NOVEL ALERT.
My old mattress was 100% latex. I don’t know the specifics, as it wasn’t custom. I can only say it was 8-something inches, and firm. Oh, and I loved it for 8 years. However, over the last few months I could feel it was starting to show its age (probably helped by several moves over the years, including an international one and 2 months on a boat and in storage). It was starting to sag a bit, and most importantly, my back wasn’t feeling good. My SI joint would bother me more than usual, and my whole back was sore for a time after I would wake up. Once I realized it was the mattress, I also realized it was probably the reason why I was more tired than I’d expect to be.
So, time to change - including a new foundation, because an American-sized mattress on a European-sized base wasn’t going to cut it for the long-term.
I visited several stores around me to get an idea of what was available. All I knew from the get-go was that I wanted a 100% latex mattress. I ultimately chose Flexus based on this site’s recommendations and several reviews - plus, they’re a mere 20 minutes away.
Flexus
Henry was extremely nice, informative, and patient. I didn’t have a lot of questions, though, so it was mostly a matter of finding out my best combination of layers. I did try and follow Phoenix’s advice (also Henry’s) to lay on the bed for 15 minutes, in the position I usually sleep in. That was hard 
So I went with 9" firm-firm-medium, queen size. I like a firm mattress, and I have to say, I was a bit afraid that it still wouldn’t be firm enough - it sure didn’t feel as firm as my old mattress, which I always loved. But I figured it was more of a matter of perception and I’d get used to the marshmallow feeling. I’m sure the support is good (I could feel that).
The exchange and return policy is what ultimately decided me to take the plunge : 90 days for ONE layer exchange (free delivery but you have to return the old one), also 90 days for a full refund. The mattress are guaranteed 30 years, but to be honest, past 10 it doesn’t really mean much. Most defects will show themselves long before that.
The whole process was very smooth and fast. I got a nice black Friday discount (replacing the 5% MU one) on the mattress ($200 off), and their usual 10% on the foundation if bought together, plus an accidental 9% off on the foundation (he forgot to add the sales tax, and ended up offering it as an additional discount). I also got two very nice latex pillows (commercial but unbranded, standard size. Add $10 to get them in Queen (also in King but I don’t know how much $$). Pillow covers included).
Delivery is free, and they do deliver the mattress and the foundation in your bedroom, not at the door step. Henry did call me a few days later because he didn’t mention that white-glove delivery for the foundation was an additional $125 (they assemble it for you). I passed on that one, as I knew the assembly was simply screwing the feet on, placing the backup batteries in, and plugging the bed to an outlet. I can perfectly do that by myself for that price !
Shipping is normally 5 business days from the order date. In my case, I placed the order on Friday afternoon, and was delivered today, Thursday.
Delivery
I had a 1h30 delivery window. They called me ~30 minutes before that, asking if I was home, or when I would be. I said I’ll be there in 30 minutes. They were already waiting for me when I arrived. It was right the agreed-upon time. That’s rare enough to mention.
I was surprised that the mattress was assembled. I was expecting to have to assemble it, so that was nice. Maybe that’s because it was a local delivery, not shipping.
The delivery guys (2) were extremely nice and polite, and most importantly, super efficient. They took away my old mattress and base (for a $25 fee), and unpacked everything. Again, I was just expecting them to dump both packages in my bedroom and be done with it, but no. They unpacked the base (and assembled it, despite the fact that I confirmed I wouldn’t pay $125 for that and I could do it myself - and didn’t ask for money in exchange). I guess they took pity on me
All in all, I had a brand new bed and no packing material lying around, less than an hour after I came home from work and it was both a painless and pleasant experience. I can’t stress how pleasantly surprised I am.
First Impressions
First thing I did was remove the mattress to install my bed skirt. OUCH. My gosh is that thing heavy. And pliant. I swear, my old mattress was heavy, but so much easier to move around. This one is literally like a dead weight. Super heavy, and slouchy enough to refuse to budge. I actually had a moment when I thought I wouldn’t be able to put it back on alone in one piece. Phew. They really should add handles. I think I will suggest it to them.
The cover is simple but comfortable. Nothing exceptional here, but it doesn’t need to be. Looks like good quality. It’s only padded on one big side and all the small ones. So no flipping the mattress - if you want to do that, you’ll have to work on the layers instead. The zipper goes all around.
Upon (rapid) inspection, the layers look good and seem to be fine and even.
Nice touch : the foundation is lined with the same material and color as the mattress.
I laid on the bed for a few minutes, and I don’t think it’s too soft after all. I’ll have a better idea tomorrow morning, but it’s definitely firmer than the one in the showroom, which has probably been there for a long time, so I wont judge until I’ve slept in it for a few weeks and given both my body and the mattress time to adjust.
Then I spent half an hour reading with the head and feet raised (after playing with the thing for a good while. Hem.) and I have to say, that is awesome. So much better than laying against the wall - and my back thanked me too. I don’t think I will ever regret buying an adjustable bed. Plus, it’s fun.
One cat also approves wholeheartedly (important). The other thought it was too scary to even enter the bedroom until I hid the bed with the bed skirt and sheets.
And that’s when I remembered I needed to go out and buy a couple of fitted sheets, because new bed size. Duh :huh:
Now, time to go to bed !!! Next episode tomorrow 