I want to first thank you for all the resources you provide on this site. It’s been my source of truth as I work my way towards finding the perfect mattress.
I’ve had an ~$800 Simmons Beautyrest for about the last 3 years. It’s actually my second one after I had to return my first one through the warranty because it was sagging after only about 6 months. It’s been 3 years and I’m already starting to feel sagging and just an overall lack of support. I have a bad back, so good back support is extra important to me.
After doing research, I went to a Nest bedding showroom and tried a few of their mattresses and really liked the Hybrid Latex (Medium). The only thing that worries me about it is that it uses a 2" wool filled top layer. Since I have a BMI of 22, I’m worried that this could cause durability issues (going by your durability guidelines). I don’t want this to end up like my current mattress, which has a top plush layer that’s lost much of its support. Since I’m so light, I think the top layer would be the most important.
Do you think this top layer on the Hybrid Latex would be a long term durability issue? If so, do you have any recommendations for similar mattresses without this top layer?
Thank you. I’m happy that the site has been helpful to you.
I’m sorry to hear about the poor performance of your current mattress. Unfortunately, many of the “major” brands tend to use less durable comfort materials that don’t hold shape as long as the higher density materials that tend to be used by some of the smaller and more local mattress manufacturers.
I’m happy that you were able to test out these mattresses in person, as nothing can replace your own personal experience when lying upon a product.
You are correct that the uppermost layers of a mattress undergo the most mechanical stress. In your current mattress, this would be mostly from lower density polyfoams and perhaps some less dense synthetic fibers.
In the Nest Hybrid Latex, the wool is a more dense and resilient fiber and it is channel quilted to help with pre-compression. The wool will compress by about 30% of its thickness as you sleep on it over time and this will happen faster in the areas you sleep more often or under the heavier parts of the body than it will in the areas that you sleep on less or under areas of your body that are lighter. It will tend to even out over time as you spend more time on the areas that you sleep on less often and they “catch” up to the areas that you sleep on more often over the course of the first few months (up to about 6 months or so) but it shouldn’t have a significant effect on the comfort or support of the mattress. I would make a point of sleeping in different areas of the mattress initially and also rotating the mattress from time to time to help with the process. The latex under the quilt panel containing the wool is very resilient and this will have a minimal softening over time.
While there will be some settling of the wool over time, with the method of quilting and the overall construction of this mattress, I personally wouldn’t have a concern with the componentry used in this mattress for your BMI. I’d suggest a detailed phone conversation with Nest Bedding or another visit to their showroom before making any final decisions so that you can confirm you comfort preference and have all of your questions answered to your satisfaction. As I think you’re already aware, Nest Bedding is a site member here and I think highly of their products and advice.
