their YouTube channel. I like how they deconstruct mattresses and they seem to know their stuff. I just wish they would showcase their mattresses for the online customers!