What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Jun 1, 2010 8:08 PM
Joined: Jun 1, 2010
Points: 5
see in person.  In other words, a bed I might find at Macy's or Mattress Firm, etc.  I am interested in a plush, cushion firm sort of comfort level and something under $4,000.  I see the S Co's all make a latex product but wasn't sure about their specs and whether they use the LI product I see mentioned on here.
This message was modified Jun 1, 2010 by shaggy
Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #1 Jun 1, 2010 8:20 PM
Joined: Mar 14, 2010
Points: 185
It probably depends on where you live. Larger or more fashionable cities may have high end sellers of similar products with showrooms. A member here recently visted SleepEZ's store in Arizona and was impressed. 

I had a heck of a time finding anything where I live. I'm a ferry ride and a drive to the Seattle area, and even then I wouldn't know where to go.

There is a mall and many furniture stores near me, and they all said they carried latex, but I was not very impressed with their selections or with what the salespeople told me. The mattresses had maybe an inch or two of actual latex, one Macy's salesman told me how nasty natural latex is and that the only good latex was the kind in their several thousand dollar S brand bed.

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #2 Jun 1, 2010 8:49 PM
Joined: Jun 1, 2010
Points: 5
I'm in Birmingham, so no high end stores here.  Macy's will have the biggest selection, plus a couple of mattress only places and some furniture stores.  I am impressed by what I read about a latex mattress and have tried them and like the feel.  I'm switching from innerspring to either Tempur-pedic or a latex.  I think I prefer the latex over the Rhapsody bed which would be my pick of Tempur bedding.  Now my wife has had a few latex allergies in the past (the little rubber bands for braces had to be switched to silicone, etc.) but the LI website indicated the foam was washed 5 times and there really wouldn't be any issues.

I'm interested in whether any of the S Co's make a comparable product, or reasonable close to the Flobed.  I would like to check it out.  There seem to be a lot of self-educated mattress folks on here and hopefully someone will have this info handy.

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #3 Jun 1, 2010 9:32 PM
Joined: May 26, 2010
Points: 4
I just posted about Sleepez and how impressed I was by their totally honest approach. I would give them a try as they just discounted their beds.

 

Sage

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #4 Jun 2, 2010 7:19 AM
Joined: Jun 1, 2010
Points: 5
thanks, I did check their website

But still looking to see if there is a comparable quality latex bed that I can view locally by Simmons/Serta/Sealy, etc.  Anyone know?

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #5 Jun 2, 2010 12:13 PM
Joined: Mar 14, 2010
Points: 185
shaggy wrote:

But still looking to see if there is a comparable quality latex bed that I can view locally by Simmons/Serta/Sealy, etc.  Anyone know?


I don't think you're going to find anything comparable to the layer style latex beds in a department store or run of the mill bed store. They will try to tell you they are 100% latex, but they are not. In my experience they were often an inch or three of 100% "blended" latex sandwiched between polyfoam.

Do you have any discount mattress shops nearby? I visited a couple that had larger stocks of Englander beds, they have varying amounts of latex. One had a brand called ReNu. It had a few layers of latex, but I'm not sure where those layers were. One shop even promised, as I was leaving, he'd be getting a latex layer system, but I don't know him well enough to know if he was telling me the truth.

Maybe you can find a place that sells Natura beds? One store here had exactly two models, but neither had veryy much latex in them.

Oh, forgot to mention Ikea. They sell latex mattresses, but they are generally not quite the same as the SleepEZ/FloBeds changeable layer ones. They get mixed reviews for longevity. BUT, you go lay on them if you're anywhere near an Ikea.

This message was modified Jun 2, 2010 by cynicaljones
Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #6 Jun 2, 2010 12:53 PM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Not only is it the case that the major "S" brand mattresses are not 100% latex, I believe that the latex they use is 100% synthetic, not 100% natural or blended latex like LI manufactures.

When I was shopping for my latex mattress, I REALLY had to hunt around for a mattress I could try.  I found two local (within an hour drive) companies that manufacture their own latex beds, and I found two national brands I could try - Land and Sky, which makes dunlop latex beds, and I think it was called Sweda, made by Lady Americana.  You might try those.  They are not exactly the same feel as a 100% Talalay latex bed, but closer than what you will get from a major S brand.

Also, Vera Wang makes several latex mattresses.  Some of them are part latex, but I've heard that the very top latex mattress in the line is 100% latex.

Good luck!  At least you will have the assurance of knowing that if you purchase from Flobeds or Sleepez you can have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and be able to return the mattress for a full refund if you don't like it.

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #7 Jun 2, 2010 10:35 PM
Joined: Jun 1, 2010
Points: 5
thanks.  I did visit a local discounter who had a Serta bed that said it was Talalay latex.  The model was Caledonia.  This is from the stores website.

Caledonia Plush - Latex
8" Tallalay Latex Core, Additional Tallalay Latex in Surface, Bamboo & Cotton Blend Cover, 30 YEAR WARRANTY.
The king size was $3,000, on sale for $2,000.  Would be a bargain if it was all natural with no poly, etc.

Of course, no other store carries the "Caledonia" model.  I find on Serta's website they have this bed which they say is Talalay.  Not sure of the details.

http://www.serta.com/#/best-latex-foam-mattress-Serta-Pure-Response-mattresses-hypoallergenic

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #8 Jun 3, 2010 3:15 PM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Hmm.  Maybe.  If you're looking at an S mattress use this latex comparison chart as a starting point. Of course mattresses have many different names sold by different vendors, but if you look closely, you may be able to identify the mattress you tried on this chart.

Before you consider purchasing any S brand mattress, carefully look at the contents tag on the mattress, as it has to list all of the components of the mattress.  This is how you're going to find out if there's any PU foam in the mattress.

http://site.namebrandbeds.com/latex-mattress-comparison-chart.html

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #9 Jun 3, 2010 7:00 PM
Joined: Jun 1, 2010
Points: 5
I will check the link out. 

I'm not really looking a S-bed so much as I want to have something to evaluate how my wife and I might like good quality latex bed.

Re: What is the closest latex bed to a Flobed product, something I could
Reply #10 Jun 19, 2010 9:15 PM
Joined: Jun 19, 2010
Points: 17
Just found this thread and have recently gone through the shopping experience.

Purchased a Sweda Renu mattress mentioned in this thread a couple times.  Have had it a month and so far we feel we made a good decision.  These mattresses come in 3 firmness levels.  Each is approx 1/2 Talilay process laytex with foundation of polyurethane.  Only one company in the USA that produces Talilay laytex.  The model we purchased has 3 layers of different density laytex.  No padding between you and the laytex.  Comes with a nice zip-on cover with top being made of Bambo fabric, very soft.  We bought the Renu 5 model, their softest but no way overly soft, good support.  We're seniors and this fits our needs very well.

I would have no hesitation recommending to anyone looking at a laytex mattress to give this brand, model, consideration.  Oh, the Sweda brand is one of the family of brands by Lady Americana.

While shopping took a look at an Englander "laytex" mattress.  Saw a cross-section of this mattress. Was over a foot thick and only saw 1-2 inches of laytex sandwiched  in the middle.  Rest of the mattress was of a cheaper foam and in the cut-away the foam looked to be laid in a fairly sloppy way.  Was on "sale" and sale price was several hundred dollars more than the Sweda we purchased.

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