What to Buy and How to Know What You Are Truly Getting....

[phoenix]

Hi Mick04u,

How can latex products that consumers receive be truly verified…ingredients (natural, blended, etc.), process used (Dunlop/talalay), ILD, etc.

Without sending them to a lab for analysis (in the most extreme case) I don’t know how you could. At some point you would need to trust the retailer or manufacturer you are dealing with that what they say they are selling is what you would be receiving.

With most offering comfort layer exchanges, how can you be 100% certain that returned latex products are not being repackaged as new? Regardless of regulations that govern this in many states, I have heard that more than half of the industry repackage their products and sell as new.

Again … I would ask them directly and then you would need to use your best judgement and the reputation and integrity of the retailer or manufacturer to decide if they were telling you the truth.

I’d like to purchase them direct from the manufacturer if I could (like Latex International), but would purchase from a reputable online retailer if you could recommend just one…the best of the best in your opinion…

Latex International and other foam manufacturers don’t sell directly to consumers.

I don’t recommend “just one” or choose any specific product for people … only help them with how to choose. There is a list in post #21 here of online manufacturers that are members of this site which means that I believe they are among the best quality and value in the country and that I think highly of. They will give you some great choices and will give you good and accurate information about their products if you talk to them. You can choose between them based on the parts of your own personal value equation that are most important to you (materials, price, return or exchange options, how you feel about them and the information they provide on the phone etc).

I have been looking at the 12" 100% latex mattress from foamsweetfoam. My concern with them is the 4 - 3" layers. Do you think the multiple layers would “stay put” and would the cover not slide? I’m also concerned that the 4 layers is overkill. If I went with their recommended configuration (med/med/firm/extra firm), would the first 2 medium layers allow too much sinking since its 6" to the support layer? Maybe their 9", 3 layer would be a better option (med/firm/extra firm).

You can add Foam Sweet Foam to the previous list because I also think highly of them as well. (NOTE: They are now a member of this site). There are many manufacturers who sell multiple layers and yes they stay put in normal use … and are easy to re-arrange if you move the mattress or otherwise shift the layers. You can read more about the potential benefits of thicker mattresses and when they may be a more suitable choice in post #14 here. Of course multiple layers also give you more options in terms of re-arranging layers to fine tune the mattress to your personal needs and preferences.

And just curious if you don’t mind me asking…what is the brand/specs of your own personal mattress?

I don’t mind at all and it’s been asked many times. It’s my own design (and would be very unlikely to be suitable for most people) and you can see the details in post #4 here.

Phoenix