Hi Hazel,

Many thanks for your question about these two mattress choices. It's important to research your new mattress purchase to see exactly what you're getting for your mattress budget and whether or not the mattress is suitable. Most people pick a new bed purly on budget or a 'deal' and end up regretting it when they realise its not suitable.

Let's take a look at these two mattresses and delve beneath the covers to see what value they represent.

Wool Room Herdwick 2500 Mattress Review:

The wool room mattress in a double size retails for around £839 (after the sale price). You can read more on why you need to take sales with a pinch of salt here.

It's advertised as a 100% natural fibre mattress. Which is great as this means it is going to be breathable. However, at this price range we are unsure how it can be 100% natural given that sub £1000 there are very few mattresses that are 10% natural given the high cost of materials. There is an indicator though which we will come onto in a bit.

Let's have a look at the mattress breakdown.

• Spring Count: 2500 (based on a K/S)
• Spring Type: Individual hand-nested (2 rows)
• Mattress Depth: Approx. 24cm
• Fillings: Carefully hand-picked British Wool, Cashmere, Silk and Cotton
• Ticking: Natural Merino/Viscose Blend (No fire retardant sprays used)
• Tufting: Hand-tufted with wool pom-pom tufts delivering reduced movement of fillings during the life of the mattress
• Side Stitching: 3 rows
• Chemicals: None – no fire retardant sprays used
• Available Tensions: Regular (Medium)

This is a primarily wool based mattress. Wool is one of the softest fibres so usually needs either a polyester (at this price range of around £800) or a horsehair or coir at the £1500 price point plus to help keep its loft. Without this wool mattresses can settle very quickly and flatten.

The biggest issue with this listing is the complete lack of detail around the grams per square meter of these natural fibres.  Without knowing this its impossible to accurately compare or see the value with any mattress. To give an idea, most true 100% natural fibre mattresses will start at around £1300 for a double mattress. Which is why we are surprised to see this one at around £800. Unless they are selling off an end of line range.

One of the indicators as to the probably low volume or thickness of these fibres in the mattress depth. At 24cm this is a relatively thin mattress. Our range for example are between 27cm and 33cm showing the difference in fibre content between this mattress. Given there are two layers of springs it would indicate that the upholstery ie comfort layers, are very thin. It may be worth while asking them directly for the GSM.

Ideally, any quality mattress will have a minimum 1000gsm of fibres. Without knowing it's a bit of a guessing game. For example, are the layers below each 500gsm or just 100gsm thin layers? Without the detail we can't say. Also if it had the weight listed then you would be able to work it out, but it doesnt.

Image from the Wool room.com

The wool support layer doesn't make a huge amount of sense as we know that wool is one of the softest fillings and relies on other support fillings to help keep its loft.

It only comes in a medium tension but they don't disclose the actual spring type or wire gauge. The term standard pocket springs is not used in the mattress industry. At this price point we assume the two layers of springs are spun bond (polyester coated springs) which would be at odds with the 100% natural claim. Without knowing again this is just an assumption.

In terms of mattress support, you always want to choose this based on the body weight of the sleeper. A 'firmish support' is only suitable for sleepers over 16 stone so we would recommend a 1.4 medium gauge spring unless your son is heavier than 16 stone. Choosing an overly firm spring will just lead to discomfort and has no bearing on the life span of the mattress. Which sometimes people think when buying a mattress for a teenager that a firmer spring will last longer. By maintaining the mattress with monthly turning then a quality mattress should last at least 5 - 7 years if not longer. The better care you take of it the longer it will last - sometimes 10 years plus!

John Lewis Classic Collections Luxury Mattress Review:

This mattress is in John Lewis's entry-level for a mix of synthetic and natural fibers. It utilises some natural fibres, frustratingly the amount is also not disclosed, as polyester white fibre pads too. Which is how it comes in at the price point of £600-£700 for a double, depending on their sales and price fluctuations.

John Lewis Mattress Details:

Part of our Classic Collection, the Luxury Support 1800 range of mattresses are generously filled with polycotton pads and natural fillings and supported with a ReActive Pocket spring system. With a total of 1800 pocket springs in the king size model, this range provides effective comfort and a deeply cushioned support.
About Luxury Support

Our Luxury Support range of mattresses provide a feel that's cloud-soft and gently supportive.

ReActive Pocket Spring System
This pocket spring system provides tailored and responsive support while helping to maintain the structure of your mattress. Adding an extra layer of comfort, its blend of white fibres, polyester duo pads and cotton fillings cushion the springs, and the addition of soft wool padding, cashmere and silk helps to maintain a natural airflow throughout the night. Two rows of hand side-stitching and cotton felt tufts lend a premium finish.

Chemical Free Fabric Treatment
Traditionally, manufacturers have added chemicals to mattress fabrics in order for them to be fire retardant and compliant with regulations. In our quest to be as natural as possible, this mattress has a chemical-free and naturally fire retardant finish, marking a sustainable step forward.

Again there is no detail on the spring gauge, we know that the ReActive springs are polyester encased ie spun bond. You can see this from the picture ie the white stitch bond material. A better material for pocket springs is natural calico which is far more breathable, but is only achievable with a mid-level mattress budget of £1500 plus given the higher cost. The good news is it's 2 sided so you can turn it. Again without knowing the breakdown it's near impossible to make a like for like comparison or offer our expert opinion on its quality or value.

This is a very soft feel mattress, so if you're wanting a medium feel you will need firmer fibres. Have a look below at the fibres available, their feel and relative price point. It will help you separate mattresses that simply can't contain any discernable amount if their price is sub £1500.

John Ryan Origins 1500 Mattress:

Given the price point of £600-£800 we would recommend you look at our Origins Pocket 1500 mattress. Two-sided with 1550gsm of both natural and synthetic fibre. It also has 1500 spun-bond pocket springs in a 1.4 gauge medium spring tension.

Origins Pocket 1500 Mattress

1: 300GSM WOOL

2: 750GSM VERY SOFT POLYESTER

3: 500GSM POLYESTER PAD

4: ONE INCH FOAM INSULATOR LAYER

5: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS

TOTAL: 1550GSM

DEPTH: 30-33CM

John Ryan Artisan Naturals Mattress:

If you're looking for 100% natural fibre then please look at our Artisan Naturals mattress. It features a calico encased vanadium coated pocket spring similar to Vispring and Savoir beds. It's two sided and is a true medium feel. Chemical free and free of all man made fibres. It has a whopping 3950GSM of 100% natural fibres.

Artisan Naturals Mattress

1: 1200GSM BLENDED BRITISH FLEECE WOOL AND COTTON

2: HAIRPROOF CAMBRIC COVER

3: 1250GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON

4: 1500GSM 100% PURE MOHAIR

5: 1600 CALICO ENCASED POCKET SPRINGS [49MM ] [1.28MM ]

TOTAL: 3950GSM

DEPTH: 27-30CM

CHEMICAL FREE COVER

We hope that helps and gives you further mattress buying guidance. If you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well!
John & Ryan