Mattress Forum

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.

Phoenix

I probably should have specified:  The Dr. Breus mattress (calling it the poly mattress) vs. the Stearns & Foster Deacon Ridge.

Although I am not sure if it is accurate to call the Dr. Breus mattress a poly mattress?

What I am thinking is that if I go with an innerspring mattress, then Stearns & Foster is the way to go, and the S&F Deacon Ridge has that SmartLatex layer on top, not sure if it has the poly in it?

I've looked at the videos from FloBeds, and while it is tempting to order an all-latex mattress over the internet, and I know the layers can be swapped, I still have a hard time pulling the plug without first checking it out in person. I'd love to go with the LatexBliss, but unless they can get that soft topper inside of the mattress cover, I am not sure I want the firmness of that one. So that leaves the Dr. Breus for its comfort...? :)

I would rather buy a similar mattress for half the cost from a manufacturer or outlet that was honest about what was in it and throw it away in a few years than buy either of them. It would be just as comfortable and supportive in the near term as either of them. You have more alternatives than just a do it yourself latex mattress and IMO you are probably paying too much attention to WHAT to buy before you are clear about WHY to buy it. This is probably the biggest reason that people end up dissatisfied with what they buy (unless they get really lucky) and perhaps the biggest reason for this forum.

Having said all that ... It's your money :)

Phoenix

Rocco50 I know they are approximately 2 hours away from you, but I think it would be really worth the trip, you can make it a day trip... lol.  P.S. I found out Latex International where they get all their latex from is practically across the street from their showroom.  

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

I was also impressed with him even though I didn't have the chance to go there in person like you did ... I'm a little jealous (laughing). He was on my "very short" list of outlets to buy from because of his prices, knowledge, and because of how he made and customized his mattress. What he told me about why and how he makes the mattress that way made a lot of sense to me and I'm glad to see that it "worked" for you in real life as well.

I would be really interested in the specs of the mattress you ended up buying and some of the reasons you chose that particular combination.

Enjoy!

Phoenix

You probably already know this but just in case they didn't show you all your options, the Latex Bliss has 8 separate models ... and you can add the 2" or the 3" topper to any of them for a total of 24 variations/options of support/comfort. The different models are here http://www.latexbliss.com/home.html

If you just look at just the 4 basic models (not the latex light or the 3 innerspring models) then you will see they all have a 6" core over 1" HR poly and that they differ only in the thickness and softness of the latex over this. From bottom to top it is 1", 3", 4" and 5".These 4 options would give most people enough choices in softness/firmness that they wouldn't even need a topper at all.

The toppers if you need them are loose and slightly smaller than the mattress as you can see from the description here http://blissipedia.com/?p=300

The beauty of this line is that with all their options you can get very close to finding out what works for you and why in a single trip (assuming the store carries all or at least most of the models). Then it is simply a matter of either buying it (if you like it and believe it is your best overall value) or "duplicating" it through a mattress with similar specs in the same material (either another mattress line that you try personally in the same or another store or with a do it yourself option).

If you really want to experiment you could also try the latex over spring variations with or without a topper.

Latex Bliss is what I would call a latex mattress (unlike the other 2 you are considering) and the 1" of poly is on the very bottom and not in the comfort or really even the support layers of the mattress. I believe they put it there more to "protect" and "stabilize" the latex than anything else.

I would consider the 2 hour trip though even with the Latex Bliss options. The money you saved if you went that way would probably be well worth it.

Phoenix

Thanks Phoenix, we decided to go with 40 ild for the 6 inch bottom layer, 28 for the 3 inch middle and 19 for the top 2 inch layer.  I wanted a sold core and the 40 ild offers that, while the 28 middle gave my wife and I the support we are looking for without being too firm.  My wife is a side sleeper while I am what you call a wildcard sleeper (I sleep on my back, side or stomach).  As a result we came up with this combo.  We could have had the 2 inch top split with different ilds, but we both liked the feeling of the 19.  

Phoenix