Hi MikeinVA,
I have mixed feelings about going to a showroom knowing that they have no chance of getting my business (this was a Saavy Rest dealer - just won't pay that price). My wife and I specifically wanted to see if Latex was for us and get an idea for the comfort and support layers. We found that we did like latex and tried several configurations of their 3-layer offerings. This seemed to be where we landed:
Top layer: 3" Med Talalay
Mid layer: 3" Med Dunlop
Base layer: 3" Firm Dunlop
There mattress covering is a wool batting in natural cotton, seemed fine.
What I have learned from reading here is that Saavy does not give their compression levels, yet I know that there are 2 Talalay manufacturers on the plant so I should be able to get close shopping around. I"m thinking I may not have to deal with too much variance in Dunlop in layers 2 and 3, with the traditional process (continuous could be a bit softer and may talk to Spindle about that).
With all that said, it seems mattress.net, flexus, foamorder, and sleepez are all in the running. I really liked the info on Spindle as well (thou he is all dunlop - I may call). I will deep dive on searches here for all of these companies as I am ok ordering online. My questions:
I'm not sure what you've read since you found the site but just in case you haven't read it yet ... the first place I would start your research is the
mattress shopping tutorial here
which includes all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choice ... and perhaps more importantly know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
Two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you've read are
post #2 here
which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best "match" for you in terms of "comfort" and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn't turn out as well as you hoped for and
post #13 here
which has more about the most important parts of the "value" of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your
personal value equation
that are most important to you.
Another mattress that uses the same type and blend of latex with the same thickness and the same firmness in each layer and has a similar cover will be closely comparable to the Savvy Rest mattress that you tested.
When you can't test a mattress in person then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart and who can help "talk you through" the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and "feel" of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc) and the options they have available that may be the best "match" for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the "averages" of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about "matching" their specific mattress designs and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with such as Savvy Rest) than anyone else.
1. Am I missing any company?
The mattress shopping tutorial includes a link to a list of the members here that sell mattresses online (in the optional online step) and many of them also sell latex and latex hybrid mattresses that use different types and blends of latex (including 100% natural Talalay and Dunlop and certified organic Dunlop) that have a wide range of different designs, options, features, return and exchange policies, and prices that that would be well worth considering.
Post #3 here
also includes a list of manufacturers that sell component latex mattresses and many of these are similar to Savvy Rest mattresses except of course they are generally in lower budget ranges and have different return and layer exchange policies.
2. Am I missing anything trying to translate the Saavy Rest trial we did to other e-tailers? Will I find differences in the actual product?
3. I am open to the "hey stupid, you forgot about this" if I have blatantly missed some important detail.
You have all the information that it will be possible to get (the type and blend of latex and the thickness of each layer) because Savvy Rest doesn't provide exact specifics about the ILD of their layers. Every layer and component in a mattress (including the cover and quilting material) will affect the feel and performance of every other layer and the mattress "as a whole" so any differences in the mattresses in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP would depend on how any differences in design, layer thicknesses, the type and blend of latex, and the firmness of each layer affected the overall feel and performance of each mattress you are comparing.
Mattresses that have exactly the same design and specs will be closely comparable but different people with different body types, sleeping styles, sensitivities and preferences may have different opinions about how two mattresses that have a different design and specs will compare to each other. In some cases two mattresses that have different specs may be closely comparable for some people but can feel different to others. The only reliable way to know for certain how they will compare for you will be based on your own careful testing on both mattresses (hopefully side by side in real time) or on your own personal experience..
Phoenix