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Shepherd’s Dream Natural Bedding Glossary

Natural Bedding Glossary

When shopping for natural bedding, you’ll notice that a lot of similar products are called various names across retailers and manufacturers. It can make the process of choosing new bedding convoluted when it really doesn’t need to be. To help you, we’ve put together this Natural Bedding Glossary of our Shepherd’s Dream products and some common alternate names used throughout the industry.

Natural Mattresses

All Wool Mattress

Our flagship product and most popular mattress! This 5″ deep futon style mattress is filled with premium EcoWool and covered in 100% melton wool. Our All Wool Mattress is hand tufted throughout to stop the wool filling from migrating. It is firm and comes as a standalone, or as 1 part of our 3-part All Wool Mattress System.

May also be known as:

  • Floor Mattress
  • Futon Mattress
  • Futon Bed

Alpine HDM by European Sleep Works

This isn’t a Shepherd’s Dream bed, but a hybrid mattress by European Sleep Works. It combines 2,000 micro coils with Oeko Tex-certified Talalay latex, on top of larger base coils. The Alpine HDM cover is made from stretch-knit cotton and wool. It is available in 2) different firmness’s. The result is a firm surface that provides deep contours for curvature of the body.

May also we known as:

  • Natural Hybrid Mattress
  • Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress
  • Combo Bed

Cascade Latex Mattress

This all-natural latex mattress is 6” deep and made from 100% all-natural dunlop latex. The cover is a quilted encasement made of organic cotton, organic canvas, and Premium EcoWool. It has a zipper for easy removal and convenient maintenance. Medium-Firm for optimal support.

May also be known as:

  • Dunlop Mattress
  • Natural Latex Mattress

Nordic HDM

This isn’t a Shepherd’s Dream bed but a hybrid mattress by European Sleep Works. Similar to the Alpine HDM but it has an extra layer of Oeko Tex-certified Talalay latex and another layer of micro coils. The result is an even more luxurious mattress that accommodates your body’s curves and relieves pressure while you sleep, helping alignment.

May also be known as:

  • Natural Hybrid Mattress
  • Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress
  • Combo Bed

Natural Mattress Bases

Cascade Latex Base

A supportive 3” layer of 100% all-natural Dunlop latex. Intended to go under your All Wool Mattress on top of the bed slats. This provides some give and allows you to experience the support and benefits of our All Wool Mattress, but with a little more squish. The cover is organic cotton with a zipper for easy removal and convenient maintenance.

May also be known as:

  • Mattress Base
  • Bed Base
  • Latex Base
  • Latex Support Layer
  • Mattress Foundation Layer
  • Comfort Layer

CocoCoir Comfort Pad

A 1” mat made of coconut coir fiber with natural latex. The comfort pad is porous and promotes air circulation between the bottom of your mattress and a bed’s supportive slats. Choose this if you don’t want the squish that the Cascade Latex Base provides.

May also be known as:

  • Coco Coir Pad
  • Coir Pad
  • Coconut Fiber Pad

Natural Wool Toppers

Organic Wool Mattress Topper

Crafted from 100% GOTS-certified organic wool from New Zealand. Our 2” Organic Wool Mattress Topper is covered in certified organic cotton sateen that cannot be removed. The Organic Wool Topper is designed to be placed on top of your mattress but below the fitted sheet. 

May also be known as:

  • Organic Wool Comfort Layer
  • Organic Wool Mattress Pad
  • Organic Wool Pillow Top

Wool Mattress Topper

Our Wool Topper has 2) options to make your sleep set up more custom to you. Both options are filled with premium EcoWool and covered in organic cotton that cannot be removed. They are tufted throughout to stop the fill from migrating. Designed to be placed on top of your mattress but below the fitted sheet.

  1. 3” Wool Topper: Adds softness to your sleeping set up. Choose this over the 2” topper if you want a plusher feel or more pressure relief for your hips and shoulders.
  2. 2” Wool Topper is perfect for anyone who wants to add gentle surface softness and temperature regulation without fundamentally changing the support of your current mattress.

May also be known as:

  • Wool Comfort Layer
  • Wool Mattress Pad
  • Wool Pillow Top

Natural Comforters and Blankets

Ashland Organic Wool Comforter

Our 100% GOTS-certified Organic Wool Comforter is recommended for bedrooms *50-75 degrees. Filled with 100% GOTS- certified organic wool from New Zealand and covered in organic cotton. Pleasantly lightweight, but a bit heavier than down.

May also be known as:

  • Organic Duvet
  • Organic Duvet Insert
  • Organic Bed Cover
  • Organic Bedding Insert

Merino Wool Blanket

The Merino Wool Blanket is a true made in America, 100% USA grown and sewn product. Undyed, our merino wool is grown in Oregon and spun into superfine yarn right here in the US. No frills, this fan favorite blanket is lightweight and versatile. Use for layering or standalone use.


Ultralight Alpaca Comforter

Our Ultralight Alpaca Comforter is filled with premium WoolPaca, (a blend of EcoWool and Alpaca), that we source from local sheep and alpaca farmers that adhere to our strict humane and restorative farming practices. WoolPaca offers superior warmth and temperature regulation without any of the bulk that usually goes with it. Recommended for sleeping environments 50-65 degrees.

May also be known as:

  • Alpaca Duvet
  • Alpaca Duvet Insert
  • Alpaca Bed Cover
  • Alpaca Bedding Insert

Wool Comforter

Our Wool Comforter has 3) options. All are filled with premium Ecowool and encased in organic cotton that cannot be removed. We recommend a duvet cover for comforter protection and longevity.

  1. All Seasons Wool Comforter: Our most popular comforter! Recommended for sleeping environments with temperatures between *50-75 degrees.
  2. Summer Weight Wool Comforter: Recommended for sleeping environments *75 degrees or anyone who sleeps hot.
  3. Winter Weight Wool Comforter: Recommended for sleeping environments with temperatures *50 degrees or lower.

May also be known as:

  • Duvet
  • Duvet Insert
  • Bed Cover
  • Bedding Insert

*The temperature recommendations are what we found works for us. Everyone is different and these suggestions are meant to be a starting point if you’re not sure where to start*


Natural Wool Mattress Protectors

Washable Crib Mattress Protector

Made of the same pure melton wool as our wool mattress protectors, this crib protector is washable and comes pre-shrunk. To keep your baby safe, we do not use any elastic. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping. Keep them healthy with our all natural non toxic crib protector that’s free of chemicals.

May also be known as:

  • Crib Mattress Cover

Washable Wool Puddle Pad

Made of the same pure melton wool as our other wool mattress protectors, the Wool Puddle Pad is washable and comes pre-shrunk. It can be placed on top of your Washable Crib Mattress Protector for extra protection, or take it on the go as a portable changing pad. Keep your babies as healthy as possible by using our non toxic, chemical free Wool Puddle Pad.

May also be known as:

  • Diaper Changing Pad
  • Baby Changing Pad
  • Portable Changing Pad

Wool Mattress Protector

Made of pure melton wool, our wool mattress protector is washable and comes pre-shrunk. Meant to be placed directly on top of your mattress (or topper) and under the fitted sheet. It comes with elastic on the corners to keep the protector in place. The elastic can stretch to 15″ depth. Helps protect your bedding for increased longevity.

May also be known as:

  • Mattress Cover

Wool Travel Bed

Travel Bed

The Natural Wool Travel Bed is 3” and filled with premium EcoWool. It’s covered in organic cotton that cannot be removed, and hand tufted throughout so the wool doesn’t shift around. Take it with you wherever you go; overnight hotel trips, camping, etc. It is half as wide as a queen sized mattress for reference.

May also be known as:

  • Sleeping Pad
  • Sleeping Mat
  • Camping Pad
  • Ground Pad
  • Roll Mat
  • Travel Pad

Hopefully this has provided some clarity for you in your new bedding search. Of course, if you ever have any questions please reach out to our customer service. We always want to help and are looking forward to hearing from you!

For orders that are not local and would need to be shipped, please use: 800-966-5540

For local orders that will be picked up in our Ashland Showroom or delivered locally, please use: 541-625-0511.

Or use our “contact us” form to reach out to us via email.

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