I want to apologize upfront for the likely long post, but I’ll try to keep it short.
Background -
My wife and I currently sleep on a 12+ year old Sterns&Foster King innerspring that has seen better days. I’m 6’3", around 300lbs and need a very firm mattress. My wife is 5’4" and less than half my weight. She prefers a very soft/plush mattress. Needless to say, we are looking at 2 twin XL mattresses to replace our King (even if put into a King encasement).
I’ve only recently become aware of Latex as a mattress material, but have done significant research over the last 1.5 weeks, particularly on this forum. I’m convinced I want a latex mattress. However, we are very budget conscious and my wife is fairly set on only buying a bed that she has already laid on in a store. She is also very partial to innerspring mattresses.
Anyway…I have already purchased one 3" firm twin XL topper (blended Talalay) to experience (it is scheduled to arrive tomorrow). I have also purchased a (special order) 3" quilted cotton and wool encasement from SleepEZ. At this point, I envision (at least for my twin XL) a 9" Talalay mattress with cotton stretch encasement and a 3" Talalay topper in the SleepEZ cover. I’m hopeful that my wife might be open to a similar twin XL for her side.
I think I’m almost to my question…
I purchased my 3" firm topper from Ultimate Sleep for $182 (no tax+free shipping). I’m told the source is Latexco and the shipping originated in Lavonia, GA (Latexco’s plant?). Their website indicates the firm ILD as 34-40. This is a blended Talalay. They also offer (all 3" twin XL) soft 14-19 ILD for $148, medium 22-29 for $161, and medium-firm 28-30 ILD for $171.
The other source I am considering is KTT Enterprises. I have exchanged e-mails with Nancy (very nice) and she has been very helpful. Apparently, there is a very close familial relationship between KTT and Latex International/Talalay Global. KTT sources latex from LI, but also fabricates foam using a “modified Talalay process”. Unlike Ultimate Sleep, their pricing is a flat amount per linear foot, but they appear to offer a wider range of densities. Specifically, 14-19 ILD, 20-24 ILD, 25-29 ILD, 30-34 ILD, 35-40 ILD and 41-45 ILD for blended Talalay. A 3" twin XL from KTT is $205, but does not include shipping.
Both offer comfort exchanges with returned shipping.
So, the short question is…Is the higher price for more varied densities worth it? For me, I’m intrigued by the KTT 41-45 ILD as my base, but will likely use the 34-40 ILD from Ultimate Sleep for my other 6" in the 9". But then I’m left wondering if the 28-30 ILD from Ultimate Sleep for the top layer is too soft. But I’ll leave the actual mattress structure for another post.
I’m really wondering if anyone can provide practical experience with either KTT or Ultimate Sleep. Is latex from either Latexco or LI/Talalay Global “more durable” in a particular density? Should I be concerned about the broad medium range from Ultimate Sleep/Latexco?
Is there a concern of mixing/matching latex from 2 different sources within one mattress?
I don’t want to be completely price driven, but unless the greater variety of densities from KTT is worth the added cost and shipping, I will likely lean towards Ultimate Sleep.
Thanks,
Shaun