What an awesome site! Now some questions!

[phoenix]

Hi RoboLobo,

If a manufacturer describes their comfort layer of a particular mattress as containing 1) Talalay Latex (presumably on top, maybe an inch or two?), 2) Visco Memory foam (unspecified density, and I don’t think “Visco” signifies anything, right?), and 3) “Layers of Luxurious High Density Eco-Flex Plant-Based Foam”, what the heck is #3?? Is it Polyfoam in the comfort layer, which I think you think is a no-no unless it’s HR quality?

There’s basically 3 types of foam you will encounter and each has many versions. These are latex in all its variations, memory foam (also called visco) in all its many variations and polyfoam in all its many variations. Each of these can have many names but these are the three main “categories” of foam.

All of these have higher and lower quality versions and in the case of latex the quality can be assessed by knowing the type and blend of the latex. In the case of polyfoam and memory foam … the quality can be assessed by knowing the density (and to some degree the type). If it doesn’t say memory foam (or visco) or latex … then it’s almost certainly polyfoam. Eco-Flex plant based foam is just polyfoam which has replaced a small part of the petrochemicals with plant based chemicals. You can read a bit more about “plant based” polyfoam here and eco-flex is mentioned here.

Polyfoam is not a “no-no” in the comfort layer as much as part of the quality and value of the mattress. In the right combinations, in the right layering, and in the appropriate budget range … polyfoam can be a very suitable material. For example you can see an example of a mattress in the PS of post #2 here which uses 1.5 lb polyfoam that is quite durable but the polyfoam is in thinner layers (less issue with softening) and is two sided (more durable). Everything is about appropriate use and value rather than whether it should be used at all. In the same way for example … an inch or two of 1.5 lb polyfoam that is used under other better quality layers will be more durable than if they were on the very top of the mattress and this may be an appropriate way to lower the cost of a mattress.

If the mattress is 14", how many inches does the innerspring take up?

It depends on the innerspring … generally from about 6 to 10. The manufacturer should be able to tell you this.

Is this plant-based foam a polyfoam that perhaps a transition layer between the actual comfort layer and the innersprings? I am puzzled! Finally, how much attention needs to be paid to the base layer of a mattress? Am I correct in assuming that is simply a very dense polyfoam? Thanks as always for making me go into the light B)

Plant based polyfoam can be used in any layer that regular polyfoam can be used (comfort layer, transition layer, support layer). The base layer is generally not the weak link of a mattress in terms of durability but it can make a significant difference in the performance of the mattress as well as its “value” so I would certainly pay attention to it.

Phoenix, I hope that you don’t think I’m sticking the cart beofre the horse again. I am seeing that your philosophy is for people to go try out mattresses, note the ones they like, ascertain the components in the liked mattresses, and if those components are underground-approved then perhaps go looking for similar mattresses, especially if the sampled mattresses are overpriced models from you-know-who(s). Alternatively, if the mattress feels good but it’s components are low-quality, then it’s Caveat Emptor if you decide to buy it, but instead you should just look for better mattresses that might generally provide a similar positve vibe. I think what I’m doing, since I have yet to go out and extensively sample mattresses, is poking around various manufacturer web sites and trying to qualify or disqualify certain mattresses based on what info I can glean from the web site and perhaps through follow-up phone calls or e-mails. Part of this seems legitimate, as from reading your articles it’s a given that there are objective judgements that can be made about the quality of mattresses, and by extension certain ones can be disqualified without even having to be in the same room or city with them. On the other hand, even if I’m not specifying the manufacturer (which of course you know), I apologize if you’re getting the feeling that I’m asking “Hey what about this one? Hey what about that one?” That’s not my intention, but maybe I’ve got things upside down :silly:

I think that more than anything my “philosophy” is to gather some basic information about mattresses and materials, eliminate the worst choices, test for the materials you prefer, and to “connect with the experts” for the rest. Post #1 here is basically the process I recommend. I think that you may be putting too much emphasis on “becoming the expert” rather than “finding the experts” who already know most or all of the things you otherwise would need to learn (and that will take you much longer that you would probably be comfortable waiting to buy a mattress).

I would focus on knowing basic information about the quality of various materials so that you can ask better questions and better identify who knows what they are talking about and then work with the most knowledgeable people that you can rather than trying to learn everything about mattress theory, design, and construction which is a learning curve that may never end (or a hole where you never find the bottom depending on your perspective :))

I think you are focusing more on mattresses rather than gathering some basic information and then focusing on who you are buying from and their ability to guide and help you which is a much simpler approach. There is always a balance between trying to learn too much information (leading in many cases to paralysis and never ending indecision and second guessing) and not learning enough (leading to buying poor quality and value mattresses which in many cases aren’t even suitable for the person using them.

Phoenix