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Hi All, First post here! I just discovered this forum and it's nice to see a group of knowledgable people helping each other out with something as difficult as mattress shopping! We've been looking at all types of mattresses and found we don't like Tempurpedic, like the Sleep Doctor - Dr. Breus all latex bed (know anything about this bed - type of latex, will it get body impressions, etc.?), and like the Sealy / Simmons innerspring with latex topper beds. But, I like the idea of an all-latex bed, yet they're pricey, I don't know what type / quality of latex is used in these and whether it will hold up, and I hear horror stories (user reviews) of the mattresses developing cavities / body impressions that lead to people sleeping in a valley... I want to avoid that! Anyway, I'm intrigued with the comments here about things like SleepEZ 10,000 beds where you can customize the latex layers and adjust as needed (but still kind of pricey) as well as the idea of building our own bed as many have done (again, to customize our bed to fit our needs, make sure we're getting good quality latex that will last, and also hopefully save some money). But, I have no idea what I'm doing and would need a lot of help. Can you guide me in this process? We'd like to stay below $2,000, but can go up a bit if necessary. I think I'd like my mattress right in the middle for firmness / softness, and my wife would probably like a bit more soft (I'm 5' 11" and weigh 150). I have some low back pain and not the greatest posture. Little pain with my wife, but she doesn't sleep well.
As an alternative, are there good, reasonably priced talalay latex mattresses we could consider that won't have the cavity issues? Unfortunately, no IKEA, no Original Mattress Factory, and it seems like a lot of the others are online only so we can't try them out. I'd be nervous to try it (and people seem to think they're too firm in user reviews), but there's these E.C.O. Natural Latex mattresses for cheap at Overstock - $750 - but no returns accepted. We have a 14 year old innerspring queen mattress (Serta - medium-firm) that's due to be upgraded and we're getting a king bed this week (no mattress yet!), so anything should be an upgrade. Thanks in advance for any help! Take care, --Kyle This message was modified Sep 20, 2010 by kyley
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Also where ever you buy from I'd get the pieces one at a time. I wouldn't get 1" pieces like I did. but why not try the base by itself for a week. I'm sure that won't work but just try it you never know. Then get a 2 or 3 inch piece for on top of the base and try that for a week or two. Then add another 2 or 3 inch piece and see if that works. My logic is get the least amount necessary for a good nights sleep. I decided I wanted a new bed so I started doing some research and found this site. Read about mattress surgery and it seem like fun and worth a try. Cut my mattress apart and found what appeared to be decent springs. I knew I couldn't sleep on springs so I ordered a 1 inch piece of latex and 1/4 inch of cheap foam so I wouldn't dirty or rip the latex on the springs. tried it out and could easily feel the springs. Then I got another 1 inch. felt the springs a lot less but still not that soft. Got a third of soft IDL latex and was happy until I realized i was sinking more in the middle then the edges. I'm going to purchase another 1 inch piece soon but I'm also going to video myself with a webcam to see my sleep at night. I don't have any back problems I just wake up tired every morning. I want to see if I'm tossing and turning though the night. Once I see that I'll go from there. |
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jasesun23 wrote: I'm also going to video myself with a webcam to see my sleep at night. I don't have any back problems I just wake up tired every morning. I want to see if I'm tossing and turning though the night. On your other message, I wasn't planning on going with *all* FBM (just noting it was tempting). All I was trying to decide was whether I wanted to use FBM as the base (to get twice as much base for the same money). I think I'll go with it all from SleepLikeABear Talatech... I like your idea of getting just a couple layers to start, see how the firmness feels, etc. Since shipping is free, I guess I don't have to order it all at once. Now convincing my wife to try it like that may be another matter altogether! She wants our mattress now! ;) I'll call SleepLikeABear and see what they suggest on the ILD... Take care, --Kyle |
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Hi All, It's decision time! I'll probably order tomorrow. I have two configurations / stores to consider. I'd welcome your thoughts on them both! SleepLikeABear is more customizable, but their poor return policy still requires I pay their shipping to me, and a handling charge for every layer exchange (or return) - and only for 30 days. SleepEZ has 90 day returns with no fees (only $15 shipping each way for the first layer exchange), costs a bit more, and includes a nice cover 1" think wool cover, but there are only 4 ILDs to choose from and only 3" (they won't build with 2" and 1" for the top 3" layer for example). Same Talatech Latex from either store. So, here's what I'd get with SleepLikeABear:
Here's what I'd get with SleepEZ:
What do you think? Which would you get? Oh, I plan to get the St. Dormier woold pad / protector, so I'm not sure how necessary the nicer cover from SleepEZ is? Thanks, --Kyle |
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I would get the upper two layers from SLAB since it will be a little softer for you and your wife as side sleepers. This provides a little more flexibility if you need to change out the top two layers. Just a hunch based on my personal experience that I think your wife will find the top layer of the Sleepez bed to be a little hard ( and you might too). Good luck and let us know how it works out. |
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Thanks Sall. Heh, I was just starting to lean towards going with SleepEZ for that nicer 1" cover and better return policy. Then if I find we need a softer layer on top, I might get another 1" from SleepEZ... Still not sure on that decision yet though. Take care, --Kyle |
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kyley wrote: Thanks Sall. Heh, I was just starting to lean towards going with SleepEZ for that nicer 1" cover and better return policy. Then if I find we need a softer layer on top, I might get another 1" from SleepEZ... Still not sure on that decision yet though. Take care,
--Kyle It is a close call. The main difference in the cost is the cover, which should be nicer from sleepez. You may not need to get the St. Dormier if you go with Sleepez, but it is probably nice to have anyway. You do want a place where you can where you can exchange and return. I think both places have that option. Sleeplikeabear might be a bit slower in shipping things (based on what I have experienced and read). When I returned something to them, I had to get an authization form, and they deducted shipping costs to me and a handling fee (I paid shipping back as well). So, a bit more hassle and possibly a bit more expensive to return/exchange. SLAB probably allows you to fine tune more with option of 1" and 2" on top and more ILDS to choose from. Some people don't totally like the feel of latex and end up putting 1-2" of memory foam on top. SLAB probably gives you a bit more flexibility to do that. |
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Thanks guys! I placed my order yesterday. I'll let you know how it turns out! I went with SleepEZ because of the better cover and what sounds like a better experience after the purchase with any needed exchanges / returns. I ordered S/M/F on each side, but split layers in case we need to exchange just one side (and we can test with different firmness of the layers this way). Although it wasn't as customizable (i.e. splitting the top 3" layer into 2" and 1"), I can still add a 1" topper or so from them later. All their toppers under 3" are Radium Talux though (they claim it's the same thing, but I know Latex International has the better reputation here). Thoughts on the Radium? Take care, --Kyle |
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By the way, since the SleepEZ mattress comes with a 1" cotton / wool top pad, should I get the St. Dormier mattress protector / pad for $200, or something cheaper (any recommendations?)... Sounds like a great pad - just not sure how much it's needed now? Thanks, --Kyle |
| Do you have anything that will fit right now? If so, maybe give that a try first. If not, it is probably best to have something over the new mattress, so probably just go with the St. Dormier. It some extra breathability, and does not affect the feel that much (according to others). |
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KyLey: Would love to hear how things turned out for you in the long haul. thanks. |