Greetings Phoenix, I have been researching my purchase for a little over two weeks (currently sleeping on the floor, after realizing how much of a scam the mattress industry has turned out to be…and saved by the fact that Sam’s Club has a favorable return policy).
I am in the Roanoke, VA area and I visited nearly all of the locations you suggested. Interestingly, one of the most informative places turned out to be Mattress Outlet in Christiansburg, though the products themselves were not really what I was looking for. It was the first place that ever mentioned foam densities, layers of the mattress, and The Mattress Underground. I have subsequently visited at least 15 mattress locations, tried out many, and heard many different sales pitches (the majority of which were repetitive and included a whole lot about amazing warranties…enough said).
Anyway, I have decided I want a latex mattress. I am not quite at a point in my life where I can afford several thousand dollars if I do not have to (but am also at my wits end with regard to poor sleep, so am prepared to basically mortgage my financial future to get this purchase right).
I have currently narrowed my desired choices down to:
-
Sleep Essentials Perfection 30 (perfectlatexmattress.com) - I am 6’2" 320 lbs and looking at a King Size. I have found I prefer a firm surface, which would likely work best with my large size. Lee (the owner) was very helpful and seems pretty darn trustworthy. I loved the feel of all three of his latex mattresses and the cost was not completely outrageous ($2500 for King, with foundation). However, I am not working the most well-paying job right now, so the investment may be a little steep for my family right now. But I would still pull the trigger if I did not com across a better option. I like the fact that the mattresses are completely made of latex and the feel incredibly supportive and responsive.
-
Ultimate Dreams - I am planning on talking to Chuck tomorrow to decide if the 100% Latex mattress (@ $1799, without foundation), or the Eurotop or Ultra plush mattresses are the best option for me, considering comfort AND cost.
My question to you is this…I have seen where you stated that Ultimate Dreams is a quality option, even comparing it to 100% Latex mattresses, despite the presence of several inches of polyfoam (which I know is of higher quality in the Ultimate Dreams compared to most manufacturers). Are you basing your opinions of Ultimate Dreams on the overall value? I am scared to death of buying anything with memory foam right now (obviously my Sams Club failure was memory foam) based solely on durability/support concerns. I enjoyed my memory foam mattress for about 4-6 months before things went rapidly downhill. I am not worried about sleeping hot, off-gassing/smells etc. but am extremely concerned about softening, body impressions, and weakening support. I do not expect a mattress to last more than 10 years, but I expect it to work VERY WELL for those 10 years.
Obviously, the prices are far more attractive for the Ultimate Dreams product compared to Sleep Essentials and I understand enough (thanks to this site) about the reason for difference in price based on materials. I feel like I am sacrificing a lot in quality by going with a mattress that contains 5+ inches of polyfoam, even if it is in the support layer. Is this not a pretty significant weak link in the longevity of the mattress? I am not trying to question or doubt your advice, but mostly hoping for some education on what I am sacrificing if I go with the Ultimate Dreams mattress (at a cost between $750 to $1800 depending on which option I go with) compared to the Sleep Essentials at $2500. Again, I understand the difference in material, but do not understand if I am sacrificing longevity and overall comfort significantly.
I realize I am probably leaving out many pertinent details but hope for a reply from you at some point in the future. This site is amazing and I am grateful for the resource you have provided. I never would have found some of the mattress places I have tracked down without this site and I certainly would not have been an even remotely informed consumer. I now know who to politely roll my eyes at and walk away from when they start talking, so for that alone, I thank you.