Mattress Forum

Here is the announcement on their (IBC's) website http://www.ibcgroup.com/News/pressreleases.html which does say they are using soy based foams which would not be latex. It also looks like they are using Celsion latex from LI (phase change etc) and probably cool max or outlast fabrics. They are listed on the LI site specifically as using LI talalay.

My biggest concern though would be to confirm that it is all latex (improbable). If they are they would be the first of any of the IBC lines, including the Origins, which all use a few inches of poly (usually more than 2") over their latex. The only one that doesn't use poly in the top is their Origins venus memory foam mattress.

I would be very careful and get them to let you see a cutaway to find out if the poly is on the top or bottom.

If I do happen to find any specs I'll post them here.

I know sleepy's has the Latex Bliss which has 1" poly on the very bottom and the rest is latex so that wouldn't represent a problem.

Phoenix

Mike

I am just concerned without seeing all the specs that I would be getting mattress that contains more foam than latex and the as reddog1970 mentioned prone to body impressions.  I am more inclined now to move towards the Pure Latex Bliss.  They specs seem impressive, I did test a couple of them out, however they did not have the comfort top option for me to try.  Any thoughts on this manufacturer?

The Dr. Breus Signature Elite feels very comfortable. I could not find any specs either, other than from the press release which states that it is made from foam with natural soy materials containing Talalay latex, how much latex is unknown. How natural this foam is, is also unknown. I found the following article, which makes me start to think that the foam is really mosty poly:

http://oecotextiles.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/does-soy-based-foam-deliver-on-its-promise/

However, I am hesitant to purchase something custom-made from Flobeds or SleepEZ for example, unless I can physically try them out, as the comfort level may end up unsatisfactory like LatexBliss.

Rocco50, were you able to test the Latex Bliss with either the 2 or 3 inch custom comfort top?  Also which model were you looking at?  That being said, I am with you about buying a bed on-line, although I do purchase 80% of my things on-line, a bed makes me weary of the potential hassle and expense of constant core exchanges to get the comfort level right.  However, thanks to one of the companies Phoenix suggested, Custom Sleep Design which is local to me I decided to check them out and will be heading over there today.  I spoke with the owner Bob and he seemed quite knowledgeable and his beds were quite competitively priced.  If things work out I could end up saving up to $800 over the Latex Bliss.  I will post my findings when I get back.  

I also had several conversations with him and I was impressed with the way he customizes his mattresses to an individual using a type of manual zoning tailored to individual body makeup.

Regarding the Dr Breus ... while I still haven't found the specs, from the descriptions I have read I would be pretty certain that there are significant layers of poly in it. They are available at 1800mattress in case you are seriously looking at it and need a price comparison.

The soy based polyols are the least "green" of all the bio polyols that are available with castor oil being much more environmentally friendly. As the article says ... this is more about greenwashing than anything else ... even though it is a small step in the right direction.

Phoenix

Cazual, I don't 100% remember the models of the LatexBliss I looked at, but I think they were the 12" and the 8". The 12" seemed more sturdier than the 8" if anything but not softer. I did try them with the custom comfort top (that 1 or 2 inch layer placed on top?) and that made the bed soft, but how is that layer assembled in the "finished" mattress product? Would it always be laying separately on top, unfastened to the rest of the layers in the mattress, inside the same mattress cover? In this case it may be too much of a messy bed. If they could somehow incorporate that layer under the cover itself, that would be a whole different story.

Unfortunately Custom Sleep Design is located two hours away so I am not sure I'll be able to make it over there..

I am also guessing there is a lot of poly in the Dr. Breus beds. However it did feel very comfortable. I am getting to the point of being tired of looking at mattresses, and just want to pick one :)   I may check out another local store or two, but it's becoming like a second job. 

Do you think a poly mattress is still going to be significantly better than a coil-based Sterns & Foster Deacon Ridge?

I certainly understand that feeling :)

A couple of suggestions though to make it less tiresome ... and more "accurate".

First, I would use your experience at Sleepy's (and one or two other places) as a testing ground only. If you lay on a mattress that is too firm, then by knowing the stats of what you lay on you would be much closer to knowing what you need. This is why the latex bliss experience is helpful ... not because I would consider buying it. Make the first part of your search about knowing what fits you ... not deciding what to buy.

Second, make a list of several places that look promising and then call them first. Ask them some specific questions such as "do you have (or make) a latex mattress in the range of 9" with less than an inch of poly in the comfort layers?". If their answer is yes, ask them the brands and models to confirm that you would have some choices (more than one). You are lucky here as NYC (and probably Brooklyn too) has quite a few good places within a reasonable distance which would be well worth going to. More than most other places in the US.

If you narrow your search down to two or three places with good latex selection ... you will almost certainly end up knowing the specs of a mattress that is perfect for you. The advantage of places like this too is that they would tend to carry more reasonable options (besides just the majors) and know more about their mattresses (such as specs).

Then ... when you know the specs of what is suitable for you ... you can decide if it is worth buying that mattress (or a similar construction) locally or ordering online with the comfort of knowing that you will be pretty close to your definition of perfect.

As cumbersome as is sometimes is, if you do most of the work on the phone or internet and limit your travels to places that you know ahead of time have a range that would interest you, the whole experience will be a lot less tiring, faster, and you will end up with a lot better mattress.

The most important part of this is to resist the "words" that some places will use to try to get you to go there. If they can't or won't answer your specific questions ... forget about them. A place that isn't open about the specific construction of their mattresses when you call them will likely try to sell you based on hype and they need you in the store to do that. It's not at all likely that you will find real value there.

Phoenix

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.