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Hello all, still on my hunt for a good bed. My wife and I were originally looking at a Kingsdown Sleep to Live 800 Series (red/blue), but after reading some reviews we were a little skid dish and decided to look at a latex bed. Now I know there are a lot of on-line companies like Sleepez and FloBeds, but buying a bed untested from an online retailer just is a little too inconvenient as we have to deal with shipping cost if we get the firmness wrong. So we went back to my local Sleepy’s to look at what they have to offer for latex beds. Turns our they just received the new line of Dr. Breus latex beds that same day which are made by IBC. We tried all five models and narrowed it down to two. As this is a brand new line of beds it is hard for me to find on-line detailed specs. I know the salesperson tells me the bed is entirely Talalay latex, but I would like to confirm that from another source. Does anyone have anything they can share on me these beds? Or if there are any other recommendations of other beds we should look at? Thanks all. Dan |
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Phoenix wrote:
Do you think a poly mattress is still going to be significantly better than a coil-based Sterns & Foster Deacon Ridge?
The Stearns and Foster IS a poly mattress (the poly mattresses that are mostly mentioned here are almost all on top of springs) and is exactly what I personally would be trying to avoid. It's only good quality is that it has decent springs which would in no way be enough for me to consider it as a viable option. Phoenix PS: If you meant here latex mattress (rather than poly) ... then the answer is a clear and resounding YES ... whether it is a latex comfort layer on a latex core or latex on a good innerspring core. Even a latex comfort layer on a poly core would be much preferable to me. More than 1" of poly in the comfort layers (like the SF) is for me the most important thing to avoid in any mattress ... and even an inch is questionable given the choices that are out there. Although I am not sure if it is accurate to call the Dr. Breus mattress a poly mattress? What I am thinking is that if I go with an innerspring mattress, then Stearns & Foster is the way to go, and the S&F Deacon Ridge has that SmartLatex layer on top, not sure if it has the poly in it? I've looked at the videos from FloBeds, and while it is tempting to order an all-latex mattress over the internet, and I know the layers can be swapped, I still have a hard time pulling the plug without first checking it out in person. I'd love to go with the LatexBliss, but unless they can get that soft topper inside of the mattress cover, I am not sure I want the firmness of that one. So that leaves the Dr. Breus for its comfort...? :) This message was modified Nov 13, 2010 by rocco50
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They BOTH represent poor value IMO and would BOTH be considered poly mattresses (the SF certainly and the Breus almost certainly). The only difference between them is what is under the poly which is far less of an issue. 3/4" of "smart latex" doesn't qualify a mattress as being latex. I would rather buy a similar mattress for half the cost from a manufacturer or outlet that was honest about what was in it and throw it away in a few years than buy either of them. It would be just as comfortable and supportive in the near term as either of them. You have more alternatives than just a do it yourself latex mattress and IMO you are probably paying too much attention to WHAT to buy before you are clear about WHY to buy it. This is probably the biggest reason that people end up dissatisfied with what they buy (unless they get really lucky) and perhaps the biggest reason for this forum. Having said all that ... It's your money :) Phoenix This message was modified Nov 13, 2010 by Phoenix
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Well I went to Custom Sleep Design and the trip was well worth it, just over an hour drive for me. My wife and I were very impressed on what they had to offer and how they customize the beds. We also like their warranty, especially when it comes to body impressions and sag. After a good hour or so we put together a combination we liked and made the purchase. They give you 90 days to try the bed and if you need a change they will send you out a new top core and your 90 days starts again. The price was also exceptional, about $1000 less then the Pure Latex Bliss model we were looking at with 2 inch top. Rocco50 I know they are approximately 2 hours away from you, but I think it would be really worth the trip, you can make it a day trip... lol. P.S. I found out Latex International where they get all their latex from is practically across the street from their showroom. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. |
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Congratulations on your new mattress! :) I was also impressed with him even though I didn't have the chance to go there in person like you did ... I'm a little jealous (laughing). He was on my "very short" list of outlets to buy from because of his prices, knowledge, and because of how he made and customized his mattress. What he told me about why and how he makes the mattress that way made a lot of sense to me and I'm glad to see that it "worked" for you in real life as well. I would be really interested in the specs of the mattress you ended up buying and some of the reasons you chose that particular combination. Enjoy! Phoenix This message was modified Nov 13, 2010 by Phoenix
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Rocco, You probably already know this but just in case they didn't show you all your options, the Latex Bliss has 8 separate models ... and you can add the 2" or the 3" topper to any of them for a total of 24 variations/options of support/comfort. The different models are here http://www.latexbliss.com/home.html If you just look at just the 4 basic models (not the latex light or the 3 innerspring models) then you will see they all have a 6" core over 1" HR poly and that they differ only in the thickness and softness of the latex over this. From bottom to top it is 1", 3", 4" and 5".These 4 options would give most people enough choices in softness/firmness that they wouldn't even need a topper at all. The toppers if you need them are loose and slightly smaller than the mattress as you can see from the description here http://blissipedia.com/?p=300 The beauty of this line is that with all their options you can get very close to finding out what works for you and why in a single trip (assuming the store carries all or at least most of the models). Then it is simply a matter of either buying it (if you like it and believe it is your best overall value) or "duplicating" it through a mattress with similar specs in the same material (either another mattress line that you try personally in the same or another store or with a do it yourself option). If you really want to experiment you could also try the latex over spring variations with or without a topper. Latex Bliss is what I would call a latex mattress (unlike the other 2 you are considering) and the 1" of poly is on the very bottom and not in the comfort or really even the support layers of the mattress. I believe they put it there more to "protect" and "stabilize" the latex than anything else. I would consider the 2 hour trip though even with the Latex Bliss options. The money you saved if you went that way would probably be well worth it. Phoenix This message was modified Nov 13, 2010 by Phoenix
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Phoenix wrote: Congratulations on your new mattress! :)
I was also impressed with him even though I didn't have the chance to go there in person like you did ... I'm a little jealous (laughing). He was on my "very short" list of outlets to buy from because of his prices, knowledge, and because of how he made and customized his mattress. What he told me about why and how he makes the mattress that way made a lot of sense to me and I'm glad to see that it "worked" for you in real life as well. I would be really interested in the specs of the mattress you ended up buying and some of the reasons you chose that particular combination. Enjoy! Phoenix |
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Did you consider an up and down (shoulder/hip) ILD split as well (as opposed to side to side) or is that what you meant in the last post? Phoenix This message was modified Nov 14, 2010 by Phoenix
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| Has anyone else tried this bed? I have always believed that the most important factor in choosing a mattress is first and foremost the way it FEELS. Spending enough time on it in the showroom is critical. You have to be able to relax enough to really feel it. I would guess the specific construction is important depending on what you are looking for. I have been sleeping on latex for years because it feels great, supportive without pressure. From what I can read about the Dr. Breus Bed, the temperature factor is worth looking at. I am not as concerned with the exact amounts of this and that. Wouldn't it depend on how they are put together, like what order they are in? |
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In the case of latex ... similar construction and materials will feel very similar between different mattresses. This is why if you for example know what a latex bliss model feels like, it would be fairly easy to duplicate that feel with a similar layering and ILD combination. Personal experience is absolutely necessary IMO (as you mentioned) but the differences between different mattresses with the same specs is not so much in the case of latex so personal experience with the specific mattress you end up buying is not as necessary. A "good feeling" mattress in a store may lead to real surprises as well when you have slept on it for a little while (even a few days). Feeling good says little about whether you are getting the support you need (correct spinal alignment) as issues connected to poor alignment may not show up for a few days. Even pressure issues may not show up in the short time people usually spend in the stores. Knowing the why behind feeling good and knowing what to look for and why besides just "feeling good" is important in long term satisfaction in a mattress. If you go in the direction of materials other than latex or natural stuffings, you may also be in for some surprises as other materials are not as consistent in their qualities. Poly will not feel the same as it did in the store for all that long (depending to some degree on the specific kind of poly used) and will break down much more quickly than other materials. Memory foam as well (a different form of poly) will change over time (sometimes very quickly) and in use with different temperatures and conditions much more than other materials. Again, I absolutely agree that personal experience is essential ... but so is knowing the differences between mattress constructions and materials. The people who rely exclusively on how a mattress "feels" in the store are the ones most likely to be taken advantage of in a store environment ... and who often have the most difficulty after their purchase. They can also end up paying a lot of money for lower quality materials and construction that have a "name" attached. The "phase change" temperature regulation that Dr Breus brags about is inherent in the materials themselves. Both Celsion latex and some of the materials in ticking that are very common these days (such as outlast) are widely available outside of Dr Breus mattresses and this type of material is what gives the mattress it's qualities. This would be more important in the case of memory foam than latex although there are some who sleep hot on any foam in which case this could be important even without memory foam. The implication that these qualities are unique to a certain mattress is marketing hype (and as with all marketing hype, an uninformed customer will pay for the hype from their wallet). All in all, I believe that a combination of knowing the qualities of certain materials and constructions as they apply to you and the the practical knowledge that comes from personal experience in a store (assuming you are looking specifically for the abilities of a mattress to provide comfort, pressure relief, and support for your body makeup and sleeping style) are equally necessary for long term success and satisfaction in buying a mattress. Without both ... you would be relying on a lot of luck ... and probably pay way more than you need to. Phoenix. This message was modified Nov 14, 2010 by Phoenix
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Phoenix wrote: Did you consider an up and down (shoulder/hip) ILD split as well (as opposed to side to side) or is that what you meant in the last post?
Phoenix |