Looking for a latex foam mattress - any advice?
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I have an eye on this mattress found on Overstock.com http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/E.C.O.-8-Latex-Full-size-Mattress/3227640/product.html# That is a really decent price for a latex mattress, but it doesn't list the foam density (it only says "Rest peacefully on this high density foam mattress ") so I have no idea how soft or firm it is. Anyone have any thoughts or advice on this particular mattress, or latex mattresses in general? Thanks! |
Re: Looking for a latex foam mattress - any advice?
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If you are interested in researching a good quality, latex mattress, then start with these websites: Flobeds Sleepez Saavyrest sleeplikeabear I would also visit the website of Latex International, the US's major latex foam manufacturer, which is generally acknowledged to make the best quality of Talalay processed latex. I have a 100% latex bed and I like it a lot. It's quite a different feel from a traditional spring mattress. My bed is firm, but with enough give to eliminate pressure points. I also have terrible back issues. Before I bought my bed it was hard to sleep through the pain at night. Now I'm getting a great night's sleep, not *every* night is totally pain free, but most nights are and I'm not in the agony I once was. I don't know what size bed you're thinking of, but a good quality queen latex bed is going to run you in the neighborhood of $2k - $2200. From everything I've read, latex mattress have an exceptionally long lifespan of 15-20 years or more. From this perspective, although the price is high, the long term value is better than a cheaper mattress. There are some less expensive 100% latex alternatives out there, but the quality of the latex is unquestionably inferior. Some latex beds are sold like a traditional mattress, where you choose your firmness level and a sewn up mattress is sold to you. Some latex beds, like mine (from Flobeds) you custom design your firmness, they send you individual latex layers and a mattress cover, and you zip the latex inside the cover. I like this setup because if the firmness isn't right, you can return a layer and get a different firmness (exchange latex layers until the bed suits you). Also, if the mattress cover gets soiled/worn or rips, I can just get another cover. The latex itself I expect to last a few decades. Most of these companies have pretty good return/exchange policies. If you're thinking of getting a latex bed you have a little research to do to answer some basic questions, such as: 1) Do I want Dunlop or Talalay processed latex? (Different manufacturing methods for latex, which produce different feeling latex) 2) What firmness level do I need for my latex bed? There is a very wide range of firmnesses in latex manufacture, and what firmness you'll want will depend on your height, weight, and sleep style (e.g. stomach, side, or back sleeper). As a generalization, I'd say the taller/heavier you are, the firmer you'll want your mattress. All latex has some "give" that allows it to mold to your body shape. 3) Do I want 100% botanically grown latex (100% comes from the sap of the rubber tree) or 100% synthetic latex (chemically identical to 100% natural) or a blended latex? (typically 30% natural and 70% synthetic, said to more durable than 100% natural, but I'm not sure about that). 4) Do I want to go with a company that makes a sealed latex mattress, or do I want to customize individual layers of latex and put them in a zippered mattress cover for a more custom mattress? 5) How thick do I want my mattress? Generally they seem to range from 6" to 10-11". If you're heavier, you definitely will need the support of a thicker mattress (mine is 10"). If you're light, you could maybe get away with an 8" mattress. Once you start reading some websites you'll start to get a feel for what direction you want to go. The challenge is in being able to actually try a latex bed before buying one. Most of the 100% latex beds are sold by online companies, it's difficult to find a 100% latex mattress in a mattress showroom. Some mattress showrooms will have "latex" beds that are a combination lf latex and PU foam (all the major "S" brands have such combined mattresses) but none of them sell a 100% latex mattress. With quite a bit of searching online and in the yellow pages, I was able to find a few mattress stores that sold latex mattresses and go try them (land and sky and Sweda brands). I didn't buy those premade mattresses, I ended up going with Flobeds, where in consultation with the owners, I had custom firmness layers sent to me with a zippered cover. This is very easy to do and gave me the firmness I needed with the option to change. |
Re: Looking for a latex foam mattress - any advice?
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thanks, everyone. anyone try the costco/ 100 % latex fro Sleep Science? Please share your experience, kowledge. phyllis |