The Futon Shop (TFS) Organic Wool and Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress
Highlights: The best of both worlds – this traditional Japanese style futon comprises organic wool, organic cotton, and potato-based PLA fiber fill. It is much lighter than an all-cotton futon, and much softer, making it a good choice for lighter adults and children or for sitting.
At a glance:
- Pricing: $1,655 – $2,230 (5-inch Queen $2,086 – though $521 on sale at time of writing!)
- Materials: USDA organic cotton, GOTS wool, Non-GMO potato-based PLA fiber
- Certifications: USDA organic, GOTS (for wool), Oeko-Tex
- Sleep Trial: 30-day comfort exchange
- Depth: 3-inch, 5-inch
- Sizes: Twin, Twin Xl, Full/Double, Queen, Eastern King, Cali King
- Best for: Lighter adults and kids
- Much lighter than a cotton or wool futon
- Softer, plusher feel with pressure-point relief
- Cheaper than a wool or cotton futon
- Available without prescription
- Easily rollable and bendable
- Cheaper than an all-cotton or wool futon
- Too soft for many average weight and heavier adults (firmer options are available from TFS)
- Not intended for every night use
The Futon Shop Organic Wool and Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress, or Shikibuton, is a classic Japanese style, handmade futon. It is polyfoam-free, with no chemical flame retardants or other hazardous chemicals, though it does contain layers of potato-based PLA fiber fill.
You can choose between a 3-inch and 5-inch option for the wool and cotton futon, in sizes from Twin to Cali King.
What’s in it?
The Wool and Organic Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress comprises 100% USDA certified organic cotton, 100% GOTS certified organic American grown chemical-free wool, and layers of PLA fiber derived from potato starch. This biodegradable fiber (polylactic acid) is non-toxic, Oeko-Tex certified, and qualifies for GOTS certification (though this futon isn’t GOTS certified). PLA fill provides a softer sleep surface but remains resistant to compression and body impressions.
The shikibuton cover comprises 7 oz. GOTS certified organic cotton fabric (or you can choose a poly blend).
Why we love the Shikibuton from TFS
This cotton, wool, and PLA futon is arguably more sustainably made than a straight-up cotton or wool futon that requires more resources for plant growth and processing. The PLA also helps to reduce the overall weight of the futon quite considerably (by about two-thirds!) and makes for a softer sleep surface.
If you’ve always found futons too hard for comfort, this shikibuton may change your mind. It’s a great choice for lighter adults (under 140 lb.), side-sleepers, and for sitting. It offers gentle support for shoulders, hips, and knees, and is more pillow-like than mattress-like.
Thanks to the breathable and lightweight fibers in the Wool and Cotton Futon, and the natural thermoregulating properties of wool, this futon supports a good night’s sleep. The cotton and wool futon works great with a traditional Tatami Mat or coir pad or on a platform bed or sofa bed frame. It’s also easy to roll up and store when not in use.
What we don’t love
If you sleep on your front or back, this shikibuton is likely too soft. A firmer futon, like the Fairhaven, may be a better option.
It’s not intended for a slatted bed frame though as it’s bendable and easily rolled. Note that the mattress arrives compressed in a box and needs to be left to fluff out for a day or so before use.
Why we like The Futon Shop
The Futon Shop has been in business for more than 45 years and has a comfortable reputation as one of the best futon makers around. This 1% for the Planet member makes mattresses, futons, sofas, and bedding by hand in its San Francisco factory using natural and certified organic materials.
Everything is free of hazardous chemicals, meaning no chemical flame retardants, no synthetic foam or other synthetic materials. Instead, The Futon Shop specializes in using organic, natural, recognizable, healthy, and safe materials like organic wool, organic cotton, coconut coir, and natural latex.
The Futon Shop makes every Shikibuton to order in its California factory, meaning no mattresses are lying about in warehouses gathering dust and mold. We also love that The Futon Shop sells direct to consumers because this means these quality products are super affordable!
TFS offers a 30-Day Comfort Guarantee. This means if you don’t love your futon, you can exchange it after sleeping on it for 15-25 nights. The one-time exchange works for a different model in the same size and of equal or lesser value. Or, you can trade your futon for credit against a higher price option, or donate the mattress if you can’t mail it back. If you choose the latter route, TFS will credit you with 50% of the purchase price with proof of donation.
Enter your email address for 10% off organic bedding