Sleep on Latex?

[phoenix]

Hi Deenster,

Thank you for your extensive knowledge and care in answering all the questions on this forum!

You’re very welcome.

We are in Maine, not many options for actually TRYING these so I am only guessing from reading others remarks and experiences- and understanding those may or may not align with our own experience.

If you’re able to provide your zip code I can see if I am aware of any better brick and mortar options in your area.

I called both SleepEZ and Flexus Comfort and had fine conversations that helped me feel more excited about the multilevel approach.

Both SleepEZ ad Flexus are members of this site which means that I think very highly of them and that I believe that they compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, knowledge, and transparency. They are extremely knowledgeable about latex and different configurations, and I’m happy they were both helpful to you.

I was concerned with the blended Talalay top layer at SleepEZ as I want a less chemical/synthetic mattress.

Any version of latex (Dunlop or Talalay made from natural or synthetic latex or a blend of both) is a safe material and they are normally all tested for harmful substances and VOC’s with the same or similar testing protocols (Oeko-Tex or Eco-Institut). Post #2 here and the posts it links to talks more about testing form VOCs and harmful substances.

You can see more information about SBR and NR rubber in post #2 here. You can also read more about synthetic continuous pour Dunlop latex in post #2 here and there is more about natural rubber and synthetic rubber in post #2 here.

Both synthetic latex and natural latex are equally “rubber” or “latex” except natural latex is primarily isoprene rubber that comes from a tree (which can also be synthesized) and synthetic latex in the case of latex mattresses is made from Styrene Butadiene rubber (or SBR). Both natural and synthetic rubber are stable and inert materials when they are cured. This is similar to tires which also uses various blends of synthetic and natural rubber depending on the specific qualities that the tire manufacturer is looking for. Both natural and synthetic rubber used in mattresses … unlike tires … is foamed rubber which means that there are several other compounds that are needed in addition to the rubber to make the foamed latex core. These include curing agents, gelling agents, antioxidants, mold release agents, and other compounds that are used to make both natural and synthetic foamed rubber. These also become inert when the latex is cured or in some cases are washed out when the latex is washed after manufacturing (which also removes the excess proteins that can be a cause of latex allergies in 100% natural latex) which is why both 100% natural and blended latex will both pass the same safety testing for VOC’s and harmful ingredients, such as Oeko-Tex standard 100, and I personally would have no concerns with the safety of a natural or blended latex.

The salesman helped me figure out that a glitch on the SleepEZ website puts the organic version (which I thought would be much more) was actually LESS than the “natural” version! They said they’d honor that price. Still the Flexus 10" is slightly cheaper. Both are on sale, and are creeping towards $1500.

Yes, both are comparable in pricing. The Flexus 10" queen in their Organic line (all layers 100% NR GOLS certified Dunlop) is currently $1750. Their cover uses GOTS certified cotton and natural wool. The SleepEZ queen Select Sleep 10" Organic line (all layers 100% NR GOLS certified Dunlop) is currently $1795.00, and includes a free sheet set and two free pillows. Their cover is GOTS certified cotton with GOTS certified wool. Both mattress uses good quality and durable materials.

My husband asks if I am getting caught up in the hype of the sales guys and the web info, and if we could stick to closer to $1K by going with a single layer 9" from a company such as Sleep on Latex and still be more comfortable than we are now.

I don’t think you’re falling for any “hype”, as the companies you’re considering represent some of the best latex values in the industry, IMHO. And while I can’t speak to whether or not a more basic latex item would be comfortable for you, there are options from the site members listed in post #21 here, and others online, who make more basic or non-configurable latex mattresses. A 9" mattress would have multiple layers on the inside (latex is generally poured in 6" thicknesses), but if they’re laminated together without a zippered cover, the price of the mattress can often be brought down as compared to a configurable system.

I also wonder if we go with one of the single layer bed-in-a-box options if most people end up getting additional latex topper, bringing the price up to almost the same… ?

That really would be quite variable, with no clear answer regarding how many people purchase toppers down the road, but you are correct that the addition of a topper can bring the price up to that of a component system sing similar overall amounts of material. Most of the simplified choice mattresses use polyfoam cores, so that would also be a difference in quality and durability compared to the SleepEZ and Flexus all-latex models you are considering.

Phoenix