Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Sep 30, 2011 10:05 AM
Joined: Sep 30, 2011
Points: 11
Hello gals and guys,

I'm shopping for a new mattress and even though I think I read a ton, I decided to consult with the community before making final decision. I always trust actual folks lot more than I trust companies pushing their product.

We currently have spring mattress that was pretty expensive at the time we bought it (it was about 12 years ago I believe and we paid around $800 for it). It was good I suppose and it could still go for a while but I think it's time to make a change. It's become very heavy from all the dust accumlated in it (and who knows what else). I also have an upper back problem and I don't feel it's helping. I don't sleep well at all. I'm not sure if I should ttribute this to the mattress or it's just me getting older or it's something else. 

After doing some research, I decided to go with memory foam mattress. I first looked at TempurPedic of course but then I read reviews about how many chemicals they use and how bad it smells and how it's not really all that comfortable and I sumbled upon latex mattresses, which I didn't know existed before (yeah, I kind of live in a cave I guess). First thing I came across was Essentia. The web site is awesome and they have tons of material to read. They even have a store in NYC where I can visit (I plan to in about a week). But what alarms me a bit is their lack of accreditation and recognition. I also read they make some false claims about quality of their latex. Not sure if it's true or false or can at all be proven, but some of the things I read about them (couldn't find too much info which is also a  bit alarming) has my red flags go up. But I will give them a fair shot nevertheless.

I'm now looking at Zleep-EZ, Flobeds, SavvyRest, Natura in addition to Essentia. I think these are the major manufacturors? I want to be an equal opportunity shopper, so I hope I'm not missing anyone else.

I like rather firmer mattress, but I don't want to sleep on a rock either. My wife prefers a softer one but she doesn't want to sleep in a puddle either. I'm looking at the budget of around $3,000 (give or take couple of hundreds). I think I'm looking for at least 10" thickness which would probably make for 4 layers of latex? I see that most of the companies have 90 days layer replacement policies, but I would like to avoid making a mistake and then having 1 shot to correct it. I sleep mostly on my stomach and my wife sleeps mostly on her side. I'm not sure what layers (as far as firmness is concerned) should be in what order though. I'm also not positive I understand if I need a pillow top. I understand it takes at least couple of weeks to get used to latex especially that we slept on spings all of our lives, but I would really hate to come away being dissapointed with the matterss after shelling out 3 grands. 

Any advice/help you guys can offer is greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,

-Tony.

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #9 Sep 30, 2011 8:02 PM
Joined: Sep 30, 2011
Points: 11
slpngoc wrote:

 

 


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?

 


 

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.
 

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #10 Sep 30, 2011 8:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
For more research on coil springs and box springs, have a look around one of Leggett and Platt's sites ...

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". 

 

This message was modified Sep 30, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #11 Sep 30, 2011 8:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
If you can find a local 'natural mattress store' or place like that, it's one of the better ways to sample latex mattresses.  Serta Vera Wang's have some talalay latex over regular core foams, so can get an idea as well.

Latex is probably one of the springiest foams you will find.  Push on it and the response back is immediate.  It's a very lively type of foam. 

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #12 Sep 30, 2011 9:06 PM
Joined: Sep 30, 2011
Points: 11
slpngoc wrote:

If you can find a local 'natural mattress store' or place like that, it's one of the better ways to sample latex mattresses.  Serta Vera Wang's have some talalay latex over regular core foams, so can get an idea as well.

 

Latex is probably one of the springiest foams you will find.  Push on it and the response back is immediate.  It's a very lively type of foam. 


I will vist Essentia store here in the city and The Clean Bedroom that carries SavvyRest mattresses probably on Columbus day. 

So being the spingiest mattress out there is a good or a bad thing?

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #13 Oct 1, 2011 12:30 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Tony_ wrote:

 

 I will vist Essentia store here in the city and The Clean Bedroom that carries SavvyRest mattresses probably on Columbus day. 

So being the spingiest mattress out there is a good or a bad thing?


Good things - supportive, comfortable, long lasting

not so much - heavy, kinda pricey, DIY work putting all latex mattress together.
 

This message was modified Oct 1, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #14 Oct 1, 2011 12:14 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Tony_ wrote:

 

 

..... You find TempurPedic to be more comfortable than your SleepEZ 10000?

Thanks,

-Tony.

Just wanted to respond to this question again.  Hard to say one is more comfortable than the other really.  They feel different, but both very good.  Tempurpedic is on an adjustable base which is nice.

 - see below - 

This message was modified Oct 4, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #15 Oct 1, 2011 1:06 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
Tony_ wrote:

 


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? 


I really wonder what they meant by this since they are not in the coil mattress business.  Iron itself is very cheap, so I could see the raw materials costs of really light weight spring systems being worth about the same.  Some high end spring systems are made by hand and can take many hours to construct, if you pay your workers a decent wage per hour you have a lot more expensive spring system.  When I research the current costs of steel, TDI (main chemical in polyfoam for north america), SBR or NR I realize that although some materials are more expensive than others, we are talking on a low end 50 cents a pound (bulk steel), to a high end of about $3 per pound (high quality natural rubber).  Even if you have a 100 pound queen mattress which is fairly heavy, the raw materials costs of the insides of a mattress would only vary up to $250.  The only things that could make a mattress truly expensive are high quality textiles and labour intensive builds.  Shipping/delivery costs are also an inherently expensive part of doing business these days,  marketing is also expensive.  

The only really expensive upholstery are things like cashmere, silk, horsehair, camel hair, anywhere between $10-$20 per pound.  Eiderdown is worth a staggering $70 per OUNCE....

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #16 Oct 4, 2011 12:28 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Tony,

Just want to give you a little heads up about Tempurpedic bed vs. my all latex bed.  It's been tough to discern this, but I've got the differences nailed down now.  The feel of each bed is totally different.  The all latex bed allows one to turn quite easily in it because it is so resilient and has an immediate springback nature.  But, that is also its disadavantage.  The center of the bed is a little more broken in than closer to the edge and that's normal because I think all mattresses break in more where you sleep the most.    The problem is when I roll more to the edge of the bed, the latex kinda sort of wants to push me back towards the center.   Yes, latex is very easy to turn on, but I don't get the feeling of being as securely in place as in the Tempurpedic.

The Tempurpedic also breaks in more in the center of the bed, but Tempur or memory foam just conforms from all directions wherever you're at.  So, I can roll right to the edge on the Tempurpedic and feel held in place and relaxed because of it.  I can move to any part of the bed and it will conform.  It's not as easy to move in the bed, but that's part of its strength - it holds a body in place so that one can relax.  Not that it is hard to turn in this Cloud.  So, the TP seems to have a lot going for it - good support, conformance, easy on joints, doesn't sleep hot, seems durable (my Symphony pillow was just like I bought it after 3 years), and for the slight odor, I'll hope it goes away and since it doesn't bother me now, I'll hope it's harmless as they say.

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #17 Oct 4, 2011 11:39 PM
Joined: Sep 30, 2011
Points: 11
slpngoc wrote:

Tony,

 

Just want to give you a little heads up about Tempurpedic bed vs. my all latex bed.  It's been tough to discern this, but I've got the differences nailed down now.  The feel of each bed is totally different.  The all latex bed allows one to turn quite easily in it because it is so resilient and has an immediate springback nature.  But, that is also its disadavantage.  The center of the bed is a little more broken in than closer to the edge and that's normal because I think all mattresses break in more where you sleep the most.    The problem is when I roll more to the edge of the bed, the latex kinda sort of wants to push me back towards the center.   Yes, latex is very easy to turn on, but I don't get the feeling of being as securely in place as in the Tempurpedic.

The Tempurpedic also breaks in more in the center of the bed, but Tempur or memory foam just conforms from all directions wherever you're at.  So, I can roll right to the edge on the Tempurpedic and feel held in place and relaxed because of it.  I can move to any part of the bed and it will conform.  It's not as easy to move in the bed, but that's part of its strength - it holds a body in place so that one can relax.  Not that it is hard to turn in this Cloud.  So, the TP seems to have a lot going for it - good support, conformance, easy on joints, doesn't sleep hot, seems durable (my Symphony pillow was just like I bought it after 3 years), and for the slight odor, I'll hope it goes away and since it doesn't bother me now, I'll hope it's harmless as they say.


Good look. I don't want my mattress to move me. I wonder how long it takes for a latex bed to develop this. We sleep on innerspring now and had it for 12 years. It has a pillow top (I'm not sure why so many people have problem with pillowtops) but the mattress is still flat as a pancake. I'm not sure if it was just a quality mattress, our luck or combination of the 2, but I would not anticipate this kind of a problem with a latex bed. 

I still cannot bring myself to seriously consider TP after everything I've read about what they're made out of. Besides, from what I understand they're not really any cheaper than latex. I will try them out in a store though. I want to feel how they really wrap around you. I'm not a crazy eco guy, but from what I understand buying mattress made out of natutal latex (even if it's not 100% natural) helps the wild forrest and I'd like to help out whenever I can.

Regards,

-Tony.

P.S. I thought memory foam slept hot? Not so according to your testimony. Which ones sleep hot? I think I'm confused now. Hell, it seems like it's easier to buy a house than a mattress.

Re: Newbie Questions About Buying Natural Latex Mattress
Reply #18 Oct 5, 2011 12:09 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Tony_ wrote:

 

 


Good look. I don't want my mattress to move me. I wonder how long it takes for a latex bed to develop this. We sleep on innerspring now and had it for 12 years. It has a pillow top (I'm not sure why so many people have problem with pillowtops) but the mattress is still flat as a pancake. I'm not sure if it was just a quality mattress, our luck or combination of the 2, but I would not anticipate this kind of a problem with a latex bed. 

I still cannot bring myself to seriously consider TP after everything I've read about what they're made out of. Besides, from what I understand they're not really any cheaper than latex. I will try them out in a store though. I want to feel how they really wrap around you. I'm not a crazy eco guy, but from what I understand buying mattress made out of natutal latex (even if it's not 100% natural) helps the wild forrest and I'd like to help out whenever I can.

Regards,

-Tony.

P.S. I thought memory foam slept hot? Not so according to your testimony. Which ones sleep hot? I think I'm confused now. Hell, it seems like it's easier to buy a house than a mattress.


I think memory foam generally sleeps warmer than the typical innerspring mattress.  I was using the same 'ol comforter on a new innerspring in June.  Switched to an iComfort memory foam in July.  Like 2 nights into it, woke up at 4 am, got up,  tooo warm!  Ditched the comforter for a blanket as top layer.  Couple days later bought a nice quilt instead.  Quilts are maybe 1/4" thick.  I like it. 

Was still bit warm on icomfort, but that's because I was sinking in too much.  Got too greedy for an ultra plush mattress.  But the Cloud, not too warm.  Top sheet, quilt, 65 to 75 F room, no problems.  Tempurpedics have the convoluted foam single or dual channels which seem to work.

Caution with the really plush, sink down models of Tempurpedics.  Cloud Luxe is awfully soft.  Really don't know Cloud Supreme would have been too soft and cause neck probs for me.  Won't know.  Regular Cloud - fine.

The TP Contour Select and Signature have the slow reacting, original type Tempurpedic foam.  Had to pass on that.  Rhapsody is pricey, but has the Tempur HD foam.  Have to tune in to feel it, but that stuff conforms great. 

About the all latex.  Too bad what happened on the matching wood slatted foundation.  After first night, was quickly shopping for a thick mattress pad, next day shopping for memory foam topper .... not right.  New latex mattress, then shopping for memory foam topper? which didn't work out.  Mattress felt terrible to me on that slatted wood foundation. 

I didn't like the idea of squishy latex on a box spring, but it was the best thing going.   I tried latex couple nights, then Tempur couple nights. Latex felt off.

Maybe the setup on latex was just wrong.  I tried some Natural Mattress Store all latex mattresses and they felt awfully good in the store. I would have liked to get one, but they were really pricey, $2000 and up, and no return policy, only comfort exchanges.

This message was modified Oct 5, 2011 by slpngoc