How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Sep 24, 2009 11:02 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
I just got another soft latex topper (i have one on already, on top of pu foam), and i think it might be too soft with both toppers. Was thinking another 1" would just increase the durability, and not make it that much softer...

Now i'm wondering if i should have gotten their medium topper (to go under the soft one)? Does anyone have one of these? How does it feel?

Thank you!

(Otherwise i am very happy with my setup!)
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #1 Sep 25, 2009 12:02 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
I know I am usually trying to "tweak" my bed just right. When it's bad I'm trying to make it better... and when it's good... I'm trying to make it better!

Ideally, I think having a medium and a soft is better than having 2 softs or two mediums. With one of each you can tweak it more, one or the other on top... One inch of the right foam can definitely make a difference under the right circumstances, as can the order in which it is set into the system.

I have ¾" of an unknown ILD of latex as my top foam layer and it's working great, but I'm wondering if another softer layer of latex might be even better, so I'm thinking of buying the soft foam at FBM. I'm GUESSING the ILD of mine is maybe 24-28, though it could be only 20. So I may end up with too much soft foam. Their latex is either 32 or 20ILD so I might get a 20ILD in a 1" thickness.
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #2 Sep 27, 2009 7:44 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
Thanks, Jim. Do you know what the medium topper feels like?
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #3 Sep 28, 2009 3:30 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
electracat wrote:
Thanks, Jim. Do you know what the medium topper feels like?
No, sorry; I don't know what either of these feel like. I WISH I knew what ILD the one I got is, but I got it at a foam distributor warehouse, it was laying in a scrap pile and I said, "Can I buy that?" and I got it for like $25. So I can only guess that mine is a 24-28ILD. I would really like to try a super soft latex. It was recommended to me for my back but I have never gotten one. It will be my next purchase, mattress-wise, I think.
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #4 Sep 29, 2009 2:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2, 2009
Points: 26
I couldn't tell much of a difference.  However, with the soft topper on top (1 inch) it hurt me and my wife's backs.  After taking it off, it was fine.  I may try that soft layer underneath the medium tonight just to see if there's any difference at all.  But the difference is barely noticable.  I can confidently say that the medium will give you good support.
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #5 Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
hi vaphils,

thanks for your thoughts. Just a little confused, though: If there is no discernible difference between soft and medium, and the soft hurts your back, why would the medium one be more supportive?

thanks!!
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #6 Sep 29, 2009 7:56 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
electracat wrote:
hi vaphils,

thanks for your thoughts. Just a little confused, though: If there is no discernible difference between soft and medium, and the soft hurts your back, why would the medium one be more supportive?

thanks!!

I'm guessing that the difference is subtle and can only be determined when laying on it... but maybe the medium does provide more support. Theoretically it should. Also, probably in an expert's hands, the difference could be felt.
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #7 Oct 5, 2009 3:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2, 2009
Points: 26
electracat wrote:
hi vaphils,

thanks for your thoughts. Just a little confused, though: If there is no discernible difference between soft and medium, and the soft hurts your back, why would the medium one be more supportive?

thanks!!


Let me clarify: the soft layer, when I squeeze it doesn't seem to be much different at all vs squeezing the medium.  But the medium is slightly more supportive.  Also, I'm laying on 4 inches of the medium (3+1) so that's what I meant by supportive.  For whatever reason, the extra 1 inch of soft hurt our backs. Maybe it was just enough to allow our backs to sink in without enough support, and overall we prefer firm vs plush.

Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #8 Oct 5, 2009 3:57 PM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Ok I have a question.  When we are talking about "medim" and "soft," what ILDs are we talking about?  Is there some sort of industry standard for those definitions?
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #9 Oct 5, 2009 4:13 PM
Joined: Nov 4, 2008
Points: 223
Kimberly, when we speak of 'soft' and 'medium' toppers from Foambymail, we're talking 20 and 32 ILD's, respectively. Other companies have different ILD's, and i think the lowest (softest) i've heard of is 14. They do vary in softness depending on the company, and the same ILD from two different companies can feel quite different.
Re: How do FBM's soft and medium latex toppers differ?
Reply #10 Oct 6, 2009 9:50 AM
Joined: Sep 2, 2009
Points: 26
Ok I have an update for ya electracat.  Apparently my wife said her back was still getting slightly sore from just the 4 inches of medium on top.  So I tried this setup last night from bottom to top: 6 inch LUX, 1 medium, 1 soft, and 3 medium.  This morning, she said she had no back pain and I found it more comfortable than just medium.  So I think we're going to go with this setup, provided it's the same for another week.  The soft layer underneath the medium "softens" it up a bit but you don't lose any support.

Another thing my wife said is that the latex sleeps warm.  I didn't notice this (probably because the fan was on) and I usually sleep hot.  All we have on it is the Protect a Bed cover and bamboo sheets.  With winter coming up this probably won't be an issue, but wondering if you have experienced the same thing with latex?