Thanks Phoenix, I’m glad I could add something useful. I’ve spent so many hours searching through this site and reading everyone’s stories and mattress journeys (!), it feels good to be able to offer something, even if it’s a small thing, back.
I’m still thinking over my recent experience. A few things that came up for me…
First, latex. I’m wondering how anyone ever figures out what they like re: latex. When I went to Cantoni, they had 2 Savvy Rest beds set up, with different configurations on each side (so 4 options to try), ranging from softest to firmest. The first bed was all Talalay, and had 2 very soft configurations. I weigh over 200 pounds, so they were clearly too soft for me. Way too soft, without a doubt.
I didn’t like either configuration because they were both so soft that I immediately sunk way too far into the mattress… but I don’t have a good way to separate out “talalay” from “soft”, if that makes sense.
The next bed was all dunlop, and had 2 firmer configurations. I liked the firmest configuration (F-F-M) best of the 4… but I don’t know if I like dunlop better than talalay. It would have been helpful to have been able to test two beds with similar firmnesses, but different types of latex.
I also noted that the firm bed (F-F-M - all dunlop) felt best, but was perhaps just a smidge too firm, and I thought I might have problems with my shoulders not sinking in. I tried it with a talalay topper (3") and liked that too - but thought it might be a smidge too soft (hips seemed to sink a little too much).
It’s a little bit crazy feeling. But I had been ready to order a Sleep Ez mattress before the visit, and afterwards, I wasn’t sure that I loved latex as much as I thought I would. I thought the mattresses felt a little like something was missing, and I think it might have been the bounce. I figured that I should try some hybrid mattresses before making a decision.
(Note: I had previously tried out Pure Latex Bliss, a few years ago, two versions of the Original Mattress Factory latex bed, and I think a Marriott bed… a very long time ago, so it wasn’t my first time trying latex. I’m sure that the old Marriott bed had been amazing, I think that’s what first made me aware of latex.).
That’s how I landed at Natural Mattress Matters, looking at the hybrid Berkeley Ergonomics mattresses. And, where I found the second surprising thing…
I’ve seen you say multiple times that the foundation can change the feel of the mattress, but hadn’t really thought much about that. After all, we rarely get to try a mattress on different foundations, so the effect of the foundation is a basically invisible.
When I was at NMM… the first mattress I tried was on adjustable Euro-slats. I didn’t know it at the time… but I really liked the mattress. Then I tried a few more. As it turns out, the slats made a huge difference for me. I tried a zoned latex mattress and thought that the zoning was what was improving the feeling (over the Savvy Rest mattresses, which felt a little dead, non-bouncy, and like I felt a “thud” when I sat on them) - but it wasn’t the zoning at all, it was the flexible slats. Admir was even kind enough to move the latex mattress from it’s slat platform to a regular foundation (with the solid, non-adjustable, non-flexing slats - the standard type that we see advertised for latex mattresses)… and the thud and non-bounciness was back. We moved the first mattress to a normal foundation, and suddenly, I didn’t like it nearly as much.
He also had two identical mattresses from Berkeley (the mattress with one set of coils and 2" of latex) - one on a regular (non-flexing) foundation and one on the Euro-slats. And, even before he told me the difference, I had a very clear preference for the Euro-slats (I didn’t realize at first that it was the same bed).
We tested this several times, in several ways - because I was basically in shock and disbelief. I had always assumed that I’d be getting the standard, flat foundation. I hadn’t even considered the Euro slats. But every test we did… I clearly preferred the Euro-slats by a large margin. I think I need a little bit of bounce, and even with solid latex, the slats seem to give that…
So, my questions were around how durable the slats actually are? These were the ones from Berkeley Ergonomics. The only other ones that I’m seeing online are from Flobeds which, with shipping, cost about the same (about $800, yikes).
I had assumed that with the regular foundation, I’d be able to use it forever (given it’s just some flat wood slats in a wooden box). Do the adjustable slats hold up well over time? They look a bit more fragile… is there a risk of sitting down too enthusiastically and cracking one of the flexible slats?
It also seems (from reading some old entries here) that it can be difficult for people to get the slats right? I hate the fussiness of them… but I can’t deny that they felt much better to me.
I was leaning towards the firmer Berkeley Ergonomics hybrid (there were 2 choices at the store, firm and less firm… I’m not sure if there are other choices and where they’d fall compared to these) with the Euro slats… but, I think the mattress was a little too firm.
And, when I got home that night and crawled into bed, I realized part of what feels “luxurious” to me is having a soft, cushion-y layer on top. I’ve currently got a very old slab of memory foam (I think) on my mattress… it’s super soft and comfy. It’s only 2" but it’s enough to feel really plush and makes me happy when I get into bed.
The bed that I tried didn’t have that, obviously. I tried it with the 2" Berkeley topper (1" latex plus 1" wool) - and that was really comfortable, but the topper was $800… and cost-wise, I can’t really do the euro slats, bed, and topper… even the bed and slats are coming out to quite a bit, a bit past what I was planning to spend.
Questions:
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Already asked above, but how is the durability on Euro-slats? What’s the risk of them breaking, falling out, or wearing out? Ideally, I’d like the keep my next foundation forever! Is that a possibility with these slats?
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With the Euro slats, can you still use a box spring encasement or a fitted sheet to cover the foundation? Or would the fabric over the top interfere with the flexible wooden slats?
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I’ve seen people say that if you’re on the heavier side, you need a thicker mattress. I’m wondering if the Euro-slats actually help with that (i.e. could you get away with a thinner mattress, even if you’re a bit heavier, b/c the slats act like another layer)?
Thank you again for building and hosting this site, and for your expertise. I love that I can search here, and find really good information about nearly any mattress that I encounter (or so it seems, anyway). Thanks!