Pros And Cons of My 3 Favorite Tested Mattresses?

[phoenix]

Hi willwantstosleep,

1) When you referred to the thicker and nicer (for me) comfort layer, does that mean just the quilt part, just the zippered topper, or both?

The comfort layers of a mattress are the upper few inches of foam and/or fiber that you sink into and creates the pressure relieving cradle of the mattress (see post #4 here). You will sink into thicker and softer comfort layers more deeply which can redistribute weight more effectively and improve pressure relief and “comfort” but it also increases the risk that your heavier parts (like the pelvis) will sink down too far and create alignment issues. The balance between comfort/pressure relief and support/alignment in all your sleeping positions is the key behind all mattress design and theory and is why different mattresses are suitable or some people and not for others depending on their body type, sleeping style, and individual preferences.

And it sounds like there would at least be some slight degrading over time, as a few parts of this mattress are softer 100% natural Talalay… I’m just wondering how much of this I can expect:

There is no way to quantify this with any precision because of all the variables involved in durability except to say that less durable materials will soften and break down faster than more durable materials. Softness is also a secondary durability factor and softer / thicker layers of the same type will have a bigger effect on durability than firmer / thinner layers. There is always some tradeoff between softness and “comfort” and durability. There is more about the factors that are involved in the durability and useful life of a mattress in post #4 here and the other posts it links to.

2) Will it still hold up better than any non-latex material?

All latex is a durable material compared to other types of foam yes so less durable types latex is relative to other types of latex. It will also depend on where you are inside the range of PPP that is most suitable for you. If you are “close to the edge” of a mattress that is too soft then even a small amount of normal foam softening can put you over the edge and even though the materials are still in almost new condition the mattress may no longer be suitable for you in terms of PPP. This is why no matter what the quality of materials in a mattress it’s a good idea to make sure that a mattress isn’t too soft for your specific needs and preferences.

3) Will the fact that only a few of the layers are less durable make it hard to notice the decline?

Thinner layers of less durable materials will lessen the impact of foam softening compared to thicker layers of less durable materials yes.

Phoenix