Like many of you, I've come here looking to get the most out of the $1000 - $2000 I'm about to spend on a bed for me and my wife. We currently have a innerspring plush pillow top, and it's not working out for us - both of us are getting back pain while sleeping and then after we wake up. We decided that we want a firmer bed, and I've been looking at Latex beds. I went to a local store, and tried out the three Sealy Spring Free beds they have, and two of them were way too soft while the Weybridge was perfect. It was $1899 after $400 rebate, so it's definately pricey, especially considering I went to the Original Mattress Factory and found an innerspring I liked for $670. Nevertheless, I like the idea of a latex bed, and a lot of people have given them postive reviews. So here's my question - I can't try out any beds that are sold online, so it's hard to judge what firmness they are. Sealy Weybridge is the only bed I've tried out and it works for us, but I am curious about all the other options out there. I am mainly interested in Latex International products only. 1) Do any of you have experience with the Sealy Weybridge and can you comment on how you've liked it, how you're back feels, etc? 2) Do you know if the Sealy is a Latex International product (LI says they manufacture for Sealy, but Sealy says it has its own factory)? 3) Do any of you have any feedback as to how the Sealy Weybridge might compare to a retailer of Latex International Talalay latex, such as foamsource.com or sleepez? Can you offer what you might think a comparable set up would be? 4) Considering the price difference, maybe it's just worth it to buy the Sealy, then I can return it easily if it doesnt work out? Any comments? Any input would be appreciated! I am mostly wondering any Pro's and Con's on the Sealy Weybridge. |
I have a Sealy springfree, one comfort level up from the Weybridge. You can go to this blogsite to read all about Sealy mattresses but esp. the latex: http://blog.pennlive.com/mattress/ It's run by Sealy mattress seller in PN and he does a pretty good job describing all the Sealy products and making recomendations within his brand; he is esp. fond of the Weybridge for most people. I read his blog and this one before I purchased my springfree. It's about 3 years old and I'll tell you what I know. The base latex is not LI but is from their own manufacturing. It is not tallalay and feels closer to dunlop to me. The 3 inch latex on top is softer and may come from LI but I'm not sure. It has a styrofoam edging to keep it from slumping when you sitting on the edge. I know all this because I had to do mattress surgery on mine and remove all the top comfort layers that made it more expensive than the Weybridge. After 18 months they started to dip on both sides where we sleep even though I turned the mattress religiously. I hated to cut it open but after I removed the several layers of cheap PU and the beautiful cover they were attached to the bed was even and flat again with a little wear in the section where our hips go. It was too hard then without those layers so I invested in a 3 inch topper from FBM and a cuddle bed mattress cover and now it is almost perfect. I had back aches before purchasing the mattress and this mattress lessened them but I still have small issues probably not related to the bed. Hope that helps. |
I am searching for a Latex mattress as well. What I am learning is that the Big-3 S's advertise latex mattresses, but when you look at the layers, there is only "some" latex - like 2-3" only, the rest being PU or fiber padding on top. This will lead to faster breakdown. So check out the true composition of the mattress. The dealer doesn't always know. Look at Mfg websites and US-Mattress.com which often has layers described. I'm focusing on Flobeds right now. Still researching. |
Do you remember what the comfort level (and name if you remember) of your Sealy Springfree bed was? The Weybridge (also know as Brasswood Firm at US-Mattress) is 3.5, and the Garden Vine Plush (US Mattress name) is a 5.0. After trying out the Garden Vine Plush at a local store it seems like a good firmness level and it is also cheaper than the Brasswood. According to the specs the Brasswood has an extra layer of latex instead of the cheaper foam, and that's why it's more expensive and firmer too. The Garden Vine Plush has a layer of foam, is softer and cheaper too. Turn the Garden Vine Plush over and you have the same as the Brasswood Firm (at least that's what CC-Mattress is saying on the Blog). So....that's why I am wondering what the comfort level of your bed is - that will tell me what bed on US-Mattress failed for you and will help me with my decision. |
Also the Sealy has a good core of Latex in them, unlike some of the other brands. I've heard good things about it, but would love to hear some more opinions. |
I hope no one thinks me rude or unmannerly regarding this post. As I do not have anything to contribute to the actual original posters query. But I just wanted to express myself about this subject of latex mattresses as I have been deep into this for the last month or so, and you all know what I mean, night and day seven days a week. I started out looking at Stearns and Foster's "natural latex" mattresses. I have found a good salesman and was getting close to "pulling the trigger" when I discovered this website and the many others that flowed from it. From what I have been able to ascertain it is almost impossible to find out what the big three "S" manufactures are putting in their beds. And I'm not talking about all of this green, organic, off gassing, and other, back to nature movement, buzzwords. What I'm talking about is whether there mattresses really contain natural 100 percent organically grown latex, or is it petroleum-based synthetic latex, or a blend of same and what %. And I'm not going to get into the Dunlop Talalay process perspective. What I like about Flowbeds, Savvy Rest, and the other companies that allow you to basically build your own natural 100 percent organic rubber latex mattress, is the fact that you have control over what you are actually buying. The mattress industry, "for ever and a day", has been all about confusion. The very nature of their naming of various mattresses is a good indication of what I'm talking about. I was told by a friend of mine in the business, that out of a couple of dozen different mattresses that Sealy manufactures there are over 500 different names. After doing some research on the web I can believe it. Now why would they do such a thing. Simple. Money. This allows various distributors and resellers to keep you from price shopping their product. Top this off with the fact that you cannot find out what they are actually putting in her mattresses, and for me, it is very "off putting" to say the least. I was told by someone I respect who had worked for a mattress chain that sold the big three, that they were told by one of the top management personnel, "That they could hide a bicycle in one of their mattresses and the average customer would not know the difference." This is the kind of mentality that I am referring to when it comes to all of this equivocation, and naming of different mattresses, different names, for different distributors, that I'm talking about. Arrogance, coupled with greed. Now I'm not saying that the big three, and many other mattress manufacturers, do not make good mattresses. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have slept on their products satisfactorily for decades. It's the old adage, "If you're happy you're happy if you're not you're not." I just hate all the convoluted subterfuge! I will get off my soapbox now, but I would advise everyone who is looking for a new mattress to look into the small companies who allow you to build your own, this way you at least know what you're actually getting. The difference in dollars is more than likely due to the quality that is in the mattress. This message was modified Aug 27, 2009 by eagle2
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Hi George, I don't know anything about Sealy Spring Free but I did go the DIY route fromFBM. I do believe the odds are, it is more likely that one will screw up than be able to get a DIY mattress right the first time. Read "Sleep EZ Latex Vs Therapedic Latex Mattress" and follow ups, written by Steve47. Sounds much like the situation you are in. If you can, jack those folks down on price then compare. I looked at a Rocky Mountian Latex Mattress that I liked, it was priced around $1300 for Queen Mattress and Foundation. I saw here that someone bought that mattress and was very pleased with it. They paid around $780 for the mattress only. That's about what I have in my DIY mattress from FBM. I still am working on trying to get mine where I can sleep on it. "TOO FIRM". Thougth that I wanted a firm mattress, ended up with a Medium core and still "Oh my aching muscles". I feel sure I will make it but I wish I had bought the Rocky Mountian Mattress. I was worried about the cover with the 2" of pu quilted in the top would fail. Looking back, had it failed down the road, I could have cut the mattress and put the 8" of latex in another cover. In my opinion the ready made mattresses have a much better eye appeal and a local purchase should have an easier proccess to resolve a problem, if one arises. Sleepability should be much easier to achieve locally. However, the DIY can and does work, but, plan on a few problems if you go that route. The eye appeal doesn't bother me much, but tell that to the ladies. Yes, you cover it up with the Spread. Just a few thoughts of mine. Good Luck. Bear |
I totally agree with eagle2. It's a crime what we allow the mattress industry to do in terms of subterfuge and simple lack of labeling and disclosure. If it weren't something we buy only every 5-10 years, I think consumers would do something about it like demand some accountability and disclosure. But I think they get away with it out of consumers a) not knowing and b) being too lax about it because they don't deal with it very often. Though, as the manufacturers include more and more layers of cheap non-supportive foam, more and more people are having backaches within one WEEK of buying, so maybe the dam will burst and we'll eventually get some legislation about disclosure and consumers will come to places like this to get some education... Now. to your post: I have no experience with Sealy latex but I had a Sealy spring mattress and it was pure JUNK. Even the springs were junk! So, personally, I would not put too much faith in Sealy. IF, however, you really like it - and who knows? maybe it IS a great mattress! - if I were you, I'd demand that the seller either give me exact specs on what is in it - from the manufacturer - or not buy it. CostCo for example used to list the exact layers of foam in the Sealys so it IS possible, or used to be, anyway. IF you can return the Sealy for a 100% Refund then maybe... but usually you only get an Exchange which means you are stuck buying some mattress from that dealer. Also, with the way cheap foam deteriorates you MAY not notice it until a month or 4 months down the line... Be prepared to do surgery in any case... I am not familiar with the Sealy latex matt. in question but does it have springs? I am now becoming wary of mattresses without springs after doing foam experiments without springs for the past year or so. Are there any latex mattresses out there that also have springs? If you are sure you want to go without springs, then personally I would do one of the following: a) if on a tight budget I would find a vendor of latex and buy a 4" -6" core, then buy some softer ILD layers of latex and/or Sensus memory foam to put on top to adjust it with. Maybe even buy 2x 3" cores or a 4" core + a 2" core of 2 different ILD's - a firm and a medium - that you could switch around for flexibility ala Flobeds. b) if not on too tight of a budget, go with flobeds. You stand to lose very little (just shipping) if you don't like it , and they'll work with you to get it right for you. Or, do what I'm doing: find a cheap mattress with good Bonnell springs and then take it apart, throw out the crappy foam and put in your own layers. It's very VERY easy to do and makes for the best bed imho. My wife's bed is now on the old Sealy springs (mine were shot so I threw them out, but her's are still okay it seems) and she has a 1" layer of HR foam, then 1" of latex and 2" of Sensus memory foam, and she's very happy with it and it feels pretty good to me, too. Thus I ordered my spring mattress yesterday and will see how it goes once I cut it open and begin adding my own foams. (For $229 for the twin mattress, I can't go too far wrong.) By the way I would normally think the above 4" of foam on top of springs is too soft, but she likes it, so if it works, it works... The Sensus is better than most memory foam and since all are quality foams and none are too soft, except maybe the Sensus, it seems to work. It's not like most S brands where they have 4-6" of JUNK foam. This message was modified Aug 27, 2009 by jimsocal
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Mine is older George and it was called the Sealy Meadowcrest. It came from a furniture store and had a slightly nicer cover which is now gone with the 5 various layers of thin PU foam. I don't know what Sealy calls that mattress now but if you go to the Sealy sites, I think you'll be able to figure it out. It was 1-2 down from the top comfort level. After I got it, it felt great for a few months and if it had not lost it's support in the comfort layers, I would have never done surgery (for which I have Jim Social to thank for that idea). I'm hoping to keep it forever as it seems to be good for both support and comfort since I added the 3" FBM soft latex layer and the cuddle bed cover. It's 100% better than the 23 year old hard mattress and box springs we gave away that created pain every morning upon awakening. If I had the money and time, I'd probably like to try to build a bed with springs in the bottom and Tallalay latex on top. But that won't happen for a very long time I hope. Just getting a bed to the comfort and support level I have now took months of research on this site and others and lots of looking for good deals. I wish you the best! |
I can answer one of your questions definitively. Sealy Springfree is about the only manufacturer that does not buy their cores from LI. So far as beds only being "part" latex this depends on the mattress. Ask for something with a Talalay Core and Talalay top. You can buy latex beds with Poly cores but these are generally the "budget" versions. A queen latex bed should run you at least $2000 for the set and more likely closer to $2500. If it doesn't, I'd ask why. There's a lot less margin variance in the industry than people think and if one bed is significantly less than another it's almost always not because it's a "better deal" but because it's made more cheaply. -Alex |
Thanks for all your posts. I've researched the contents of the Sealy SpringFree line by going to USMattress.com and looking at that Latex matress comparison. It is not LI Latex, it's Sealy's own proprietary all synthetic latex. I am not too hung up on it being synthetic, and it does have a lot of latex in it! I am still shopping around, but to me for the price, the Sealy SpringFree Firm, or Plush model is a great value for the money. I am more concerned about durability and long term comfort, especially since the spring only bed that we have now is only 1 year old and it started giving us back pain (it was a pillow top). In any case appreciate all your responses! I am probably going to wait to see more responses. I am trying to decide between the Firm and Plush model now. |