Mattress Forum

If you order from a place like foam by mail, I believe all you get is a basic terrycloth cover (uh, even the terry cloth cover might be a $20 upgrade).  I wanted a "real" mattress cover.

I ended up getting the mattress from Sleepez, and I think it was a good value at $950 with no shipping (and no tax because it was out of state).  I got the blended Talalay, because I have Blended Talalay in my own bed and some sources believe that it is more durable.  I honestly do not think there is anything wrong with the blended, it may last longer, and it is a little less expensive.  I did ask for, and receive, the organic cover at no extra cost.

However, the twin I ordered was $950, more than you are looking to spend.  I think I would view this in terms of the fact that a quality latex mattress should last your son until he goes off to college.  Compared to other "S" brand mattresses, you may spend a few hundred dollars more initially, but spread over the lifetime of the mattress, you will more than make up for a slightly higher price in the number of years it will last.

Case in hand - I bought my older daughter an "S" brand mattress she loved just a few years ago, maybe 3 years at the most.  It has already had, for at least the last year, a giant crater in the middle of the mattress, due to the cheap PU foam used in its construction.

Sometimes "price" "value" and "thriftiness" are not the same thing!

For the price you are looking for, Foam by Mail is about your only option...imo

Hopefully, I will get my shipment from Foam by Mail tomorrow, and I will let you know how "terrible" it is.

I agree roy, you're asking for the world and don't want to pay for it. I understand that, but I don't think it's practical/possible.

You can get cheaper twin mattresses by building it yourself but it still will cost a pretty penny. The only way to really get the price you want is to buy used (if you can find it) or buy something that is NOT "green". For example you could get a PU foam core at overnightmattress.com and add latex on top of it (get the one without the memory foam on it. more and more I read that memory foam may be toxic.)

Put it in an allergy proof cover and that should solve any problems from dust mites in the foam. I don't think PU foam is that much of an issue with off-gassing.

Otherwise you're just going to have to pay more than you want.

So you may very well be able to do what you want within your budget.  Look at Sleepez and Sleeplikeabear, they sell LI Talalay latex layers (they call them "toppers") and covers separately.

For example, at Sleepez you can look at this page and see that a 6" 100% natural Talalay latex core is $460, a 6" zippered cover is $60, and shipping is $49, for a total of $569!

Then as he gets older and heavier, buy additional toppers and new zippered covers to accomodate the new thickness of the mattress.

I assure you that unless you have a really picky kid down the road that 6" will be adequate for a long time.

See I knew if I asked the right people I could find what I am looking for!  I want quality latex for my son but it was hard stomaching 1K price tags for a two year old!

Ok I really want to order this tomorrow to make sure its here in time for his birthday room makeover.  Last questions and I promise I will leave you guys alone.  Any thoughts on whether I should do dunlop or talalay?  Seems more people on this forum go for the talalay.  Also what firmness do I want?  I know with adults you take into account sleep position and weight.  My kid sleeps every which way and only weighs 23 lbs.  Bless his heart he is such a peanut for his age. But I know he will get much bigger over the years. 

I've read alot of posts about people buying for adults but not toddlers.  Any help is appreciated!  Thank you again!

If you went the Talalay route, I think a 32-ish ILD would give plenty of support and still be soft enough for comfort.

Maybe you should phone Sleepez and ask what they think.

royj, kids need firmer beds to sleep on than us, because their body is still growing. That Dunlop sounds alwful, I probably wouldn't go that firm, unless Shaun has that in a soft. But if you go Talalay, your gonna have to go firmer. I just got a mattress from them, and their soft is like smooshy wet marshmellow. Their medium is still soft, but not so squishy. You may have to go firm in the Talalay, because it is so soft. My little girls like it in Medium talalay over their firm coil mattress. I'm so glad you can get him a nice present. I know how that feels with having 5 kids now. My oldest boy just turned 16 on the 18th. What he wants will break my heart, and that is to drive. He is very short for his age, and doesn't have enough forethought, so I am worried out of my mind for him to get his license and a car. What I wouldn't give to just be picking out a mattress for him,lol.
 

Received mattress that I ordered a little over two weeks ago.  Since they don't usually keep the 6" talalay cores in stock they said it would be a little extra time.  When my order was going to be delayed they called and asked if that was OK or if I needed to cancel my order.  They also called again to say it was shipping.  Great customer service.  So when I got my order today it was beautifully packaged.  I think the box said it weighed 55lbs so I moved it into the bedroom myself.  I had ordered the 6 inch med core with terry cover (to stay in my small budget) but when I opened the box there was the 6" core with organic cotton and wool zipper cover!!!  It didn't look exactly like what they showed on the website so maybe it was a random extra they had around???  Either way I'm thrilled.  They did offer me several cover options when I was ordering but I mentioned the budget I was staying in and there was absolutely no pressure to push me to spend more.  I look forward to ordering from them again as soon as I have the money to upgrade my bed!  Sleepez was a pleasure to work with.

Did I mention my son's new mattress is very very comfortable?!?!