FBM latex mattress review - updated 11/7
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First of all, thank you all for your help! This forum is invaluable. And Bill, your pictures and review really gave me the courage to make this a DIY project and to go with FBM.<BR><BR>After much debate, I ordered the 6&quot; firm (ILD 33-38) mattress core with a 2&quot; soft (ILD 20) topper from foambymail.com. I also ordered the snugfleece elite mattress pad from dreamsoftbedware (they put great discount codes up on their facebook page).<BR><BR>Last Friday, the mattress and topper arrived. They were wrapped very securely in plastic and were then placed in boxes. The boxes were wet (it was pouring) and not in the best shape, but the packages inside were well wrapped. In fact, so well wrapped that it took us something like 20 minutes to get all of the plastic off! After we unwrapped them, I laid on the firm core by itself and it was definitely very firm. There was just a little give, and it was comfortable for a minute but it would have been much too firm for me to sleep on overnight. The 2&quot; topper changed the feel significantly, and I couldn't wait to sleep on it after it aired out! We aired them out for about 24 hours, though neither really had much of a scent to them and I think it would have been fine to sleep on them the first night.<BR><BR>The next night we put the bed together (it's a bit trickier than I thought to get both in the terry cover, but totally doable). The topper and mattress were not exactly the same sizes (as my pictures will show once I get them posted!). There wasn't a huge difference, and once we got them in the terry cover, the difference was no longer noticeable. <BR><BR>The first night I got the best night of sleep I've had in quite some time. In fact, my daughter woke up for her first night feeding and I felt so rested I assumed it must be 3 or 4 in the morning, but it was only midnight. Over the next few nights I remained happy with the bed, but I felt like I needed it to be a little bit softer. I wondered whether I might need another layer of soft latex, but we were still waiting on the snugfleece and I had high hopes for it.<BR><BR>The snugfleece elite arrived on Wednesday. It added an inch and a half of loft to the bed, but it really squishes down, so it's not like a true inch and a half (if that makes sense). But, this thing is soft! When I layed on it at first I actually thought it might be too soft, but after sleeping on it, I LOVE it. The only way I can describe it is to say it's like sleeping on top of a nice, squishy stuffed animal. Now men, this may not sound great to you, but I'll be honest and say I slept with a stuffed animal well into college, a nice, squishy one, and this is like the full body version of what I remember the stuffed friend to be like. So, all in all, I'm happy! For reference, I'm 5&quot;4&quot; 170lbs, and I sleep on my stomach and side.<BR><BR>My husband's take on the mattress: He's 6'1&quot; 220lbs and is a side sleeper. He thinks the mattress is too firm and he was waking up stiffer than before. I (just now) asked him if he'd be interested in another layer of soft latex and he said maybe, though he thinks the problem may be solved now with the Snugfleece. He surprised me by saying the Snugfleece is &quot;sensual&quot; - which could just be a ploy to seduce but it sounded sincere! It is very nice feeling!<BR><BR>For myself, I am waking up less stiff. I also LOVE that there is so little motion transfer, which really helps me sleep more soundly as my husband is a tosser. <BR><BR>I took pictures of the unpacking/setting up, so I'll work on getting those up, and I'll be back with more updates as we sleep on it (and if we tweak it). All in all, it's a great setup and we paid far less than we thought we'd have to!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>UPDATE 11/7/09<BR>We've been sleeping on the mattress for a few months now, and we're still very happy. I don't know if the wool topper lessens the feeling of the latex, but it does soften the feel of the bed. I f it weren't for the topper, we probably would have purchased some more soft latex because it was just a little too firm before.<BR><BR>We had to wash the wool topper shortly after we put it on, and that was a not so pleasant experience. We followed the manufacturer's directions, but it still shed a TON of wool and it's not as lofty now. Plus, while it airdried our house smelled like wet sheep (sort of wet doggish, but different). My husband could only smell it the first day, but I smelled the wet sheep smell for days. We aired it out for about a week before putting it back on the bed, and it's not quite as cushy as it was before. So, if I had to do it over, I'd buy the one that has to be drycleaned and see if it holds up better than the ones that can be washed (disappointing when it cost so much to begin with, but what can you do?). We're hoping to avoid washing it for a looooong time! <BR><BR>I think I might like another inch or two of soft latex, but I'm not dissatisfied with the current setup, and so I'm not sure I want to tweak it. It's comfy, I sleep well when my 7 month old lets me, and buying new layers could turn into a real life princess and the pea saga. So is it perfect? Naaah. But it's really close. This message was modified Nov 7, 2009 by wifecat
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Re: FBM latex mattress review
Thanks for the excellent, detailed post! Juuuust when I thought I had my mind made up (was about to splurge on the LI latex)...  Given me some things to consider (again)... Looks like my mattress isn't the only thing going to be leaving me tossing and turning! :) But seriously, thank you for providing the feedback/your experience! |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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Great review! Thanks and I hope it continues to go well. Keep us posted as to your refinements if any. |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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Thank you for the review wifecat, your giving me the courage to pull the trigger on an FBM setup. Does anyone have any information on FBM's other 6" mattress core, I think it's medium firmness, less firm than what wifecat bought? Is it not firm enough for a mattress core? I know this is a subjective question but I'm curious to hear if someone has had experience with this mattress core. Look forward to the pictures wifecat. |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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<BR> enlighten wrote: Thank you for the review wifecat, your giving me the courage to pull the trigger on an FBM setup.<BR>Does anyone have any information on FBM's other 6&quot; mattress core, I think it's medium firmness,<BR>less firm than what wifecat bought? Is it not firm enough for a mattress core? I know this is a subjective question<BR>but I'm curious to hear if someone has had experience with this mattress core.<BR><BR>Look forward to the pictures wifecat.<BR> <BR><BR>Enlighten, I know BillB bought a 6" medium core from there and he and his wife seem happy with it. You can read about his setup here: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foambymail-8-latex-mattress-actual-setup-pictures/4091-0-1.html <BR><BR>We went with the 6" firm because we're bigger people than Bill and his wife, though now that we have it, I really think maybe we should have gotten the medium (esp. since my husband is a side sleeper). Someone said that FBM employees say there really isn't that much of a difference between the medium and the firm, so you'd probably be fine with either. I'm sure BillB would talk to you about his mattress, as well!This message was modified Sep 19, 2009 by wifecat
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Re: FBM latex mattress review
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wifecat wrote: Enlighten, I know BillB bought a 6" medium core from there and he and his wife seem happy with it. You can read about his setup here: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foambymail-8-latex-mattress-actual-setup-pictures/4091-0-1.html <BR><BR>We went with the 6" firm because we're bigger people than Bill and his wife, though now that we have it, I really think maybe we should have gotten the medium (esp. since my husband is a side sleeper). Someone said that FMB employees say there really isn't that much of a difference between the medium and the firm, so you'd probably be fine with either. I'm sure BillB would talk to you about his mattress, as well! Thank you wifecat. I read Bill's post on his setup, great stuff. I'm big myself, 6 foot 3 and 220 pounds, so conventional wisdom would say to go with the firmer core but I'm concerned that it will be too firm. Ahh, decisions, decisions. |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
| Very helpful feedback wifecat. Please be sure to provide periodic updates as it seems many people change their opinions over the first few weeks. Maybe because their expectations change after they forget how bad their old setup was. |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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Wifecat, the wool topper feels soft, not firm? I'd heard certain ones firmed up mattresses a bit. I'd like a soft one, however! Sounds rather divine, the way you describe it! thanks, e-cat |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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electracat wrote: Wifecat,<BR><BR> the wool topper feels soft, not firm? I'd heard certain ones firmed up mattresses a bit. I'd like a soft one, however! Sounds rather divine, the way you describe it!<BR><BR>thanks,<BR>e-cat It's definitely soft, e-cat. Cuddly soft. I like it a lot! |
Re: FBM latex mattress review
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wifecat wrote: <BR> <BR><BR>Enlighten, I know BillB bought a 6&quot; medium core from there and he and his wife seem happy with it. You can read about his setup here: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foambymail-8-latex-mattress-actual-setup-pictures/4091-0-1.html <BR><BR>We went with the 6&quot; firm because we're bigger people than Bill and his wife, though now that we have it, I really think maybe we should have gotten the medium (esp. since my husband is a side sleeper). Someone said that FBM employees say there really isn't that much of a difference between the medium and the firm, so you'd probably be fine with either. I'm sure BillB would talk to you about his mattress, as well! Amy - I am happy that you are satisfied with your mattress. I am curious to see how the wool topper does for you long term. I would be afraid that it would take some of the 'feel' out of the latex. I have just the Cuddle Bed pad on mine and even though it's only an inch thick, it does take some of the feeling out of the latex. About the medium to firm question with the latex core.... I think that not only does size matter (body size) but maybe more important is whether you sleep on your side or not. If you're a side sleeper, most of the medium latex is going to feel just a bit too firm. Conversly, if you're a stomach sleeper, beware of too much softness and especially too much layering in the comfort layer. It might feel good at first, but it will not in the long run. I have not participated here too much lately as the whole mattress issue has receded from my brain (probably because my mattress is working).... And also I was getting very tired of seeing all the waterbed posts and also all the posts from other mattress industry people. It really didn't seem like that's what this forum should be about to me. I see very little of this now, so it seems like it might be safe to come back into the kitchen... My advise to anyone new on here. Read! Don't run out and buy something right away. You've lived with your problem for a while, you can live with it a while longer while you learn. It takes some time to absorb all of this and it all makes good common sense but it takes time to sort out all of the nonsense and to be able to get to the point of being able to read something about mattresses and know for sure whether it has merit or it's BS. Bill |
Re: FBM latex mattress review - updated 11/7
| I added an update to the first post. Hope the info is helpful to someone! |