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Hey everybody! I'm a new user and have been reading tons on this forum trying to learn about latex mattresses. I'm probably going to buy something from mattresses.net, but I'm still trying to determine what I like. I've only found one true all-latex mattress in LA so far, a PureBliss. I liked it, but would like to try some other beds as well and at least make some comparisions. Does anyone know a place in the LA area that stocks all-Latex mattresses? Thanks!!! Mike |
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Thanks. I was looking at this: http://www.flobeds.com/ltxwhat.htm They're just quoting LI, so I suppose you take that for what its worth. There seems to be anectodal evidence both ways and many people seem to not be able to tell the difference. I think my general feeling is it doesn't matter, haha, but I'm not super hard core about it being "all-natural" per se. My understanding of the 40 year old beds it they're all dunlop manufactured, so that also isn't apple to apples, but it is definitely part of why I'm buying a latex bed. Ken at Mattresses.net got back to me. He said they use LI and Radium for latex. From what I can tell Radium is a reputable manufacturer as well. He said he prefers the Radium's overall quality slightly more. I think this jives with what I've seen Phoenix metion in various threads. Ken also told me there would be a $250 upcharge to make the bed out of natural talalay. I suppose I have to figure out if that is important to me or not, haha. Thanks for the dialog. It is always helpful to talk through these things! |
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MikeS wrote: Thanks. I was looking at this: http://www.flobeds.com/ltxwhat.htm
They're just quoting LI, so I suppose you take that for what its worth. There seems to be anectodal evidence both ways and many people seem to not be able to tell the difference. I think my general feeling is it doesn't matter, haha, but I'm not super hard core about it being "all-natural" per se. My understanding of the 40 year old beds it they're all dunlop manufactured, so that also isn't apple to apples, but it is definitely part of why I'm buying a latex bed. Ken at Mattresses.net got back to me. He said they use LI and Radium for latex. From what I can tell Radium is a reputable manufacturer as well. He said he prefers the Radium's overall quality slightly more. I think this jives with what I've seen Phoenix metion in various threads. Ken also told me there would be a $250 upcharge to make the bed out of natural talalay. I suppose I have to figure out if that is important to me or not, haha. Thanks for the dialog. It is always helpful to talk through these things! Regarding the fact that people can't tell the difference, that may be true regarding comfort, but everything I've read states that the natural talalay product from LI is denser and heavier in weight. Not sure if there is any correlation whatsoever, but denser PU foams have been proven to last longer. Regarding the 40 year old beds, I'm more concerned with the materials used to process them rather than the technique. But your point is valid, not an apples to apples comparison. I'm pretty sure mattresses.net is using Radium, since it is a less expensive product, and they're website states a 40/60 blend rather than the 30/70 LI uses. From what I've been reading, the LI product is noticeably better. If it were not the case, then why would anyone use LI's product when the Radium is cheaper? I'm sure the mattresses.net product is fine, and you'll likely be very happy with your purchase. Another main deciding point on the flobeds for me was the promotion they just finished running of 15% off. Not sure if I would've splurged at their full price. |
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megalops wrote:
... I'm pretty sure mattresses.net is using Radium, since it is a less expensive product, and they're website states a 40/60 blend rather than the 30/70 LI uses. From what I've been reading, the LI product is noticeably better. If it were not the case, then why would anyone use LI's product when the Radium is cheaper? ... |
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MikeS wrote: I also found a few comparisons of european talalay vs. LI, but to be fair when I went back and re-read them, they never mentioned that the european foam was from Radium. I may have just assumed that to be the case. I did find Phoenix's posts on this site, and bow to Phoenix's better knowledge, since Phoenix has obviously seen plenty of both.
*********************************************************************************************************** **** Edit ****- I spent some time looking for the link I mentioned, and cannot find it. It bugs me, because I know it mentioned Radium by name and stated that the LI Talalay was more uniform. It mentioned that the Radium Talalay had one side which was slightly firmer than the other, but not nearly as noticeable as dunlop. Also mentioned that LI has less surface imperfections. If anyone here knows the link I'm referring to, please post it. This message was modified Jan 5, 2012 by megalops
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Mike, Did some more homework (over an entire week full time on this so far!) SAMS clubs subs it out to a mattress company (been in business since 1970s) who does have a showroom, however in Colorado. The bed is called the American Sleep Organic Matress #190001 for $1,999 for a CA King. It is a 100% Natural Dunlap Latex with 1" 18ILD, 2" 24ILD, and 6" 28-32 ILD with zones built in. I too wanted Talalay but might be too plush for my husband. My compromise and get a topper later if I need to. It also has organic wool & organic cotton. With SAMS Club it is a full money back return for the first 90 days (or 60 days) with receipt AND no restocking fee or hidden fees. I figured it's worth a try because it won't cost me a penny if I don't like it. All the other companies have a huge return or exchange policy with it being 9%-18%. Still a lot less than anything else I've found that is ready made. Sherry |
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MikeS, Are you going to order the mattress with the zippered cover from mattresses.net? I'd definitely recommend it for numerous reasons. One, the entire encasement can be professionally wetcleaned whenever you want. Two, you can examine the quality of the foam they send you. My guess is that they're going to put the nicer quality pieces of foam in the beds with removable covers. The ones they send in sealed covers likely aren't going to be examined any time soon. I'm considering purchasing a new bed for my son too, and would like to know your impressions of the mattresses.net beds. |
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Yeah, I'll be doing the "adjustable" version with the zipper cover. Being able to clean it is great and being able to replace the top layer if it wears out is cool too. I'm still debating blended vs natural and firmness, but unless something really compelling comes to light I will probably be buying this. One thing I noticed in the link you sent above with the SBR vs NR numbers in it is that those were pure SBR numbers. Most sources claim the synthetic rubber is inferior in some ways on its own, but the blending process combines the strengths of both. No data to back that up other than LI's marketing blurb. Still looking for info about Radium, but I've yet to find a specific negative remark about their foam. Also, in case you didn't notice, the video you posted about the 50 year old mattress is from the Mattresses.net guy. |
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MikeS wrote: One thing I noticed in the link you sent above with the SBR vs NR numbers in it is that those were pure SBR numbers. Most sources claim the synthetic rubber is inferior in some ways on its own, but the blending process combines the strengths of both. No data to back that up other than LI's marketing blurb. Still looking for info about Radium, but I've yet to find a specific negative remark about their foam. Thread I'm referring to: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/this-true-100-natural-talalay-does-not-exist/18681-A-1.html - Definitely worth a read. I also notice that the high-end mattresses use 100% pure talalay. The Pranasleep line at City Mattress uses 100% pure Talalay from LI for 4 of their 5 versions. They only use blended on their lowest end "Om Shanti" which is their entry level Latex mattress. Their "Wahe" version retails for over $8K, and compares closely to the Flobeds posture deluxe which is less than half the price delivered. Anything is possible, including the fact that a 70/30 mix of SBR to NR could be stronger than either compund by themselves, but I wouldn't bank on it. Looking at the physical characteristics of each substance tells me that 100% NR would likely outlast a blend when used for a mattress. Maybe not for a car tire, but probably for a mattress. Until an unbiased scientific test is performed, no one will know for sure. Regarding mattresses.net, I'm not overly comfortable with their website. They don't mention which latex is being used in each of their mattresses. They're quick to tell you they use LI Talalay products, which is true. But as you found out by contacting them, they also use Radium. I'm not insinuating they're being deceptive, but from some of the posts I've been reading, you have to call them and pin them down on what latex is being used in what mattress. From the reviews I've read, they're a well respected company, and would consider purchasing from them myself. As I mentioned before, I may decide to purchase a new bed for my son. I just wish they were a little more forthcoming on their website. |
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I guess you can read it that way if you want. I don't find their marketing misleading and he was very forthcoming when I asked who made it and included the reasons why. If we're going to criticize companies for their marketing I'd cite your claim Latex international is misrepresenting the durability of blended latex as a more disinegnuous move. They straight up say its better, but you suggest they're saying that because of potential profit margin, so you're basically saying they are lying. All marketing is trying to persuade a buyer one way or the other. It is very common for two materials to be blended to improve weakness of both original materials. This is the entire concept behind alloy metal and is endlessly permutated in the plastics industry. Natural latex may very well be superior to blended, and has been shown to be superior to 100% synthetic in one set of tests, but we've yet to find anything indicating the blend is not an equal or superiour product to the natural latex. Budgy's comment that the use of natural latex in higher end products infers higher quality may be accurate, but it is certainly anecdotal and is definitely part of the marketing scheme of the ultra high end, 100% organic, natural products. I'm all for natural and green, but that is a huge marketing angle these days and prices reflect this as much as anything. There are dozens ofr $4k+ "organic" mattresses that are using soy based foam cores rather than latex. They're doing it to make money, not because its better. My gut feeling is a lot of the products are extremely similar from the DIY foambymail stuff up to the super high end. There are some clear differences in the fit and finish of these products (FBM clearly uses whatever they can get their hands on), but a lot of the basic materials are more or less the same. I'm much more leery of the high end marketing machine than I am of small mom and pop manufacturers who build their own websites and answer their own phones. Thats just my take on it and I'm extrapolating somewhat from what I see in other industries, but in my experience you don't always get what you pay for. This message was modified Jan 5, 2012 by MikeS
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I hear ya. Even with the plethora of information on this website, there are still a lot of unknowns when deciding what to buy and who to buy from. I also agree that paying more doesn't actually mean you're getting more. As I mentioned in post #16, I too was torn between the lowest priced option and high-end. Obviously you decided that the lowest price option was too risky, and are willing to pay a premium to reduce risk, even though the lower priced option could turn out to provide just as comfortable a night's sleep. I decided to do the same, albeit at a much higher premium. I did so because I like to splurge on myself every once in a while. 95% of my major purchases are based solely on value, so I fully understand where you're coming from. This one falls into the other 5%. The mattress I purchase for my son will be a twin size mattress, and will likely either come from mattresses.net or from mattresses247 on ebay. Value will be the deciding factor for his, especially since he'll surely want a larger bed when he's old enough to move out on his own. BTW...Regarding your statement that I'm calling LI liars is incorrect. I'm just saying I don't know if I believe them. There's a difference. And I'm not the only one who's questioned mattresses.net marketing: http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/foambymailcom-vs-latex-international/25931-0-1.html |