Natural all-latex options for Austin area

[phoenix]

Hi cat,

Lots of helpful info here, but I find myself a bit overwhelmed.

I would start with post #1 here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choice and help you with the “overwhelm”. I would make sure you read it like a good book and not 'study" it like a school textbook.

I was originally looking at the base option from Habitat Furnishings, largely because the long trial period and return policy seems pretty great, the limited selection offers simplicity, and less than 2k for a complete set (mattress, foundation, topper, mattress protector, shipping) appeals to the beau’s budget; to be most accurate, less than $500 would be closer to the beau’s ideal budget, but I just got a job, and I’m the one sleeping poorly, so I am all motivation to pay for quality.

A forum search on Habitat (you can just click this) will also bring up more information about them. There is a fair bit of misinformation on the site and there is also better value available.

Natural dunlop for a core seems like the best value option for price and durability; is the only advantage of talalay relative softness? I have checked out some of the recommendations. Pricewise, mattresses.net and SleepEZ aren’t much more expensive, but the trial period for HF would seem to add value above any less-expensive listings (not that I’ve run across many yet.)

You can read more about the different types of latex in post #6 here. Dunlop and Talalay are roughly equivalent in terms of durability. The choice between Talalay and Dunlop is really a matter of preference and both make very good choices in either a comfort layer or a support layer depending on which of the two materials someone prefers and the firmness levels of the layers that are most suitable. You can read a little more about the difference in “feel” between them (which is the main reason to choose one or the other) in post #7 here. Your own personal testing will help you decide which one you prefer.

I can’t imagine someone not knowing whether they like a mattress or know whether it’s suitable in the first 60 or 90 days and I think a one year trial period is more about marketing than anything else. Both Mattresses.net and SleepEz are less expensive and/or offer better options for equivalent mattresses although Habitat has lowered their prices so they are a little more competitive than they used to be.

I was also considering the usboxspring foundation, though the Ikea Sultan Laxeby is appealing. Is there really such a huge difference in foundations that buying a mattress/foundation set is a better idea than getting either of the two I’ve listed?

A good foundation or support system (such as a platform bed) is essential for a latex mattress and a firm non flexing slatted foundation with slats no more than 3" apart is ideal and the most common choice. If you test a mattress on a flexible foundation and it works well then I would buy the foundation I tested the mattress with but other than that I would lean towards a non flexing foundation rather than introducing a new variable such as a foundation that flexes that can affect the feel and performance of a mattress. As long as the foundation is suitable for your mattress then it really doesn’t matter which one you get and there is no real reason to buy a mattress and a foundation together if there are better foundation options available elsewhere. The Laxeby is not a “stand alone” foundation and only replaces the top slats … not the whole foundation … and it needs either a bed or a foundation that fits it to go under it. If you are seriously considering the laxeby then the adjustments would have a bigger effect on a thinner mattress and it may be a good idea to first test the mattress on the floor to see if you could benefit from the additional flex or adjustments of the Laxeby before you buy it and a bed to support it.

To reiterate my main request, I’d appreciate some mattress suggestions similar to Habitat Furnishings in price for single-layer all-latex natural Dunlop.

The members here that sell latex mattresses online are listed in post #21 here and there is a wide range of different options available.

Phoenix