I just got my new Flexus Comfort Quadra-Flex mattress a couple of days ago. I’m having an issue and I did write to them about it (late on Friday, so not really giving them a chance to reply until Monday). But I thought I’d like the perspective of this community as well.
I ordered a soft Talalay comfort layer (which is over pocketed coils) because that’s the exact configuration of another mattress I tried locally. While I loved the local mattress, and it was by a trusted TMU merchant, it cost nearly twice as much and I’m on a budget.
What I loved about the other mattress was that it let my hips and shoulders sink in a bit, which provided such comfort that I could have stayed on that bed in that showroom all day (and all night!).
When I received the Flexus mattress, I found that, as before, my hips and shoulders (esp. hips) did not sink in. The mattress feels hard against my hips, and I have been tossing and turning just as I did with my previous mattress (Level Sleep). I unzipped the mattress a bit to be sure the latex was soft. It’s very soft! I was able to squish it in my hands. In fact, I’m surprised that it was so spongy. I thought it would be more rubbery and have more bounce to it.
I’m pretty confused now. Should latex be that spongy? Isn’t it supposed to be more dense and rubbery? I’m looking at latex toppers, but I’m still pretty confused by this whole thing. I did ask Flexus to tell me the IDL of their soft Talalay layer. But given how soft it actually is (yet how firm it feels when I lie down on it), I’m thoroughly confused as to what I need to do at this point.
I should also add that I have chronic lower back issues (but this forum helped me understand that I’m allowed to have a comfortable mattress ). So I don’t want to go overboard with the softness, but I do want my hips and shoulders to get that pressure relief that they need. I also have sleep apnea and have been so fatigued for so long and my body is just screaming at this point for a comfortable mattress!
Could someone help me understand:
Whether soft Talalay latex should be squishy like a soft sponge instead of dense and rubbery?
What options might help me feel more comfortable in this bed?
Whether this might be the wrong bed for me (which I will dread, since it’ll cost another $99 to return it)?
Good to see you back on the forum and thanks for your question .
Congrats on your new mattress purchase from expert trusted member Flexus Comfort ! My apologies for the delayed response to your post, you may have noticed that the forum is quite lively these days! Back to your situation: have you received a reply from FC regarding your issue?
Good job on making showroom visits and testing mattresses, Janet! Happy to hear that you successfully narrowed down your choices with a specific latex hybrid build in mind. Thanks too for considering another TMU trusted member as well; it’s too bad that they were not within your budget range, but it sounds like they were helpful for your research purposes .
The Level Sleep mattress is a 11" all-foam model featuring a 1" foam comfort layer, a 3"/ tri-zoned “performance” foam layer over a 7" HR foam base. It is available in a single firmness build via use of zoning: the tri-zoning of a soft firmness for the upper mattress area, firm for the lower back/ torso area, and medium for the hip area. The Flexus Comfort Quadra-Flex Hybrid is a 12" mattress featuring a 3" 100% Natural Talalay comfort layer over Leggett & Platt’s QEE Combi-Zone 8" pocket coil unit, also a tri-zoned firmer feeling support core. While your FC Quadra Flex Hybrid’s specs may be similar to the mattress you tested locally and liked, there are many nuances that affect the feel of each mattress. Different manufacturers could have different sources for the Talalay latex that was used. The cover encasements would use different materials, resulting in either a tighter or more loose feel and affecting how your body perceives the Talalay latex layer. The FR barriers used are likely different. The foundations used also play a role in perceived mattress firmness.
“Spongy” is an interesting way to describe Talalay latex’s feel, as it does have a unique springy, lighter, and more responsive tactile feel. Talalay latex is manufactured with less latex rubber, yielding a lighter foam and its texture is often compared to that of Angel Food Cake, whereas Dunlop latex’s more dense foam’s feel and texture is compared to that of Pound Cake.
You may find this YouTube by trusted memberSleeping Organichelpful for understanding the differences in how each of these foams are manufactured, as well as the resulting qualities of each.
I am sorry to hear of your chronic lower back issues and sleep apnea, definitely not an ideal pairing for a restful night’s sleep! It would seem that your 3" soft Talalay comfort layer should be giving you the proper balance of conforming material with just enough pressure relieving “sink” for your hips and shoulders (I’m guessing that you’re primarily a side sleeper?). It would be interesting to hear if perhaps Flexus Comfort would suggest a different topper firmness.
These are questions best answered by Flexus Comfort; they are the manufacturer of your Quadra-Flex Hybrid and would best know what options may be better suited for you, based on their deep knowledge of the latex category and expertise with component design. If you need help reaching out to them, you may ask your questions directly on their Ask an Expertforum or we can help you contact the FC Team directly. Please let us know if you would like our assistance; you may have heard from them already as my response is a little late… .
I called Gardner Mattress and then yesterday, I visited another one of their showrooms. With the experiences I’ve had with beds, and with the issues I’ve had with my back, with the sleep apnea, and with the pain in my hips and shoulders when I sleep on my side, I decided that it’s essential that I get the bed that I tried and loved, but because it was more than I had planned to spend, I wanted to try it one more time. After trying it again yesterday - and really taking my time to be sure - I still love it. A couple of times I even sighed - a sure sign that my body is saying “Yes, Janet, get THIS mattress!” :lol:
Also, I just happened to unzip the QuadraFlex again this morning to feel that latex layer after having tried Gardner’s mattress. I realized that it definitely does have springiness and bounce, at least when I squish it in my hands. It’s just not translating into that feel when I lie on it, unfortunately. It does feel spongier than what I was expecting after trying Gardner’s similar mattress. I will say, the angel food cake comparison is apt here. I guess it’s just a different type of Talalay, although they are clearly both using excellent, certified Talalay latex.
One thing this experience has highlighted to me is the importance of actually lying down on the bed, while also paying attention to the components. I’ve learned so much from this website. Just from reading it, I had a sense that I would probably prefer latex over pocketed coils and I was right. But I still needed to actually try a bed out.
I know that it would cost less to get a topper from Flexus, but after trying two beds that I purchased online, I’m ready to switch to the Gardner bed. This is especially true, given the fact that I purchased the softest layer to begin with. I was just about to call them when I got notification of a reply to this message. I know they ask us to try the bed for 30 days before returning, and I think that’s fair, but I’m still so uncomfortable in this bed (due to my own individual needs and not due to any issues with the mattress) that I’m hoping they will make an exception.
Thanks for underscoring the importance of showroom visits and mattress testing, Janet . It’s not the easiest process and often requires planning and travel; however, there really is no other way to understand what different mattress models of similar constructions would feel to you otherwise. In your case, you were comparing 2 closely related models and the testing provided invaluable tactile information for making a final choice.
Congrats on your new mattress purchase from trusted member Gardner Mattress ! Did you go with a model from the Natural Sleep Collection or their Traditional Mattress Collection? I’m sorry to hear that things didn’t work out with your FC Quadra-Flex mattress and hopefully your new one will be a better fit. Do keep in mind that during the first 30-60 days, not only will your body begin to conform to a different comfort and support feel, but also the newly manufactured mattress will experience a “breaking in” period of sorts and will usually feel a bit firmer in the beginning as it adapts to the user. Feel free to check back later and update the forum on your experience with your Gardner for those following your research, you’ll want to start a new topic once you achieve a happier ending… .
I’ll try to remember to write a message about Gardner after I have the mattress (which will be delivered on June 16, yay!).
I do want to say that both Gardner and Flexus were wonderful regarding the situation. James at Flexus was very helpful and clearly cared more about my satisfaction than about getting me to keep the mattress. Erik at Gardner’s Newton store was very helpful and knowledgeable. Also, both were very kind as I worked on dealing with this situation. I also enjoyed my previous visits to Gardner’s Woburn store, where Court was patient and amiable. Both stores are in Massachusetts and there is another showroom in Salem, MA - a beautiful town, but harder to get to from where I am.
I’m glad I tried the same bed at two different locations, because that means it was not the exact same bed and I felt so comfortable on both - I even found myself sighing a couple of times, a sure sign that my body is on board with my brain’s decision.
I got the Comfort Support mattress, which I think it from the traditional collection. This one has many options, but I got the 3" plush Talalay latex over pocketed coils. Here’s a link to the Comfort Support mattress:
[quote]I’ll try to remember to write a message about Gardner after I have the mattress (which will be delivered on June 16, yay!).
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Thanks for your support of trusted member Gardner Mattressand congrats on your new mattress purchase! We look forward to your future review of your Comfort Support mattress following a sleep trial adjustment period. Did it arrive yet?
I am happy to hear that you had good customer service experiences with Gardner Mattress and Flexus Comfort; both manufacturers are extremely experienced and knowledgeable of their products, as well as customer-centric focused. Their genuine concern for their customers’ satisfaction and attention to detail does set them apart from other mainstream retail showrooms; indeed, TMU’s trusted members are most pleasant to work with overall.
[quote]I’m glad I tried the same bed at two different locations, because that means it was not the exact same bed and I felt so comfortable on both - I even found myself sighing a couple of times, a sure sign that my body is on board with my brain’s decision.
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Good call trying the same model at multiple locations, Janet . The more independently your body can verify that the mattress is agreeable for your comfort and support needs, the better the chances are that it will be a good fit for you.
[quote]I got the Comfort Support mattress, which I think it from the traditional collection. This one has many options, but I got the 3" plush Talalay latex over pocketed coils. Here’s a link to the Comfort Support mattress:
Excellent choice with the Comfort Support model! Looking forward to hearing your future updates and hoping that this mattress provides the balance of shoulder and hip sink that you’re looking for.
No, Gardner makes the mattresses to order, so it’s scheduled to arrive on Wed., June 30.
Yes, I was impressed when I asked James at Flexus if I had to wait the full 30 days. He said it was fine and that they wanted me to feel good. This was a much better experience than the last time I returned a mattress. He warned me about the $99 return fee, which I appreciate. I told him I was aware of it and that I preferred paying a return fee and having the return handled properly. It’s scheduled to be picked up on Monday, June 28, so I’ll only need to sleep in the other room (with an old mattress) for two nights, which is perfect.
Yes, hopefully I’ve learned from my mistakes and third time’s the charm.
Just be sure to check in if you don’t get further communication with them about it. I trusted that the pickup company was coming on a Monday at something like 2 pm. I took some time to prepare for the pickup on a very hot day, only to have the pickup company never arrive. But when I called Flexus, Henry did ensure that a company would come pick it up on Wednesday before my new mattress was delivered. So it was all handled, but I wish I’d checked in maybe the Friday before to make sure that everything was confirmed.
Forgot to follow up with this thread until a new post appeared. I’m so much more comfortable now that I have my Gardner mattress! I don’t have time to write anything more, but maybe at some point I will.
Their receptivity and communication with customers are to be appreciated. So I think I’ll buy a mattress from them. And also I would need the second one for camping. Do you know if they sell such mattresses? My hubby is planning next week camping, and I don’t wanna sleep on the hard ground and feel every rock. I read an article on untamedspace.com which would be the best mattress to choose. So, it seems that the air mattress is perfect for me.
). So I don’t want to go overboard with the softness, but I do want my hips and shoulders to get that pressure relief that they need. I also have sleep apnea and have been so fatigued for so long and my body is just screaming at this point for a comfortable mattress!
.