Step 1 (initial feel) and already confused

[phoenix]

Hi Pegabo,

I thought more about my question on the last thread, and I’d like to re-ask it in a different, more to-the-point way. I have been to three places and all three had a 6-8" single-layer 100% natural talalay mattress, typically in ILD between 32-36. None of the showrooms had a 6-8" talalay with another thing on top (for example, 1-2" gel or fancy quilting). My question is: why is this so?

There is really no way for me to know why a particular manufacturer or retailer chooses the specific mattresses they have on their showroom floor other than to say they would normally carry the mattresses that they believe would be attractive to a wide range of their local customers. A single layer of latex wouldn’t be more than 6" thick so if there is a mattress on their floor that has 8" of latex in a mattress then it would most likely be a 6" core and an additional 2" layer on top of it (either laminated or loose inside the cover).

What’s so good and “sufficient”, for lack of a better word, about a single-layer 6-8" latex mattress. It seems like a configuration that cannot be played with, other than the ILD, it seems too simple and it seems like a lost opportunity to showcase the same thing but with something on top for those who don’t like the direct feel of latex.

Most mattresses in the industry are “finished” mattresses rather than component mattresses that allow the layers to be individual exchanged or replaced and there are pros and cons to each (see post #15 here and post #2 here). If you tend to prefer the “feel” of another type of material on top of latex then the mattresses you are describing would make a good “base” for any type of topper that you would prefer so you could put together your own sleeping system. The advantage of a mattress/topper combination vs having the same layer inside the mattress is that a separate topper can be replaced without having to replace the entire mattress if it softens or breaks down more quickly than the firmer mattress underneath it (which is likely) or if your needs and preferences change over time.

If you don’t like the feel of latex then there probably wouldn’t be much reason to use latex in the deeper layers of a sleeping system either and it may be a good idea to consider mattresses that use either an innerspring or a polyfoam support core with the type of material you prefer on top of it.

Phoenix