I have appreciated all the information and reviews on this site -- it's a terrific resource to have amidst the swamp of mattress misinformation out there!  

My wife and I are in the market for a new mattress.  We're fed up with innerspring mattresses, and we're now thinking about a latex mattress, based largely on favorable reviews and information provided in this forum. However, having no experience sleeping on a latex mattress, I'd like to check some out at local stores to get an idea of what configurations would work for us. Can anyone recommend latex mattress vendors in the greater Boston area?  We're leaning toward a natural latex product, but don't yet know whether talalay or dunlop (or some combination) will suit us best. It seems like the big chain stores (Sleepy's, etc.) typically have a few all-latex models available, but don't have a great selection, and also don't seem to have legitimate knowledge of the product. Plus, I'd be happy avoiding the big chains anyway, and giving my business to local shops that can provide honest information and a good product.

Also, on a side note...can anyone comment about the long term durability of dunlop vs. talalay?  I've come across directly contradictory statements that claim one type or the other maintains it's resilience and support over a longer time period.  I'm sure durability is largely dependent on the quality of the latex, but perhaps that can be removed from the equation for a fair comparison.  Although I'm relatively tall and skinny (6', 165 lbs), or perhaps because of it, I have the unnerving ability to generate body impressions in a mattress.  I'm hoping a quality latex mattress will withstand my ferocious dead weight longer than 3 months, which is the length of time our most recent $1,000 inner-spring Serta mattress lasted before starting to cave under my hulk-like sleeping pressure. 

Many thanks for any information or advice.

Here are a few options for you. I didn't check to see specifically how close to Boston these all are but they're all at least in MA. A call may give you suggestions or ideas for other outlets from those that are a little far away. You would certainly have lots of testing grounds from these and possibly some good "buying sources" as well.

Phoenix

http://www.goodnightnaturals.com/ Retailer. Has a good assortment of different latex mattresses. Their names are a private label but could be WJ Southard mattresses and/or others.

http://www.gardnermattress.com/products.asp Manufacturer. Has a range of latex options including layering. Good feedback here and elsewhere abou their quality.

http://www.bostonbed.com/products/bbc_mattresses.html#pll Retailer. Factory direct for Therapedic (national manufacturer for Kathy Ireland and others). Has some "mostly latex" and some "some latex" options but probably least valuable for latex testing here.

http://www.flybynight.com/Natural-Mattresses_c_8.html Retailer. Carries OMI (premium latex), Savvy rest (layered zip cover do it yourself latex but fairly expensive) and Berkeley ergonomics (some interesting choices).

http://www.furnature.com/furnature-organic-serenity-mattress.html Retailer. Carries Savvy rest layered do it yourself as above

http://www.jordans.com/Mattresses.aspx Manufacturer/Retailer. Makes their own brand of partial latex options as well as carries Natura (and others) as above

http://www.theorganicmattress.com/mattresses.php Retailer. Carries a wide range of latex including layered do it yourself (possibly Lifekind a sister company to OMI)

http://www.ecinindustries.com/products.htm Manufacturer. They mainly supply institutional and private label to retail outlets. A call would discover if they are supplying to any local outlets near you.

http://www.mysticbedding.com/ Local manufacturer. Mostly innerspring (incl 12.5 gauge). Included for reference as I didn't see any latex options on their site

http://worleybeds.com/ Local manufacturer. Seems to make a wide range of mattressess including latex options but no specific mattresses on their site.

http://www.reverie.com/about.htm National manufacturer of adjustable beds and latex mattresses. I included them as it would be interesting if their latex mattress was available locally and if you had a chance to try it (for our sake). Another thread is talking about what their latex really is as it's likely from China using a different method of producing latex than either Talalay or Dunlop.

Thanks for all the suggestions, Phoenix.  I'll definitely check out some of these vendors.

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to add another company to the list:

 

 

Bonnie Foam Rubber & Products 

273 Western Ave in Allston, MA

(617) 254-3735 (phone)

http://www.bonniefoam.com 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bonnie-foam-rubber-and-products-allston

 

They close around 2 or 3 PM during the week and are only open a few hours on Saturday.

 

They deal with both foam and latex. Everything is custom and built to order. I just bought a nice foam mattress there for a great price. They are very nice and helpful!