Just bought a new Flobeds
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I just purchased a new FloBeds. It is the 100% natural Talalay 4 layer mattresses. The top most layer being a soft egg crate 2" piece of Talalay. I purchased the following configuration. On the left side of the bed I have a median top layer, firm middle layer, and extra firm bottom layer. On the right side the top layer is firm, the second layer is extra firm, and the bottom layer is extra firm. I felt that this should give me an opportunity to switch the layers around and come up with the configuration that will work the best for my 6' 2" 210 pound frame. It has been quite a wrestling match, reading all the different descriptions that various people like, when it comes to firmness layers. You also run into this with some of the websites. No two people seem to consider this the same way. So I'm just going to have to experiment. This is one of the main reasons that I went with FloBeds. They have the most liberal exchange policy coupled with a generous return policy. They definitely get more money than some of the other sites. But when you're purchasing something this expensive from the Internet, and cannot lay on it, feel it, look at it, and even smell it, it's good to have a situation where you can make corrections at a nominal expense. Given the fact that FloBeds has an excellent reputation with the BBB, and Dave and Dewey Turner are excellent people to do business with, it just seemed to make good sense to me to consider the extra cost as an insurance policy. One last point I would like to make. I just realize that I have been misspelling FloBeds name. I had been misspelling it "FlowBeds." Wrong! It is spelled FloBeds.com. I hope I have not misdirected anyone. It will probably take about a week to get this bed in my home, set up, and slept on. When I have had an opportunity to do this I will be sure to post back and let you know what my experiences are, as I know how confusing this kind of a purchase can be. This message was modified Sep 22, 2009 by eagle2
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Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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sandman wrote: Eagle, I am finding that I probably prefer memory foam on the top layer, instead of the convoluted. I am still waiting for the right size convoluted, but when I used the wrong size one I found that using all latex can feel a little hard in highest pressure points (mainly hips when side sleeping). Even with a softer configuration (which also starts detracting from support). So I switched out the top layer for now, and I am using 2" of memory foam over firm/medium vzone (medium hips and shoulders), over firm, over xfirm. The memory foam seems to distribute pressue a little better, (which, I think, is what it is known for). The memory foam might make the bed a little less bouncy feeling as well, which I also prefer. The main downside would be if it runs too hot. I am hoping with the wool cover and temperature balancing mattress pad, that heat will not be a big issue. I need an upgrade to a better piece of memory foam, since mine is several years old and not the best quality. sandman: My experience is quite different from yours, since I have the deluxe model without the zoned layer. One thing I am finding is that you need to spend at least several nights, and preferably at least a week on the same configuration before making any changes. This is of course if the current configuration is anywhere near a comfortable nights sleep for you. You kind of go a little "silly in the head" if you began to change layers, or in your case, configuration too soon. Our bodies, thank God, are quite adaptable. If we do not give ourselves enough time to adapt to your current configuration we will never know whether or not it may have worked for us. Pretty soon we are like a dog chasing its tail, never getting to a final satisfactory conclusion. What started out feeling "To firm" has over time, become almost just right. I sure am glad that FloBeds gives us 90 days to figure it out, with relatively inexpensive exchanges. I have not slept on memory foam. I did lay on a Temprepedic (SP) and it felt okay, but the price was definitely a turnoff for me. Based on what I have read on this forum, and other websites, I do not believe that I would care for memory foam. It is a highly individualized choice however. One other point that I should make that I feel is very important. I had heard that 100% natural botanically grown latex has a tendency to soften up over time. What I am finding is that this statement is true, as long as I have a more clear definition of what "softening" is. The feeling that I have is that the latex becomes what I would call, "more receptive". When I first crawl into bed at night the sheets are rather cool,( I keep my bedroom at around 70 to 72°F) but within a couple of minutes the latex has warmed from my body temperature and it becomes very comfortable. As I just stated, it has a feeling of being more receptive to my body profile. This feeling is particularly pronounced as I am a side sleeper. My bed has never felt "bouncy," Depending on the ILD of the latex used it can feel "softer" but I have never experienced any "bounciness." Even with a soft layer as my top layer and I weigh 210 pounds. If I were to configure my mattress using all extra firm latex that had an ILD of 36, for me it would feel extremely firm. Now possibly over a period of several days or weeks I might adapt to it and I might even like it. But based upon my experience so far the configuration I currently have is working out very well. So far, I am very pleased with my FloBeds. I'm glad I bought it, and I am sleeping well on it. I awaken in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to go. That's the highest accolade I can give for any mattress. This message was modified Oct 19, 2009 by eagle2
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Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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I think that the rubber element of latex gives it what I would call some bounciness. Maybe that is not the best way to describe, but I can give you an example. If you drop something on the latex bed (like I accidently did with a 15 lb. barbell), it will bounce on the bed. If you do that on a pure foam bed, it will land with a thud and sink in. <BR><BR>Innerspring beds have some bounciness as well, due to the springs. Now, I am not complaining, since I like to have some bounciness as opposed to none (like in a pure foam bed). That is one reason I am intested in Latex. A mattress with all foam tends to sink in too much, and you end up in a rut.<BR><BR>As far as the memory foam goes, that is probably a matter of personal taste. I have used a MF topper for many years now, so I guess I am somewhat use to it. It does have some qualities that I like (as a comfort layer), so for me the best overall feel might be latex for base and support and some MF for comfort. Still too early to tell though, since I have not really had a chance to try the right size convoluted layer. This message was modified Oct 19, 2009 by sandman
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Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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Sandman: I tried your bounced test with a 10 pound barbell. You're right. It bounced. It bounced more on the firmer side of the bed and less on the softer side of the bed. I dropped it from a height of about 2 1/2 to 3 feet and it bounced once about 2 inches on the firm side, and about an inch on the softer side. That's about as scientific as I can get. When you described latex as "bouncy" I thought in terms of the human body feeling a bouncy sensation when you crawled into it, are rolled over on it. Which I never feel. |
Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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I have occasionally noticed a sense of bounce/motion if I move a certain way on the bed. More so than on an innerspring or foam bed that I have. I think in a previous post, you referred to a jello feel. That is really what I am talking about, so maybe bounciness is the wrong description. I am sure that on a water bed there would be a big sensation of "motion", although I have never slept on a water bed. In normal sleeping and turning over I don't really notice it at all. |
Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
| To jump on your recent posts of 'bounciness': As i am obsessed with motion transfer--or lack thereof!--i was told by a salesman that latex is 'bouncy' but doesn't transfer motion. I assume that means that the bounciness is localized, and doesn't spread to the rest of the layer. My latex layer is *very* jiggly when by itself (it's the ild 20 from FBM)--when it's off the bed it definitely *seems* like the bounciness travels across the mattress, but i could be wrong. The mattress in general seems pretty stable, but i wonder if there's more motion transfer than is usually said, for latex...Some people claim there's none, some that there is ample motion. Hmm! |
Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
| I can't really answer that at this point. I have only had the latex bed for a few days, and I have only used it alone. I think the motion would be mainly localized, but not totally sure. I think there would be less possiblity of motion detected on a pure foam mattress like Tempurpedic. As I said a few posts ago, I think using memory foam as the top comfort layer may mute the bouncy/jello feeling a bit. |
Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
I think we have to find what works best for us. This message was modified Oct 20, 2009 by eagle2
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Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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I decided, since this was “sheet changing day”, to take off the mattress cover and the convoluted 2 inch top layer of latex and inspect the surface of the two top 3 inch layers. The reason being that it seemed to me the latex had been softening in the hip area. And since it will be five weeks since I first set up the mattress, come this next Monday, I thought it might be a good time to inspect these layers. I could not see, or feel any indentions or softening in the hip area of these two top players. The layer on the right side of my bed is a medium layer, and the layer on my left side of the bed is a firm layer. The only thing that I can figure out is, it is either purely psychological, or, the natural botanical grown latex has the capacity for rearranging its cell structure in such a way that there is softening without any indication either by feeling it with your hand, or visually. The one thought that came to my mind is how good quality natural leather in a pair of gloves, or a pair of shoes, will “break in” to the wearers physical configuration over a period of time and become more comfortable. Possibly this is what is happening. In any event the bed is sleeping quite comfortably. At this point in time, I’m glad I bought it. |
Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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<BR> eagle2 wrote: Another night, another good nights sleep!<img alt="" src="/components/FCKeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/regular_smile.gif"/><BR><BR>Patty and I went ahead last night and changed out the one top layer of soft Talalay on the right side of the bed. I then installed the medium layer.<BR><BR>There is definitely a difference when sleeping on medium rather than soft. The soft layer has an ILD of 22, the medium layer has an ILD of 28. So, if my calculations are correct, that is an increase in firmness of approximately 27%. <BR><BR>Not an insignificant amount, and I could definitely feel it. It is interesting the increase in ILD between the soft layer and the medium layer is considerably more than the other firmnesses. For instance the percent difference between a medium piece at 28 ILD and a firm peace at 32 ILD is only approximately 15%. The difference between firm and extra firm (32 to 36 ILD) is approximately 13% increase in firmness. So the most significant increase in firmness is between the soft layer and the medium layer. <BR><BR>If there are some folks out there that are much better at math than this poor student, please correct my calculations, if need be.<BR><BR>I think I’m going to like this configuration, of course only one night is totally inadequate to draw any concrete conclusions. So to reiterate. The right side of the bed is currently configured like this. Top layer medium, middle layer extra firm, bottom layer extra firm. Left side of the bed, firm/firm/extra firm.<BR><BR>I like having two different firmness levels on either side of the bed. What I have found is that when I first go to bed a softer surface feels better. But as the night wears on I very well may want a firmer feel. This type of configuration allows for that. It all depends on how the body is feeling due to the preceding day. Has it been an exhausting day? Does this exhaustion come from mental strain, or physical strain,or both? The point being, there are so many different intervening variables in our lives that we never know how we are going to actually feel at the end of the day. So it really makes it nice, if you have the room for it, to have a King size bed with a split firmness value for the two different sides.<BR><BR>I think I’m beginning to get the hang of this thing, and am developing a database of experiences in sleeping(if you want to call it that) that will allow me to make choices that will provide for me the best sleeping surface for the future.<BR><br type="_moz"/><BR> <BR>Hello eagle. Thank you for being so detailed and meticulous in your posts. I've been out of the loop for a few weeks, just the rigors of raising a 6 and a half month old baby boy and working full time. I appreciate the information on firmness levels. I'm still in the process of researching a new latex mattress but in the meantime have been sleeping on a firm inner spring mattress. It occurred to me that a latex mattress topper would be a good interim investment for this temporary situation until a find the latex mattress that will suit our needs. The inner spring mattress is a bit too firm for me so I'm trying to figure out the appropriate ILD for a latex topper to go on top of this mattress. Jim made a good point in another thread about toppers, he said to start with a one inch topper and then another layer if you need it, a very wise approach. It's deciding on the ILD that is the challenge. Something is telling me to go with 34 for my situation, we'll see if it works. Thanks again for sharing your experience with all of us.<BR><BR>JayThis message was modified Oct 28, 2009 by enlighten
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Re: Just bought a new Flobeds
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Jay: JimSoCal would be the best person to answer your question about the proper ILD for a topper. I am continuing to struggle with what is the best firmness layers for my FlowBeds. I thought I had about working it out when I discovered that one side of the bed feels a little too firm now. But I have learned from five weeks experience that you cannot make up your mind very quickly in this business. The body has a way of adapting over time. And I would say you need at least three nights sleep, and preferably more like a week. I will enter here what I have put in my diary that I am keeping so that I can recall what I have went through in this process. Well, I took off the left side of the bed the top soft layer, and the middle medium layer. I put back in their place the two firm layers. It may have been a little too much firmness. I'm going to sleep on it for a while and see how it does, or I should say how my body adjusts to it. The right side still has the medium layer, over and extra firm layer, over and extra firm layer. I boxed up the medium layer and the soft layer and they are ready to ship back to FlowBeds. But I'm going to wait a while before I do it because I'm beginning to wonder if I might not need the medium layer for the left side of the bed. If I choose to do that I would have on the left side M/F/XF and on the right side I would have M/XF/XF. I sure am glad that I have 90 days to work this out. This may sound odd, but if I do this, I will wind up with what I had originally. Full circle? As you can see I am not someone who makes up their mind quickly. Good luck Jay with your topper investigation. |