oh-so-confused... help for new mattress purchase - foam/latex/traditional?
Jan 22, 2012 11:30 PM
Joined: Jan 22, 2012
Points: 5
Hi all,

I'm a 30-something with occasional lower back pain. I sleep well, alternating between side and back sleeping. I also heavily over-research all purchases over $200 - much to my detriment :)

Currently I have a firm traditional coil S-brand mattress on an Ikea Malm platform bed. I sleep well, although the slats on the Ikea bed suck. Can't stand it. Anyway, both have moved once too often and it's time to retire them.

So, now I am researching a new mattress and was thinking it might be good to try foam / latex to be a bit kinder to my hips when I sleep on the side. Have had a bit more aches there lately. I have been looking at some mattresses and really liked a firm Englander latex mattress I tried at a local store. Of course it was $1500. I'm looking at a 3-5 year time horizon for the bed+mattress since I'll probably be moving at a distance (or upgrading significantly if I commit to the area). Thus I was hoping to get recommendations for something in the $500-$600 range that would be similar to the firm latex I tried. I understand the ridiculous of that question, but I think it's possible since I only want to feel good for a few years - not 10-15. Also, I don't care much whether it's all organic, natural, whatever. As long as it's not toxic to me I'll be fine. I'm just a bit lost in mattress land and hoping to get some pointers for someone on a bit of a budget.

So, I was looking at options like:

  • Wal-mart Spa Sensations
  • Costco foam 
  • Ikea latex
  • ~$600ish standard mattress w/o much padding

What would you recommend? I am missing some good options? Particularly in latex I'm having some trouble finding choices. Also, a problem at this price range is that it seems pretty hard to demo something at a Costco or Wal-mart. Any ideas for equivalents?

What I'd really like is for someone to just help me pull the trigger on a mattress (and maybe even a bed) so I can stop researching and reduce the amount of bed-less time in my new apartment. :)

Oh, for the bed, I was going to have a local guy build a bed. If there's foam not quite sure what to do about the slats, but I read here that a piece of cardboard should do the trick. If for some reason I should go buy the Malm or something else again let me know.

Thanks for your help!

Re: oh-so-confused... help for new mattress purchase - foam/latex/traditional?
Reply #8 Feb 3, 2012 7:57 PM
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
Points: 55
AMY2008 wrote:

 

DaveStro,

Thanks for bringing up a good point. To clarify, I am quoting the figures here - http://sleepez.com/latex-mattress-buyers-guide.htm - which are not the figures for the much cheaper FBM. There is a distinction between "blended" Talaylay and "100% natural Talaylay" (which is still not 100%). But his definition aligns with yours on the "blended Talaylay," although he mentions that blended boasts superior performance.

I like the customization approach because I do not like to go visit stores to test it out when I have no intention to buy. Looking around, a latex bed is $2500-4000 locally. I know I can beat that - especially because I don't care about the cover.

That being said, where do you recommend one should look for a good quality mattress in that price range? I am only considering latex, and not finding much in the way of premade, all-layers-Talaylay, for less than twice what I can FBM it for.

 

Thanks,

 

Amy


The blended Talaly is an excellent product and I love it myself.

I was think good quality innerspring in that price range. You wont get a good quality latex in that range. With an inexpensive cover you can find a good latex bed for around $1100 queen. I am not sure what retailers are in your area, but I knwo with just about every mattress retailer especially now you can get 25% off of their sale price. The sale price is typically their regular price and it will be the same everytime you go in. Take your calculator and subtract 25% from their tag price and tell them you will give them that much and if they dont want to give ti to you let them know your going to offer it to the retailer down the street.  Sales people and mattress compaines are very hungry right now so you have a lot of negotiating power. If they dont take it then take that offer tot he next guy, but I will say 95% of the time they will take that offer. they may have to call their supervisor to accept the deal, but they will accept it. :)

It isnt really a bad idea trying to save money building your own with layers, but it is a lot of work and still a good chunk of money. With no one to turn to if it doesnt work out right. I personally have not tried so I really cant say for sure how it will work out. It would just make me nervous trying it :)

Re: oh-so-confused... help for new mattress purchase - foam/latex/traditional?
Reply #9 Feb 5, 2012 12:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2, 2012
Points: 9
Thanks for the tips, DaveStro! I will keep that in mind if I end up getting another innerspring... and I will pass the info along, as well.

I agree - it is nerve-wracking. That's why I've decided to start with the 2x1" layers and just fold them to get a feeling. Worst case, if they aren't even suitable as a topper for another bed, I am losing $200. I figured it was the minimum-risk approach to latex, at least from where I am based.

 

Best,

 

Amy

 

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