What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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I would like to know what some of the pros & cons are of sleeping on a latex mattress, especially in the kit form from a company like Flobeds (I have samples of the different latex cores from Flobeds). I understand that issues with comfort of latex depend on ILDs, a person's body type & weight, personal preferences, etc. The only type of mattress I've slept has been an innerspring (with no latex). It's hard to tell by laying on a latex mattress in a store what the mattress will feel like to actually sleep on. What is the difference in feel between sleeping on an all latex mattress and on an innerspring mattress? Does a latex mattress provide enough support for the lower back and hips, or is a latex mattress not a good choice for providing good back support? Does a latex mattress provide a good seating surface if you want to sit up in bed to read, or does your butt sink down too much for it to be comfortable enough to sit up in bed? With kits such as Flobeds that don't have a firmer edge support around the mattress to support sitting on, do you just sink in when you sit on the side of the bed? Can a latex mattress feel like you are sleeping on a piece of "dead" foam, "dead" meaning no cushiness, no springiness to the foam? Thank you very much for help and opinions. I've been reading this site (and old one) for over a year now, and I'm still learning. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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I noticed that he said they use 4 layers of talalay over the coils. I'm wondering if this model is a bit higher than mine. I can't imagine the latex layers being thinner. Mine are 1" and I think that seems fairly standard for them to use this size for layering. I can get three 1" inch talalay layers in snugly. Or as I have now, a 3/4" HR PU layer as the base and two 1" talalay layers. I wouldn't mind if I could get 4 layers, though. It would give me more to play with. On the other hand, I might not need all that foam if I can achieve the comfort I want with just 3 layers and the coils. I agree that this concept is ideal. The "plugged pocketed coils" sounds like a neat idea, too. He doesn't advertise the LuraFlex coils I exchanged my pocketed coils for, I notice. Probably most people do fine with the pocketed. I'm just the Princess and the Pea. BR><BR><BR><BR> mccldwll wrote: Yep. Don't know about their prices, pocketed coil system vs. more basic coil style, and how much high density PU is used to encase the coils and to &quot;quilt&quot; the cover, but otherwise they sure seem to be doing things right. Clearly, that's how all traditional mattresses (above the most basic &quot;el cheapo&quot; level) should be made/offered--accessible guts and upgraded comfort layers. Just like Burger King, you could &quot;have it your way.&quot; Even if you can afford the highest priced custom made mattress on the market, this really is how it should be constructed and modifiable. Anyone needing a good mattress who lives within a reasonable distance should at least consider them. IIRC, site says use 4 layers of decreasing ILD talalay over the coils. BB--what is their standard layup as far as thickness and ILD for these layers?<BR><BR>Small mattress retailers should pay attention. Stop trying to compete with Costco, department store sales, and the various &quot;Mattress Whatevers.&quot; Low inventory. Further, while I am completely unfamiliar with how the pocketed coil systems are constructed/assembled, it appears to be the type of system which could be modified so that the individual pocketed coils could simply be plugged onto a grid (think interlocking rubber kid's mat bred with large dimple LEGO base--end product 60&quot; x 80&quot; or 72&quot; x 80&quot;). Coils available in 3 or 4 firmnesses for zoning. End result--a coil mattress with latex comfort materials, all parts interchangeable/replaceable, shippable in standard size/weight boxes, light color coded parts assembled by consumer in place with instructions, and a bottle of wine. And it's &quot;green.&quot; Someone please try making one of these. I'm too tied up with latex at the moment.<BR> <BR>This message was modified Feb 7, 2008 by BeddyBye
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Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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BeddyBye wrote: You mean like mine: http://www.baybed.com/ I wonder if there are other local stores around who are doing the same thing. I'll never buy another "readymade" mattress again, especially if it starts with an "S". BeddyBye, I just checked out the www.baybed.com web site. I wish my local stores sold mattresses like the ones on baybed, with pocketed coils or just the regular coils with latex for the comfort layers. With a baybed mattress, do the pocketed coils give your back enough support? I had a Beautyrest with the individually pocketed coils, and my back suffered, but the mattress had soft PU foams for comfort layers. From what I see on baybed's site, it looks like their pocketed coil system is far superior to that of Beautyrest. Anyway, too bad I don't live anywhere near baybed's store or I'd check them out. I have been to several local mattress stores and tried out the latex beds, but all the latex beds I've seen and layed on are made by Sealy and Stearns & Foster, so they use PU foam on top of the latex core. That PU foam layer doesn't give me a 100% accurate idea of what a latex mattress with a softer layer of latex for the comfort layer feels like, but I guess the S-brand latex mattresses give me some clue as to whether or not I'd like to sleep on all latex. The stores didn't have all the S-brand latex models, but the ones I tried were either way too hard or a bit too soft because of all the soft PU foam layers...I didn't find the perfect mattress. Well, if / when I need a new mattress, I'm leaning more towards a mattress combining traditional springs (that's what I'm used to sleeping on) with layer(s) of latex foam and maybe even a layer of high density memory foam combined with the layer(s) of latex. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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Probably for most people the pocketed coils were fine for support. Dan, my mattress guy just thought that maybe they were too conforming of a coil for me. So he felt the LuraFlex might be a better match. I think he was right. Although, I'll never know for sure. It could have just been my initial response to latex. Or a new mattress, period. Either way, I do feel like the LuraFlex coil is a bit firmer, hecnce more supportive. You sound like me leaning towards a coil/latex combination. I really do wish you could easily pop into Bay Bed and Mattress to check out the type of set-up I have. I think you would be pleased. centralpark wrote: BeddyBye, I just checked out the www.baybed.com web site. I wish my local stores sold mattresses like the ones on baybed, with pocketed coils or just the regular coils with latex for the comfort layers. With a baybed mattress, do the pocketed coils give your back enough support? I had a Beautyrest with the individually pocketed coils, and my back suffered, but the mattress had soft PU foams for comfort layers. From what I see on baybed's site, it looks like their pocketed coil system is far superior to that of Beautyrest. Anyway, too bad I don't live anywhere near baybed's store or I'd check them out.</p><p>I have been to several local mattress stores and tried out the latex beds, but all the latex beds I've seen and layed on are made by Sealy and Stearns & Foster, so they use PU foam on top of the latex core. That PU foam layer doesn't give me a 100% accurate idea of what a latex mattress with a softer layer of latex for the comfort layer feels like, but I guess the S-brand latex mattresses give me some clue as to whether or not I'd like to sleep on all latex. The stores didn't have all the S-brand latex models, but the ones I tried were either way too hard or a bit too soft because of all the soft PU foam layers...I didn't find the perfect mattress. </p><p>Well, if / when I need a new mattress, I'm leaning more towards a mattress combining traditional springs (that's what I'm used to sleeping on) with layer(s) of latex foam and maybe even a layer of high density memory foam combined with the layer(s) of latex. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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BeddyBye wrote: I agree that this concept is ideal. The "plugged pocketed coils" sounds like a neat idea, too. He doesn't advertise the LuraFlex coils I exchanged my pocketed coils for, I notice. Probably most people do fine with the pocketed. I'm just the Princess and the Pea. Actually pocketed coils provide a conforming support similar to latex. If you have certain kinds of lumbar conditions or if Talalay gives you a backache, you probably need a more rigid support like the luraflex or the standard bonnel coils. So it's not just you. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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mattressmom wrote: The local Verlo mattress guy told me that they don't recommend putting latex or memory foam on springs or a box spring. They sell rigid foundations specifically for foam mattresses. I didn't get into the reasons why - but I have my doubts about mixing and matching springs and latex. Just my 2 cents though. Sometimes stores don't recommend something because they don't offer it in their product line and want to discourage you from going somewhere else. Many manufacturers are now combining springs with quality foams like latex. What would really be nice is if they would combine them in a modular concept so you could swap layers out and fine tune the sleep surface. BeddyBye, I'm still jealous!This message was modified Feb 8, 2008 by cloud9
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Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
| If you do some objective research, you'll probably find that while the pocketed coils are more conforming, they may not be the best for heavier sleepers or those who need firm support. They also will breakdown sooner than others. That's why an interchangeable pocket coil system would be so good. The adjust-a-coil bed linked above sounds interesting, but I'll bet the pocketed coil components are very low quality. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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We have an Englander pocketed coil mattress. It is from their TensionEase line. We really like the support and also the lack of motion transfer. The coil gauge is heavier than the Simmons Beatyrest so ought to last longer. Also we are not heavy people (me: 125 lbs; him: 150 lbs). I have a feeling Centralpark, that it was the low quality foam on top that gave you problems, not the coils.... We got a firm-ish model and are looking for an inch or two of latex to get the perfect feel. This message was modified Feb 8, 2008 by kimmcgov
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Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
| Better quality/heavier gauge coils certainly will help, but independent coils still will fail/weaken sooner since not sharing load nearly as much as interconnected system. That may even hold true for the foam on a pocket coil system since might have to stretch more, as well as compress (just a WAG). I'm not knocking pocket coils since there are advantages, especially for side sleepers, and those w/ restless bed mates since less motion transfer. Just pointing out a known trade off. |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
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Fascinating discussion. I wish I had read more of the negative posts about latex here before getting my latex mattress. I am about at my wits end trying to get this thing to work for me. Its either too soft so I bottom out in the thing, or its too firm where I feel beat up in the morning or it feels like I am sleeping on a rubber ball. I think I would have been better to get a decent spring mattress (indiv coils etc) and just plopped a memory foam topper on it... |
Re: What are the pros & cons of sleeping on a latex mattress? What does a latex mattress feel like?
| Again, Novahelp, I really think your problem is that you need a soft topper since you like softness but you need firm support underneath. I would find a soft less thick topper (to me 3" of softness of a latex core is too soft to sleep on) over firmer support. Imagine sleeping on a rock hard mattress with no cushion or sleeping on a matrress that is way too soft without firm support underneath. Both these combinations that are uncomfortable can happen with a regular mattress also. I actually love the zipped up cover from FloBeds and feel it has a little give and is comfortable for me. But I could not sleep with no topper at all or I will be moving my side to side like I used to do on my Extra Firm Posteurpedic Bed that has no cushion on it.. |