Mattress Forum

This would be a personal choice. The best way to know is to lay on both and see how they feel to you. In general Dunlop is firmer and denser and less "lively", Talalay is lighter and a little "livelier". In similar ILD's (a measure of softness) they are not that different but the difference is certainly noticeable to most people. Talalay can be made softer than Dunlop and a lot of people (but not all) prefer it in the comfort layers of a mattress.

All natural or blend?

Most Dunlop will (or at least should be) natural. Talalay is fine in both. Natural is more expensive and may not last quite as long in softer ILD's but some people like the idea of sleeping on the natural version and are willing to pay more for it. It may also be a little more resilient or "bouncy" as it has more rubber in it. Very unlikely you would feel much if any difference side by side though.

What brand?

I would pay far more attention to ingredients than the brand. What is in your mattress is far more important than "brand" in the case of latex ... of course assuming similar quality of construction and cover.

Of the one's you've tried ...

The Nature's rest has quite a bit of poly in the upper layers so what you are feeling when you lay on it is as much polyfoam as it is latex. I would pass on this one as poly in the upper layers of a mattress is a recipe for foam breakdown and depressions.

The Sealy embody is latex over polyfoam. This is OK because better quality polyfoam is used as a support layer and it doesn't break down as easily as polyfoam in the comfort layers. The problem with this though (and with all "S" brand mattresses) is it should be costing you much less since less than half the mattress is latex and polyfoam is much cheaper. They cost as much as an all latex mattress and are good for "testing" what latex feels like but I would never buy one.

The Pure Latex Bliss is a very nice all Talalay latex mattress. It is made by a subsidiary of the company (Latex International) that supplies most of the Talalay latex to mattress manufacturers in North America. It also makes a very good testing ground as there are many "combinations" of mattresses and toppers that are available to "customize" it for what feels good for you. While it is often more than buying something similar online or from a local manufacturer, it is also better value than the other two. If you decide to buy this make sure you check online for prices as the prices I've seen in the florida stores are more than elsewhere.

You really have two approaches you can take. You can either test out mattresses in stores and then "duplicate" the one that feels the best from an online outlet (by writing down the layering in the mattress) or you can purchase locally.

You didn't mention the city so I limited what I looked for to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and there are not many local manufacturers in this area that I know of (there are more that make latex mattresses for boats or don't make latex mattresses at all unfortunately) but what there is may represent your best value.

Here is what  I am aware of to give you some choices in either testing or purchasing ...

http://www.firstclassmattress.com/Mattresses_c_1.html Retailer. Carry Natura which makes a wide range of latex in both Dunlop and Talalay and in "all latex" and latex in combination with polyfoam and springs. These are the only other "national" brand that may compare in value to the Pure Latex Bliss depending on the pricing you encounter.

http://www.demattressinc.com/286546.html Local Manufacturer. They make a range of mattresses including all latex. They are also "good people". They are the only manufacturer local to Miami/Ft Lauderdale that makes an all latex mattress that I know of. This is quite likely to be your best value other than purchasing online (they sell a 9" all latex mattress for about $1500 in a queen).

http://www.restonicflorida.com/products.htm Regional manufacturer. They are a licensee for Restonic which makes "all latex" mattresses and in their case they have a little polyfoam in the quilting but do not seem to add as much as they do in other areas of the country (each licensee makes them differently). They also used to manufacture their own line and still may. I would call them to find out where their mattresses can be purchased locally.

http://www.selectfoam.com/latex-mattress.html Retailer. Carries several latex mattresses in both Dunlop and Talalay including Natura. Not sure if their address is a showroom of if they are strictly online.

http://www.mattressjoint.com/Latex-Mattresses_c_77.html Retailer. Carries Natura and the White Night (same as is sold at sam's club). This is all Talalay and if you like this one I would consider buying it through Sams Club since it is the same mattress and costs less.

http://www.floridaorganicmattress.com/ Retailer. Carry Savvy Rest, Royal Pedic, and Natura. Savvy rest is a layered "make your own" mattress that comes in both Dunlop and Talalay so if they have both to show you then you would have a very clear idea of the layering that works for you. They are more expensive than other online outlets that have an almost identical mattress but are a good testing ground. Royal Pedic is a high quality and very expensive latex mattress that I do not believe is worth the price but would be worth laying on for testing.

http://www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com/storelocator/storelist.aspx?countrycode=USA&country=United%20States&zip=33122 Manufacurer. They make 3 mattresses that have latex (with less than an inch of poly on top) over a poly core. These would be somewhat similar to the Sealy Embody but are lower in price.

http://mymattressxpress.com/broward.html Retailer. Carries Pure latex bliss which you've already tested although it would be well worth trying various combinations of mattress and topper to see what feels the best. Also carry Carolina Mattress Guild (makes latex over poly) and Dormia (makes some latex mattresses)

All in all you have a few good choices and I would put your main focus on finding out what type of latex and layering feels the best for you and once you know this, then make a buying decision based on value and preference.

Phoenix

I now have a format to use while researching this and it is greatly appreciated.

I, like your namesake, will try to rise from the ashes of confusion and find a good night's sleep.

I wish I could reciprocate with help. Please know instead that this is very kind from a complete stranger on a forum.

All the best,

Sir Snores Alot (atleast my wife says so)

Oh, and we're Boca / Delray. But So. Florida is one giant city anyway.

http://schraderbeds.com/contact/

and these guys are a retailer that carries Restonic ... although phoning the Restonic factory would probably give you others.

http://561beds.com/locations/

Good luck

Phoenix

I'll stop back to post my findings.

Thanks again for all the help. It's much appreciated.