Mattress Forum

3" of 28 might work ok.  Hard to know how it will interact with the springs.  It may be on the firm side... you could add 1-2" of 19-21 on top later to finish it off.

Definitely use a wool pad over it to aid ventilation.  Even a thin polyester pad tends to trap body heat at the top Latex layer... wool works better.

GK

I've seen wool pads from with a wide variety of loft.   Some look to be a traditional looking pad with a thin layer of wool sewn in while others are a very thick fleece look.  I don't want to lose any of the benefits of the latex by putting it under a bunch of wool, but I do like what I read about the benefits of wool  Should I be looking at the thinner pads?  Would I still gain the benefits?  Any specific brands or specifications are welcomed.

However, because I wanted instant gratifcation (and many places selling St. Dormeir seem to have a multiple week lead time to order it) I ended up buying Foam Sweet Foam's mattress pad, which is wool loft and cotton, and also pretty thin: http://www.foamsweetfoam.com/king-natural-mattress-pad-4.html It has been a really nice change from our poly-fill, poly blend prior mattress cover. 

By the way, I'm doing something similar to you: experimenting with latex over my newly deconstructed pillowtop. I got 2" of "medium" (N3) natual latex from Foam Sweet Foam on clearance. It's definitely a major improvement over the lumpy 2 year old pillowtop, BUT my husband and I found it was a little too firm for side-sleeping comfort, so I'm awaiting delivery of a couple of 1" toppers in soft and extra soft (N2 and N3) - but YMMV. Good luck and keep us posted - this board is such a great resource. 

What do you think of something like this http://www.dreamsoftbedware.com/bsnugdelmatc2.html

Too thick?

Even a normal/thin layer will make a ventilation difference.  Like you say, too thick can interfere with the contouring affect of Latex.  A layer of good wool should do it... a stretchy cover would be a plus.  Machine washable would be good.

I have no wool pads to recommend... looking at the St. D myself.  But the wool in my mattress cover has demonstrated its advantages when compared with putting a typical polyfill pad over the top Latex layer.  We pulled the top Latex layer out of the cover to see how it felt closer to our bodies... to see if the mattress cover was affecting firmness.  We concluded the mattress cover was doing its best not to affect firmness while still being a cover.  And that wool beats polyfill for ventilation.  Our mattress cover is no more than 3/8" thick.

GK

Guesstimating here...

The 28 Latex on 'wow' firm spring core will probably work for you... you may want a few more inches of Latex to isolate the springs a bit more. Your wife, typically side sleepers, may find it to be too firm... not enough hip and shoulder plunge... so, a few more inches of softer Latex on top might serve her, also.

GK

My thinking is to try it out this weekend and order another 3" of the soft ILD if it is still too firm.  Do you think I'll bottom out the 3" soft layer?

I would try it for a week or more.

The LI Talatech 28 over springs is probably advisable... not too soft.  Three more of 19-22 over that may be too deep (will sag) for you, if you are a front sleeper, but perhaps not... hard to know how the Latex will behave over the springs.  Take it one step at a time.  The basic Latex model is a 2" comfort layer over a 6" core layer.  Given the core is firm springs... and your weight, a little more comfort layer might work out.

For temp trial, you can fold the 3" 28 into 6" 28 and lay on it.  Fold gently and stay off the fold.  Note:  The higher the ILD, the more likely folding will tear the Latex, such as for 44 ILD.  Move the Latex around gently... no pulling, just rolling and flopping/jiggling into position.

GK

I'm also waiting for the info right here