Like Goldilocks, I am in search of, among other things, the perfect mattress—one that feels just right. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to test out a couple of options from Sealy’s new Embody line of mattresses, which will be available in select retail stores this spring. The sleek, new innovative mattresses come in two models: a Visco/Memory foam mattress for people who like the feeling of sinking into their bed and a latex foam mattress for people who prefer the feeling of lying on their bed.
I preferred the latex model, and found that there was much to like about the new mattress. For starters, it’s made of 100 percent foam from top to bottom (no metal inner springs), which enhances comfort. This latex is a petroleum-based synthetic variety reinforced with nylon through a patented interlock system to increase its durability and eliminate what are known in the industry as surface impressions, or the indentations that eventually form in a mattress after repeatedly supporting the weight of a body over time. According to the manufacturer, this kind of latex is also allergen-resistant, provides a natural shield against dust mites and is also free of ozone-depleting chemicals and formaldehyde.
The mattress is topped with an intuitive fabric developed by Polartec called Body Climate, which contains air channels that regulate temperature, wick away moisture and provide breathability. The design of the fabric covering is unlike any other mattress in that it makes the mattress look almost like a crisply made bed—even before it’s topped with sheets and linens.
Another of the all-foam mattress’s plus points is that it’s affordable compared to other foam options—it starts at about $2,000 (a good friend of mine bought a natural latex mattress that cost her $4,000). I found the mattress to be extremely comfortable, which is at the top of my list of criteria for a new mattress. From an earth-friendly perspective though, I prefer to limit the petroleum-based products in my world, so I want to find a mattress made of soy foam or natural latex (a lot of people are allergic to natural latex, however, and according to the manufacturer, allergic reactions aren’t an issue with synthetic latex). I also want one with a slimmer profile, about 8 inches deep. I’m not sure mattresses this thin are even made anymore, but the construction of my British colonial-style platform bed was designed to support a narrower mattress, so I’ll keep looking for the just-right mattress for me. But these new mattresses have much to offer the consumer who’s looking for an all-foam version at a moderate price.
