I genuinely appreciate the mountain of information on this site. I have learned a lot about various mattress options and am close to being ready to purchase a new one, but I still have a few questions.
Based on my research concerning comfort, support, and durability, I’ve narrowed my purchase decision to a latex mattress. Within the latex options, I’m not sure which direction I should go. I would appreciate any specific advice that could be offered to help me make a final choice.
Option 1: Spindle Abscond: 3 x 3" of continuous pour natural dunlop + 1" wool and cotton cover. $1282 after coupon + free shipping for Queen size.
It is my understanding that the Mountain Top natural latex continuous pour process is not exactly the same as the traditional 100% natural dunlop process. As a result, their method offers a greater variance of ILD options, including softer ILDs, and also provides more consistency within the latex overall. If true, do you believe the Mountain Top process is a new and improved method for dunlop, especially for those customers who want more consistency within the latex and/or a softer matress?
I like the idea of having 3 separate latex layers because of the adjustments that can be made to find the right fit. In addition, Spindle also offers a 365 day comfort exchange for a flat $150. It appears that one is not required to send back any of the three layers of the original purchase which would allow even more comfort options moving forward. I would originally select the medium firmness but would like the option of adding a soft latex layer of natural dunlop if I see the need, especially if the continuous pour process actually makes a difference in the soft layer compared to other dunlop options.
I noticed that Spindle previously offered a synthetic dunlop option. The owner of Spindle said he thought so much of the synthetic option that he sleeps on one himself but dropped synthetic dunlop because of marketplace demand. His opinion of synthetic dunlop struck me as interesting considering the general view I keep reading is that natural dunlop is far superior to synthetic.
Is natural dunlop really that superior or is much of the consensus more about marketing and theoretical differences compared to actual real life experiences? I don’t mind paying more for an improved product that will be more comfortable, supportive and longer lasting, but I don’t like the idea of paying an extra $500 just so I can say I bought a natural product if it isn’t actually an improvement I will actually notice over time. I could always pick the Ultimate Dreams Freedom for much less than the Abscond, though I don’t want to buy an admittedly inferior product just to save a little money. Quality counts assuming it isn’t mostly marketing speak.
Option 2: Arizona Mattress Adjustable Ultra Plush Latex Sleep System (Blended): 1 6" layer in halves + 2" or 3" topper + 1.5 inches wool and cotton cover. $1135 + shipping for 2" topper after coupon or $1216 + shipping for 3" topper after coupon.
I might choose a Talalay mattress over a pure dunlop all other things being equal (especially for the top layer) because of the comfort properties of Talalay compared to dunlop (though the continuous pour process of Mountain Top appears to lessen the differences between Talalay and natural dunlop for lower ILDs).
My primary concern with the Adjustable Ultra Plush is that it comes in two core halves (their ultra plush full layers are not available to ship outside of Arizona). What difference would this make for a single person compared to a latex bed not divided in half? I understand how two sleepers might prefer the ability to have two different firmness levels based on personal preference, but would a single person notice a difference sleeping in the middle of the mattress between two halves?
3 3" layers (the Abscond) provides more adjustable firmness options over a 6" layer + a topper (Arizona Adjustable). I’m not sure if it matters if I can get the firmness I want right to start, but if it’s not the way I want it, the 3 layers would probably make it easier for me to get the exact firmness I want. Arizona offers what appears to be a 60 day layer exchange for the cost of shipping both ways. The Abscond seems to offer a better deal because one gets to keep the original layers and the extra layer for a flat $150 extra. Someone correct me if I’m wrong with the policy of either manufacturer.
If the talalay latex is the best option for me (I like the idea of the talalay softness although I do also want strong support) and the fact the mattress is split into two isn’t noticeable for a single sleeper, and I can get the firmness equation mostly right from the beginning, and it isn’t better just to go with a DIY route, the Arizona Adjustable appears to offer the best internet price for a talalay bleneded queen-sized mattress with 9" of talalay. The Abscond is a little less (-$60) due to shipping costs and offers a less expensive and more valuable comfort adjustment option.
My general question is whether most consumers actually prefer Talalay over natural dunlop over the long run and is it worth it to most consumers to pay just a little more. If the reported improvements with the Mountain Top continuous pour dunlop process bring the dunlop closer to the talalay in real world performance (especially at the medium firmness levels), then the Abscond may be a better value proposition.
Option 3: DIY
What about simply buying three 3" layers of the exact same size of latex (with various preferred firmness levels) from an internet dealer and then buy a similar wool/cotton cover to the ones offered on the Abscond and the Arizona adjustable?
For example, Flexus Comfort offers natural Talalay toppers (22-24 soft or 28 medium) without covers for $335 each with free shipping. If I can buy a similar cover to the ones offered by Arizona and Abscond for approximately $300, other than comfort exchange policies, how would that be any different than purchasing a latex mattress such as the Abscond or the Arizona Adjustable Plus? The cost would be roughly the same and I would have to put together each of these mattresses just the same.
It is my understanding that natural talalay may not be as durable over it’s life as blended talalay for softer ILDs (though it typically costs more than blended talalay regardless), but would I actually notice any real world difference with 2 28 ILDs and 1 22-24 comfort layer compared to a blended talalay with similar ILDs?
There are also a variety of blended talalay topper options from other manufacturers, although the Flexus pricing for natural Talalay appears to be comparatively low. For example, Arizona offers 3" 28 ILD blended talalay toppers for $318 + shipping. Brooklyn Bedding offers blended talalay with covers for $374 with a $50 shipping 30 day exchange policy per layer.
I understand I will ultimately have to make my own choice on which solution is best for me and I imagine all of these choices would prove to be good ones, but I’m not an expert and any further information that could be provided would be helpful in my final decision.
I would pick the Abscond if I was fairly sure their continuous top Mountain Top dunlop latex would be just as comfortable as the Talalay options and that the $150 comfort adjustment would prove to be a nice value-added bonus.
I would pick the Arizona Adjustable Plush option if I was fairly sure the two halves would not be noticed if sleeping in the middle of the mattress and that I can narrow down the comfort on my first try without looking at the real possibility of having to pay shipping both ways for a comfort adjustment.
I would pick the DIY route through Flexus if natural talalay is in practical terms as close to durable as blended talalay for 22-24 ILD and 28 ILD talalay latex and the final result after buying a quality cover is basically the same as buying a complete mattress with 9" of latex.
Thanks for any help that can be provided in helping me choose one of these latex sleeping options. I genuinely appreciate it!