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I have a latex mattress with a 6" Blended talalay core 32 ILD. On top of the latex core, I have tried a) 2" and b) 2" + 2" of all-natural latex ILD toppers (for clarity, two different configurations: 6" 32 ILD+ 2" 21 ILD.... or 6" 32 ILD + 2" 21 ILD + 2" 21 ILD). The cover is a stretch knit. No mattress protector yet. From a hip / spinal support point of view, I find the 6" + 2" configuration too hard. With the 6" + 2" + 2" configuration, I find that hip / spinal support starts to suffer. Based on how these two configurations have felt, I suppose a 6" 32ILD + 3" 21 ILD configuration would probably be optimal in terms of hip / spinal support for me. But I have problems with how the mattress feels for my shoulders / arms. In both configurations, the mattress feels hard on my shoulders / arms. As a result, I toss and turn. I miss the pillowtop feeling of my former innerspring matters (although the support was poor for me). Does anybody have recommendations for creating more of a "pillowtop" feeling for the latex mattress and improve pressure relief for shoulders / arms? I have read that some of you have tried zoning and have experimented with memory foam and latex 14 ILD, over the other latex layers. Have you found those strategies to be effective? Just FYI, I am an average body side sleeper. So shoulder / arm comfort is important in the mattress. Thanks very much.
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I received the fiber bed that I ordered from Overstock... thought I'd try it as a latex free alternative topper. It received glowing reviews from all on Overstock, except, it won't from me. It made for a very lumpy, ugly top to my bed. Maybe if I gave it more time, it would have evened out, but it did not give me the feel I was looking for. You get what you pay for... it's going back. On another note, as time goes by, my mattress feels like it is breaking in and I'm getting used to it. I thought I needed a topper but not sure now... will wait a while before I try one. I have a St. Dormier protector on top of the mattress cover, then a Snugfleece Elite wool fleece topper (pretty thick). I did buy a set of new jersey knit sheets that I really like. They actually make the bed feel softer. They are from The Company Store and are supposed to fit really thick mattresses, but the fitted sheet just fits mine at about 11-12". If I add a topper under my wool fleece, I don't think it will fit well. The stretch of these sheets does help preserve the feel of what's underneath. If I try a topper, to relieve pressure points, it will be a soft blended dunlop, 1" or 2" of 18ILD 55K. I do have a small piece of cheap packing egg crate foam under my hips to keep them from sinking too low. This has helped my alignment. To check alignment, when standing, I put magic marker dots along my spine. It's an easy way to see your alignment on your mattress. (You can check it yourself with two mirrors.) Tessie |
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Tessie wrote: Catherine, http://www.nontoxic.com/latexmattress/7zone_explained.html.... I might try different foam in the shoulder-cutout area when I get some time. That might be a good spot for some memory foam. Sorry your Overstock fiber bed didn't work out. -Catherine |
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Yeah, I agree. I could never do zoning myself... but this is a mattress or a 3" topper that is already zoned. More cushy for upper body/shoulder region a lttle less in the hip area, more support in the lumbar area. Thought it looked like it would suit me, maybe not my husband though. Tessie |
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I know this is an old thread, so I apologize for reviving it, but I believe many people are making the mistake of trying to fix their "too firm" latex mattresses by adding tons of soft stuff on top when in many cases, the core is simply too firm and that's what you should be targeting.
Tessie, a 32 ILD + 38 ILD core would be WAY too firm for me as a side sleeper and I'm 5'11, 150lbs (25 lbs heavier than you). Toto, I don't believe you stated your weight, but 6" of 32 ILD is too firm for a lot of people who don't weigh at least 170-180 lbs. The host of the other major mattress forum is 195lbs and sleeps on 3" of 22 ILD over 4" of 28 ILD over 3" of 22 ILD (plus some soft foam in the quilting of both sides of his 2-sided/flippable mattress).
I've been building a DIY mattress for the past few months and I currently have the following set up in a 12" zippered 4-way stretch knit cotton cover (similar to the Pure Latex Bliss covers):
2" 15 ILD Celsion So 15 total inches of latex. As a 150lb side sleeper, this feels about right (I've only been back on this combo for about a week afyer trying some other configurations listed below). My wife is closer to 100lbs and our current set up is *almost* too firm for her as a side sleeper (but it's tolerable).
All of our cores are split, and I have also tried the following combos for my side of the 6" base/core: Additionally, I have been experimenting with pillows throughout my DIY mattress journey and I found that 1 lofty pillow caused immense shoulder pain with the softer set up I'm using now (6" of 28 ILD for the core). The reason is, this setup was soft enough that as a side-sleeper, it allowed my entire upper body to collapse onto my arm (just below my shoulder actually). I was completely cutting off circulation and my arm would feel sore all day. This went on for about a week. Then I added a second pillow (in an angled configuration) and this lifted my upper body off of the mattress a bit and the pain completely went away. So with the softer core, I need 2 pillows. I can get away with 1 pillow if I make the core firmer (my upper body no longer collapses onto my arm), but then the mattress feels too firm overall. This message was modified May 21, 2014 by jkozlow3
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| Blast from the past! Good info here. |
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Thanks for all your comments. My stats: male 5ft 10". 175lbs. Side sleeper. This is an update to share my current configuration and results (from top to bottom):
2" talalay 21 ILD 2" talalay zoned: 21 ILD in the shoulder area... 28 ILD below that (torso, hip, leg, feet area). I made this zoned layer by cutting latex that I had purchased 6" talalay core 32 ILD
I am sleeping better than I have had in many years. This mattress is an improvement over anything I have had before. However, I still experience some (but not much) shoulder pain (the upper, outside, part of the arm), which I attibute to pressure points. The hip support is on the edge of being sufficient. There is no lumbar pain in the morning, but in a perfect world, I would prefer a bit more support at the hips.
In earlier comments, Sandman described his configuration, which has 5" of soft material at the shoulder level (1" mem foam + 1" 24 ILD + 1" 19ILD + roughly 2" 17/19 ILD in the zoned layer) and higher average ILD (than mine) at the hip level (you can see Sandman's configuration and his comments earlier in this thread). Whenever I am ready to experiment again, I will attempt to get a bit closer to his configuration to get more pressure point relief in the shoulder zone, and a bit more support in the hip zone. Another potential path is to make the zoned layer 3" and increase the ILD of the core. Not sure yet. Fortunately, my current configuration is good enough that I can take my time to think the next move.
I am really impressed at the way people help each other in these forums. Some members have a lot knowledge and experience, and devote a lot of time to helping others. Sandman gave me very valuable advice. As did the host of the other forum. I want to thank them. They have made a difference in the quality of my sleep. |
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Toto wrote: Thanks for all your comments.
My stats: male 5ft 10". 175lbs. Side sleeper. This is an update to share my current configuration and results (from top to bottom):
2" talalay 21 ILD 2" talalay zoned: 21 ILD in the shoulder area... 28 ILD below that (torso, hip, leg, feet area). I made this zoned layer by cutting latex that I had purchased 6" talalay core 32 ILD
I am sleeping better than I have had in many years. This mattress is an improvement over anything I have had before. However, I still experience some (but not much) shoulder pain (the upper, outside, part of the arm), which I attibute to pressure points. The hip support is on the edge of being sufficient. There is no lumbar pain in the morning, but in a perfect world, I would prefer a bit more support at the hips.
In earlier comments, Sandman described his configuration, which has 5" of soft material at the shoulder level (1" mem foam + 1" 24 ILD + 1" 19ILD + roughly 2" 17/19 ILD in the zoned layer) and higher average ILD (than mine) at the hip level (you can see Sandman's configuration and his comments earlier in this thread). Whenever I am ready to experiment again, I will attempt to get a bit closer to his configuration to get more pressure point relief in the shoulder zone, and a bit more support in the hip zone. Another potential path is to make the zoned layer 3" and increase the ILD of the core. Not sure yet. Fortunately, my current configuration is good enough that I can take my time to think the next move.
I am really impressed at the way people help each other in these forums. Some members have a lot knowledge and experience, and devote a lot of time to helping others. Sandman gave me very valuable advice. As did the host of the other forum. I want to thank them. They have made a difference in the quality of my sleep. |