Pure Talalay Bliss vs SleepEZ

[phoenix]

Hi Hairimagineer,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

Please help me with a mattress purchase decision.
How does Pure Talalay Bliss compare to SleepEZ? Is the latex comparable, from the same source even?

Pure Talalay Bliss mattresses are made with blended Talalay latex from Talalay Global. Their layers are laminated into a completed mattress. SleepEZ (one of the site members here, which means that I think highly of them) offers many different component-style latex mattress systems, and you may choose configurations using either Dunlop or Talalay, natural or blended. They do source some of their Talalay from Talalay Global, but you’d have to contact them with any specific configuration to find from where any particular latex layer was currently originating. Both companies use good quality and durable materials.

I found a PTB Beautiful King for $2500 and bought it because it was a close out. That means no returns. I didn’t want it delivered for a week so I’ve been doing research and have found out that the latex is blended, not 100%.

Their line switched over in March of 2016 so you must be looking at one of the older models using the blue/white cover – the Active Fusion line. That latex is indeed blended, not 100% natural (NR), you are correct.

My research also tells me not to be concerned about this because blended can be more durable and consistent, and that the soft layers of Talalay should be blended. Is this true?

All latex, blended or otherwise, will tend to be a very durable product. There is some research from Talalay Global (back when they were Latex International) that points towards their blended Talalay being more durable than their 100% NR Talalay, but these differences would be slight and I wouldn’t generally have much of a concern of one versus another.

I want to go back to the store and ask for a refund because the mattress is still at their warehouse and they were not transparent when I asked about the composition of the mattress. The salesperson really believed it was 100% natural Talalay until he called the rep and found out the truth. I really want to know, is 100% natural better than, the same as, or worse than blended

If your personal preference is that you only desire a mattress that uses 100% NR Talalay and that was your main reason for buying this particular mattress and you were told that it is 100% NR, then you certainly could have a point there. I don’t know about them not being transparent, as it sounds like it was a mistake and they found out the correct information for you. I don’t know that this is exactly the case here, or if you’re experiencing buyer’s remorse and looking for a reason to cancel your purchase.

You can see more about the debate between SBR and NR rubber in post #2 here. The bottom line is Talalay made from natural rubber is more expensive, comes in a less specific range of ILD’s, is heavier, slightly more elastic and springy, has a higher compression modulus and more supportive, may get softer and develop impressions slightly faster in lower ILD’s, and is more natural. The primary reason that it was introduced (in 2005) is to cater to the “natural” market who are willing to pay more for a product which has a more natural source even though it may not be as durable.

Those who value a more natural product for personal reasons and are willing to pay for it (in price and possibly lower durability), or who can feel a difference and prefer the feel that comes from the greater elasticity and compression modulus of the natural would likely choose the 100% natural Talalay.

Those who value the increased consistency, greater choice of softness/firmness levels, or lower cost of the blend or who can feel a difference in pressure relief, would likely choose the blend. Both are great choices and in the end the choice between them is part of each person’s individual “value equation”

Is the synthetic latex unhealthy for the environment or to people in anyway? Is natural latex harmful to the environment?

All the latex you are likely to encounter (either Dunlop or Talalay that is made with either natural or synthetic rubber or a blend of both) will have a reliable certification such as Oeko-Tex, Eco-Institut, Greenguard Gold or C2C and based on actual testing I would consider any type or blend of latex (regardless of whether it is synthetic, natural, or blended) to be a very “safe” material in terms of harmful substances and VOC’s (offgassing).

Is a wool cover preferable to the stretch fabric? I think I’d like the wool cover from trying out Posh and Lavish’s topper but that one might have more latex than wool and that is what I like. Not sure how much wool is in their topper, but there is 1/2 inch in the cover for the SleepEZ mattress which the salesperson told me makes it feel less soft. I want a plush pillowtop feel which I think the wool will give me?

Whether or not you’d like wool in your mattress cover is of course a personal issue. Posh + Lavish uses wool in their Tencel covering on their mattresses, but it is not used in their toppers. It is true that the wool used in the SleepEZ covering and the fabric they use make it a bit firmer than the Posh + Lavish, but I wouldn’t speak to how you may or may not like that. I’m not sure what a “pillowtop feel” is to you personally, but most of the comfort in any topper or mattress will be generated by the componentry inside as opposed to the covering (although a stuff cover can of course mask some of this comfort). The wool can also be nice for humidity and temperature regulation.

I appreciate any feedback. I really appreciate this website, I’ve educated myself a lot this past week. I know more about latex than the salespeople now. It’s frustrating that you can’t learn what you need to know from the people selling mattresses for a living.

I’m glad you like the site and have been able to learn much from it. It is sad to say that most people who have spent a few hours reading on this site know more than a many of people selling mattresses in our industry.

Let me know what you decide to do, or if you have any other questions.

Also, I deleted your second post, as it was basically asking the same question in another thread, so it helps to keep things in one specific thread so that information answering your questions isn’t spread out across multiple areas.

Phoenix