Mattress Forum

I just returned a SnugFleece Deluxe (polyester backing) recently.  I would not have ordered it had I known it had the polyester backing ~~ but the retailer I ordered it from neglected to have that information in the product's description.  I was really shocked when I pulled the item out of its case, I thought the entire thing was poly!  After it got here the retailer reasoned that I may as well try it anyway, since they had the 30-day return policy.  My observations of it are:

The polyester backing is quite thick and very tight.  Frankly, I can't believe anyone would molest wool like this!    In my opinion, it totally negates the entire point of having wool.  It does not have much give, if any.  It didn't seem from looking at it that the poly would breathe, but perhaps a small amount of circulation occurs above the poly layer.  As for the wool, I wasn't overly impressed with its quality, but its probably par for the amount paid ($205 for king).  I didn't care for sleeping on it.  It wasn't ridiculously hot (I keep my bedroom at approx 62 degrees, though), but it definitely stifled things for me to a moderately clammy underside when I woke up on occasion throughout the nights and in the mornings.

I took it off after about a week and it was completely matted where my body typically was on it.  I think this would put the big kabash on any air flow!  I mention this because after the SnugFleece I put an Eileen Fisher wool mattress pad on  [ http://www.garnethill.com/prevlistcatentry-description-name/bedding-home/bedding-basics/eileen-fisher-bedding-essentials/121625?listIndex=1&listId=18003 ], and this pad has not matted after almost two weeks of sleeping on it.  But I'm not sure that I am going to keep this one, either!

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble!!  I really want this "Happy Fleece" pad:  http://www.holylamborganics.com/mattress_tops.html#anchor212  but they have been backordered forever, its very expensive AND their return policy = zero.  Not cool on that part.  I should probably go ahead an order a sample of it.  I guess I'm re-thinking the whole fleece pad idea, I may just go back to my 1" wool topper that is encased in organic cotton.

I don't really want the Elite, I don't see how it will be better than the Original, but they didn't offer me a refund, just an exchange.  I'm thinking if nothing else I guess I could do the exchange and then try to sell the unused Elite pad on ebay or something.  I might be able to get more for it than I could for my used Original.

Angel, honestly I think any and all of the exposed wool type pads will have the same issues.  I looked at the links you posted and they look nice but don't they all LOOK nice..until you sleep on them for a while, then I bet they all mat down. And depending on the backing, don't offer much airflow. My Original has the cotton backing but I still get hot on the latex underneath.  What brand of cotton enclosed wool pad have you now?

I want to try one w/ the wool encased in cotton but I'm sensitive to stitching / quilt patterns AND I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on another mattress pad (usually non returnable). So the search goes on.

For me, it is a subsitute for the nice wool filled cotton mattress tops that Flobeds, sleepez, etc use in their mattress covers.

 Gaiim also has good prices on wool toppers, but I have not tried.  They are made in China, so that bothers me a bit.

Natura also has some wool toppers, which are probably pretty nice.

Walmart 1.5" (really about 1.25") organic wool topper:

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/35alj0m.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

http://www.jreneeonline.com/pd_dormeir_wool_mattress_protect

ors_by_st_geneve.cfm

Well, it's out of stock at walmart.com.  But I found it on ebay new by the same source as walmart gets it from w/ a 30 day return policy. Sandman, does it have any polyester at all, like on the back? (gotta check these things). I'm guessing it doesn't, or you wouldn't be using it.

No website describes the bottom, so you might have to call the company (Southern Enterprises?) if you want to know for sure.

The top does have a soft feel.   Feels nice to lay directly on it, but I don't use it that way of course.  When I pull it does seem to have a little strechiness to it.  It also has the elastic corner straps to hold in place, but you don't necessarily have to use them.

I have the Holy Lamb Organics 1" wool topper.  I don't think they make it any longer, and the ones that I see on their website now are sewn entirely different than mine (and not an improvement, IMHO;  also the cotton wrap looks much stiffer/thicker than mine).  I also have their 2" & 3" topper (for separate beds).  I have to pull them out, I can't remember if my 1" is for my king bed or if I perhaps got that one for my daughter's old twin bed.

I was happy with all of them and had no problems with them after long-term use, although the 3" was too thick for my liking.  I also have one of their wool comforters, and if my 1" topper is not a king size, I intend to use that comforter as my mattress pad assuming its a king.  If you look at their website, you will see that there is not a lot of stitching on their comforters, and the organic cotton is very soft (almost like flannel) and flexible.  I believe they do punch through with little thread ties, though, so that probably won't work for you.  I will let you know when I pull all this stuff out next week if any of it is different than I recall and has no stitching.

You may want to check out their Organic Merino Wool Blanket (or try to find something similar from a retailer that offers returns, unlike Holy Lamb), this thing looks really nice and it only has stitching around the perimeter.  Perhaps two of them layered would make a good, breathable base, if you aren't seeking more cushion.