Hi suz111,
[quote]After doing a ton of research, mostly on this site, I have decided on a purchasing a latex mattress. I do not want to deal with the off gassing issues again. I drove down to Denver a few weeks ago and tried out a few latex mattresses at the Natural Sleep Store. I did not have much time though as I did not drive and the parking was not an ideal situation. The mattresses that felt the best to me were the Bella Sera Nove 3 S,M,F and M, M, F combos. However, neither of them felt just right. The one with the soft layer on top felt of course wonderful when I was on my side but not supportive enough when I was on my stomach. The one with the medium layer on top felt a little too firm when I was on my side. I should note though that I have been sleeping on a tiny blow up air mattress and my back was bothering me a little bit before I went into the store. The third combo that sort of was ok was the Sueno Suerte S,F combo.
I weigh about 110 and am in my 50’s… Not sure if age matters. I also need to purchase a bed frame. I am looking at platform beds with strong wood and slats no less than 3" apart as recommended. I am really over sleeping on the air mattress and need to get moving on purchasing a new bed/matteress as soon as possible.
I plan to purchase a queen size bed. One thought, although crazy, was to get to different combos for the 2 sides. Perhaps S, M, F and then M, M, F. I am leaning towards the 3 layers - 3" each with the 1" cover. Any suggestions on what might work best for a tiny framed, stomach/side sleeper (mostly on my stomach)?[/quote]
Unfortunately it’s not possible to make specific suggestions or recommendations for someone else either for a mattress, a manufacturer/retailer, or a combination of materials or type of mattress because the first “rule” of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or make a specific suggestion or recommendation about which mattress or combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort” or PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) or how a mattress will “feel” to you based on specs (either yours or a mattress) or “theory at a distance” that can possibly be more accurate than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or if you can’t test a mattress in person then your own personal sleeping experience (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).
There is more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of comfort and PPP in post #2 here that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for once you actually sleep on your mattress but when you can’t test a mattress in person (or if you can and you are still uncertain) then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept well on and liked that they are familiar with, any special considerations you may have, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about helping you to “match” their specific mattress designs or firmness options to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences or even to other mattresses that they are familiar with than anyone else so that in combination with your own personal testing you can make the “best possible” choice with the highest chance of success.
There is also more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase in post #13 here which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists (based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you).
It sounds like you’ve seen this already (since you are familiar with the criteria for a suitable support system for a latex mattress) but just in case you haven’t post #1 here has more information about foundations, bedframes, and platform beds and the different types of support systems that are generally the most suitable for different types of mattresses and includes some examples of each of them as well.
[quote]Because of my budget, I plan to purchase the mattress online. I after doing a lot of research and comparisons, I have narrowed it down to Flexus Comfort. The V Zone mattresses at Flo Beds was tempting but it is just a lot more money and I was fine with one type of layer when sleeping on my Tempurpedic bed. I realize that I may not find the right combo the first time, but am hoping I can to avoid the hassle of having to return a layer.
Also, if I did drive down to Denver again before ordering a mattress, any suggestions on places to try out?[/quote]
As you probably know Both Flobeds and Flexus are members of this site which means that I think highly of both of them and I believe that they both compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, knowledge, and transparency and like all the members here they certainly have some great quality/value choices.
The better options or possibilities I’m aware of in and around the Denver area (subject to making sure that any specific mattress you are considering meets the quality/value guidelines I linked earlier in this reply) are listed in post #2 here.
If you let me know your city or zip code I’d also be happy to let you know about any of the better options or possibilities I’m aware of that may be closer to you as well.
You probably know this already as well but the tutorial also includes a link to a list of the members here that sell mattresses online (in the optional online step) and many of these sell latex mattresses that use different types and blends of latex in a wide range of budgets and designs. Post #3 here also includes the ones that sell component latex mattresses.
Phoenix