Mattress Forum

I don't think you need to go for a mattress that is at least 10" height.  If you have really good materials in it, even 8" can be very effective.

My SleepEZ 10000 has three 2.8" layers of latex, which is 8.4".  The cover doesn't add much height, so overall it's just about 9".  Don't feel like I need another layers of latex in there (190 lbs).  The other thing is, having 4 layers of latex means you just have to deal with more latex as in stacking 4 layers in (8 for Queen/King).  No to spoil things, but there is a little bit of work involved in unpacking latex and massaging it into position.  Pretty much can't just stand a latex mattress on its side either.  They have no stiffness, so they just flop over. 

But, the latex mattresses offer a lot of support with quite a bit of softness at same time.  I didn't like my all latex mattress on wood slat foundation much at all - it had bad pressure on hips and shoulders.  But, it's pretty good on a good box spring for me.

As to which layers would be best for both of you, you'd get the recommendation from, say, Shawn at SleepEZ based on your weights, etc ... Probably wouldn't take long to adjust to sleeping on latex coming from innerspring.  Might need to switch to thinner quilt instead of comfroter, might not.

I found SleepEZ and FoamSweetFoam to be in similar price point, although FoamSF only sells 'all natural' talalay latex (keep in mind only something 3% of talalay latex is '100% natural'.   Mine is blended talalay, and although there it has an odor when you sniff it, I've never smelled an odor in room.

FlorBeds and SavvyRest are in higher price point.  There are other vendors I'm less familiar with.  Only a few latex manufacturers that I know of like Latex Intl, Latexco, couple more, so these mattress makers use similar suppliers.

As for Tempurpedic, I have a 3 week old Cloud, and it still makes a little odor when first enter closed room.  But, it is the most comfortable mattress I've had.  Little warmer sleeping than innerspring, but not hot.  Need much more time to really know it, like how is it getting into in December.  My biggest recommendation with memory foam is don't get one that you sink into too much.  That will mess up your neck / back. Tempurpedic quality does seem very high though.  Of course hope the odors are harmless.

Don't underestimate the value of this flexibility, because otherwise you may end up stuck with something you are not satisfied with.   Most of us have learned that the hard way.

Another thing I wanted to ask but forgot was sleeping hot. Thanks to slpngoc for bringing that up. Essentia claims that their mattresses sleep 80% (if I'm not mistaken) cooler than other organic layex mattresses. I personally absolutely hate it when I'm even a little bit warm (my wife is the opposite), so I often don't even use comforter. What is everyone's experience with that? 

slpngoc , when you said the # of layers double for queen/king size beds, what do you mean? God to know I may not need go for 4 layers and 3 may be enough (I'm just under 160lbs and my wife is about 100). 

So even if a company claims their talalay latex is natural, does it mean that 97% of it is not natural but blended? You find TempurPedic to be more comfortable than your SleepEZ 10000?

I plan to use my existing boxspring foundation for the new mattress. Good idea? Bad idea?

Thanks,

-Tony.

I wonder how they quantify 80% cooler.  If we are talking about temperature the temperature of any mattress will be roughly the same as it is just determined by the ambient temperature of the room and how much heat your body gives off (and your duvet/blankets keeps trapped).  If we are talking about humidity regulation which can affect the perceived temperature of something than animal hair products are going to outperform any foam product by leaps and bounds. Are they talking about how conductive their memory foam is compared to real natural rubber ( natural latex is a poor conductor of heat).  Some beds 'feel' cool to the touch because they are conductive, this of course would go away after a minute or two once both mattresses have adjusted to the heat of your body. 

I would beware any blanket statements made like this one, this is what we call marketing.

Other examples of equally useless bits of information that sounds important:

Serta Claiming iComfort memory foam is 12x more breathable than other memory foams; there are many different varieties of memory foam available all of them presumably have different air flow qualities. 

Essentia has many absolutely ridiculous blanket statements throughout the 'learning centre' on their website:

"FACT: a coil system only costs just $13."

I wonder what spring system only cost's $13, but I do know that some other spring systems can be exhorbitantly expensive...again a blanket statement designed to prey on the weak minded and the gullible.

"Innersprings have no support for back or spinal alignment."

There are many different ways to build a spring system, some support the bodies curves a lot better than others, blanket statement, equally as misleading as the one above.

"Coil/Spring mattresses are the least favorable for allergy sufferers because of their inner spring system. The inner cavity of coil mattresses creates an incubator for dust mites where dust mite feces and dead skin cells accumulate. It isn’t uncommon for mold and mildew to be found within the cavity of a coil/spring mattress due to humidity caused by the transfer of body heat. This is why typically a spring mattress will weigh 10 times its original weight after 10 years."

Absolutely bonkers-ridiculous statement.  Dust mites will not live in the core of a coil mattress they will live in the top of a coil mattress where the upholstery is.  The amount of dust mites that may thrive depends on the type of upholstery used.  But even still, lets say a really light weight queen mattress weighs just 50lbs, they are basically saying that this mattress will somehow weigh 500lbs after 10 years....if there was this much poundage of dust mites and fecal matter...don't you think you would be able to see them?  In truth dustmites and basically all micro organisms love to live in environments that are warm and moist, materials that breathe like wool and cotton do not trap in moisture, spring systems provide amazing airflow, meaning that if the right upholstery is used, innerspring mattresses should harbour less allergens than most mattresses.  Foam's lock in moisture and warmth, providing the perfect breeding ground for allergens.

I just meant that if you got the 4 layer mattress with different firmnesses on his/her sides, could be up to 8 layers of latex to deal with instead of six.  I would think a queen ships in 4 large boxes that you'll want to break down and save for whenever you might have to move.  Not feasible to pick up a large latex mattress and just move it.   Other hand, it's easier to move those boxes upstairs than a whole queen or king mattress. 

My opinion is that the all latex mattress sleeps a little bit warmer than a typical innerspring mattress, but it has not been a problem.  Shelved the comforter for a thin quilt.  The Tempurpedic seems to sleep a little warmer than the all latex, but it has not been a problem even when the room is 80 F going to bed and 70 F in morning.   I've read ideal room temp is about 65 F at night, and it's been above that all September.

There is a lot of types of latex.  I understand 'all natural' latex rubber can only be up to about 97% pure latex rubber.  But, I've also heard have to tap something like 1,000 rubber trees to get enough latex for one twin mattress

Not feasible to process it to make it 100% natural.  Word is only 3% of 'talalay' processed latex is made to be 'all natural'.  Vast majority of it is blended talalay. 

According to Shawn at SleepEZ, blended talalay is available in much more ILD choices whereas all natural talalay is far fewer ILD or firmnesses.  He's very nice so no harm calling him up.  I'm not very familiar with Dunlop latex except that it is a simpler processs and can't be made with uniform feel for soft latex.  I think Dunlop is usually made firmer, whereas talalay can be made very soft and firm. 

sleeplikeabear.com shows a little ILD chart for their toppers that gives some insight.

See my thread for TP Cloud vs. SleepEZ 10000.  Tempurpedic Cloud very comfortable to me.  Very picky due to old shoulder injury / arthro surgery years ago.  it ain't the same and will always hurt a little everyday.  I still don't think the SleepEZ has quite the pressure relief of the Tempurpedic.  Doesn't seem the SleepEZ needs a layer exchange cause seems it's about the best it could be.

I don't know if you're box spring would be good or not. If old, maybe best to replace it.  Check with vendor about foundation also.  On my box spring, the center slat that runs head to toe is fully supported by a center frame rail.  Keeps box from sagging in middle.

You mentioned upper back problems.  You've probably been told sleeping on stomach is generally not so good cause have to turn head to side which brings spine out of natural curve?

I don't like button tuck quilts either.  I like a smooth, even surface.

Good questions. I have no idea how they can back up their claims. I will be sure to ask them these questions face to face in about 10 days. I know my innerspring mattress is darn heavy now though. I can barely lift it. It was never light but it wasn't this heavy when we got it. I'm not sure about 10 times heaver (that does sound like a completely off the wall statement) but I think it now weights twice as much as it was when we got it 12 years ago. I was also wondering about $13/coil system statetement myself. I'm sure there are mattresses that do have coil systems that cost $13 to manufacture (hell, there are still $300 innerspring queen mattresses being sold), there are also some pretty complex coil systems that should cost more than $13 (even made in China). Perhaps they mean the cost of the metal that goes into manufactoring coils is $13? 

To be fair my current mattress can still go for few years easily. I'm just not exactly sure if my sleep problems can be attributed to the mattress or it's me or something else or combination of everything. I just read many times people raving how much better they sleep on latex than innerspring so I guess I decided to try it out.The mattress we have now does have botton tuck quilt but it also came with the pillowtop, so we don't feel the buttons.

65 would be almost fine by me ( prefer 68), but my wife would definitely leave me the next morning. Heck, I cannot bring it down any lower than 72 during cold months. 

I looked at the chart on sleeplikeabear.com and while it's pretty nice and easy to understand, it really means nothing to me right now. I don't know what "super soft" or "extra firm" feel like and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get a good feel for it until I really sleep the whole night.

Yes, you're right...sleeping on my stomach isn't the most prefferable position but it's the way I've slept my entire life...not too easy to change now. My back actually doesn't bother me at all during the night and I'm positive it's not what prompts me to wake up few times/night.
 

www.beddingcomponents.com

They make tons of components for mattress manufacturers and much more.

Two big latex mfrs. are Latex International and Latexco

Carpenter Company is a huge maker of foams and materials including memory foam

http://www.carpenter.com/index.php/us/en/bedding/overview

Tempurpedic says  "since we research, design and manufacture TEMPUR® material, it’s proprietary—you’ll only find it in our products".