Stearns and Foster Zen Body Pure Latex Mattress from CONFUSED in Canada

[phoenix]

Hi susan@1,

The Zenbody in Canada is similar to the Embody line in the US except it is actually better because it uses a smart latex support core rather than the engineered polyfoam used in the US.

The “smart” latex that Sealy uses is made by Sapsa (which Sealy used to own) and is a mostly synthetic form of Dunlop (in other words a lower quality and the least expensive type of latex). Sapsa doesn’t make talalay and “smart latex” is a continuous pour version of Dunlop. This article will give you some reference points about the different types of latex (two different processes called Dunlop and Talalay are used to make it and each of these can use either 100% natural latex or a blend of natural and synthetic latex). In general the best combination of performance and value is either blended Talalay or 100% natural Dunlop although this may not be the “best” choices for everyone because personal preferences will also play a role and each person has different ideas about what is most important to them.

The sales people seem surprised to have us ask them these questions. We are still confused as to how important it is to look for ALL NATURAL as opposed to the synthetic.

Salespeople in most mass market mattress outlets are trained in marketing but know very little about the materials in the mattresses they sell. they are used to customers who are “following advertising” and not to customers who are educated about mattress materials or who know more than they generally do. Hopefully the previous article I linked will help you decide which of the differences between natural and blended are most important to you.

It is my understanding that as far as the Pure label goes - PURE means there are no fillers?

Pure can mean whatever someone wants it to mean. It is mostly a marketing term. Pure latex for example could be 100% synthetic latex because synthetic latex is just as much “latex” as organic latex. It’s just made with chemicals (usually Styrene and Butadiene called SBR) and not from the “milk” of the rubber tree. “Pure” memory foam means that all the chemicals are part of the memory foam formula and this could be a very wide variety of different formulae. It’s meant to mean “no fillers” but that leads to the question of what is a filler because even organic natural latex has other materials that are used in its manufacturing and is only somewhere in the low - mid 90’s in terms of percentage of actual rubber content.

i do not know whether more synthetic latex in the mix will mean that this mattress will be less breathable making it therefore more hot?

The airflow and cell structure of the latex will have more to do with breathability than the type of latex. In general … Talalay latex is more brathable than Dunlop latex. There are many other factors in how hot a mattress sleeps besides just the type of foam and some of them are in post #2 here.

Also in this mattress the two density layers are glued together and not sure why or if this would be a plus or negative. The mattress cover is polartec. My husband is getting frustrated with all this research and because he likes the instore feel of this mattress just wants to go ahead with the purchase.

This would depend on the type of glue and on whether you wanted to ever change out any of the layers of the mattress. It is standard practice though and it is unlikely that you will find out the specifics of the glue that is used in terms of any potential chemical or offgassing issues and they will only tell you it is “safe”. Tthis is just one of the reasons (no real details of the ingredients of the mattress and when you do know it will usually be poor value) I advise against buying a mattress from a mass market outlet or made by a major brand who will not disclose the materials they use. This article may give you a useful set of guidelines that can help people avoid most of the traps and pitfalls of mattress shopping and this article will give you some guidelines in knowing whether you are dealing with a higher quality outlet.

Because this is a clearance warehouse item we will have no sleep comfort warranty. It does, however, have a full 10 year warranty and then another 10 years pro-rated. We would so much appreciate some feedback on this as we have to make a decision in the next few days as we have put a 10% downpayment on this mattress and not sure if we can have this refunded without some dispute?

I personally would not buy a mattress from this type of outlet and while it is one of the “better” Sealy models … I also would also not buy a mattress made by one of the major manufacturers regardless of the outlet. The very fact that you have so many questions that can’t be answered would give me enough warning to think very carefully before pulling the trigger.

Has anybody else out there purchased this partcular mattress? We live on Vancover Island in B,C. (Campbell River), any outlet information would also be appreciated. We are a little nervous about making a sight/feel unseen online purchase for such a big item but not totally averse to this idea. Confused and needing help, Sorry this enquiry is so loaded but we are suposed to be on vacation and this is taking up too much time! Thankyou!

If I was in Campbell River (and I love Campbell river by the way and was originally from Victoria) … I would refer to post #2 here and take a trip to Nanaimo which has some of the best value on the island and better than most places in BC.

Phoenix