Mattress Forum

Have you had the chance to lay on some latex mattresses to get a sense of what works for you? Latex has a different feel from polyfoam and how it feels depends a lot on how far you sink in and the ILD and layering. In general this would seem like a pretty firm mattress to me since most of your comfort layer is 32 ILD (which other people would like). A lot of people make comments that when they actually try latex it is actually softer or firmer than they expected. This would probably be OK if you were a back or stomach sleeper ... not quite so good for side sleeping ... YMMV.

I would probably use a different supplier for your latex layers at the very least. While FBM often has a low initial cost ... they also will often send you something different from what you ordered (especially with the latex they sell) and if this happens it can cause a lot more problems and cost you a lot more money than you may expect. There are low cost latex options available that you can be much more certain that what you pay for is what you get and it will probably save you money in the long run to buy from a supplier with a better reputation.

The support layers you have are HD foam (2.0 lb/cu ft) which is great for cost but does not have the support "range" of HR poly (2.5 lb/cu ft and higher) to accomodate different sleeping positions as well. 50ILD is also pretty firm which may or may not be a good thing (depending on what your needs are and what any field testing tells you works the best). If you can get a sense of what you need, thicker layers ... especially in the support layers of your mattress ... generally work better than many thinner layers.

Overall what I would say about this layout is "it depends" on how you sleep and what you have discovered in laying on mattresses "in the field".

Phoenix

Thanks for the reply, Phoenix.  Your knowledge on the subject is really impressive and obviously helpful to many people here.

To answer your question, I have not laid on any latex mattresses yet, and as foolish as it sounds, am not sure I will before making a purchase.  I'm not going to be able to replicate the above setup at a mattress store and if I lay on an all-latex mattress, it wont prove much for me.  What I like about a setup such as above is that I can make adjustments if I dont get it right the first time.  I would love to go the SleepEZ or Flobed route, but I don't have the budget for it.

Regarding FBM, I've read some less than stellar comments, but for each of those I've read multiple positive accounts of their products working well.  I'm probably willing to substitute a less-perfect product for savings of hundreds.  I really dont consider myself too picky with a mattress and as someone without back problems, am not trying to assemble the holy-grail of mattresses, rather something that will be comfortable and last a decent while.  No matter what I order, I'm certain it'll be better than the spring mattress I'm on now...

With that said, I'd be willing to look at other retailers for latex if it would ensure better quality at a low price.  Suggestions would certainly be appreciated

Could you also confirm about the HD foam being 2.0lb/cu ft?  I see the HD36 High Quality as being 2.8lb. cu/ft on the site. 

Thanks!

If you could tell me more about your sleeping positions it may help a bit to make better suggestions.

Another thing that may help (in the absence of field testing) is any details of mattresses that you have slept on and liked in the past to give an idea of what you are most comfortable with.

FBM is not a problem for someone that is willing to "flip a coin" in terms of 50/50 odds of getting what you want. Sometimes the "gambler" in us makes the saving worth it :). They are more likely to be accurate with the poly than the latex IMO.

The information about the FBM HD 36 being 2.0 lbs/sq ft  came from here.

Phoenix

Phoenix,

I'm a side and back sleeper.  The girlfriend is strictly a side sleeper.  The spring mattress we have now is crap in my eyes because it feels like it has no support.  If I'm to kneel on the bed, my knees fall so far into it - the springs are much too weak.  As crazy as it sounds, I slept beautifully on the dorm mattresses in college.  I dont believe they had springs in them.

I'm guessing you might tell me I need to soften the setup for side sleeping..  Would adding another inch of soft be advised?

BTW, for the foams I'm going with the high quality versions: http://www.foamdistributing.com/products/hd36-hqM.html and http://www.foamdistributing.com/products/lux-hqM.html, both are labeled 2.8 pcf.

I'm just itching to order...! 

In terms of comfort, 1" soft over 3" of what could be called "medium on the border of firm" is bordering on a firm overall comfort layer but it is in thinner layers which makes it "act" softer. This may be OK more for you than your GF.

In general lighter people (like your girlfriend) prefer and need thinner and softer comfort layers because they don't sink in as far and heavier people need a little thicker and maybe a bit firmer because their definition and perception of "firm" is often firmer than someone who is lighter. Sometimes there is a problem with side sleeping that the shoulders don't sink in enough to a firmer layering and end up being "raised" in relation to the hips which can cause alignment issues or not sinking in enough which can lead to pressure issues. Men are "more likely" to have broader shoulders and have more "issues" there and women in general have broader hips and have more "issues" there. The shoulders come "into play" more in side sleeping and the hips/pelvis comes into play in all positions since in both men and women the hips and pelvis can sink in too far and causing "hammocking" which also puts the spine out of alignment in all 3 positions.

You like a firm mattress so your overall construction seems pretty good to me ... assuming you actually get what you order. If I was to change anything ... and bearing in mind that I have no actual feedback to go by so am relying on "averages" the only change I may make would be to make the 1" talalay 32 ILD a little softer (24-28) but they don't seem to have that available on any of their websites esxcept as a thicker layer inside their mattresses. May be worth a call to see.

Other than that ... it's nice to see how well thought out your mattress is and how carefully you are making choices that lead to the "best for the least". I really like that kind of thinking as I share it :)

Phoenix.

Totally makes sense... (I feel like I've learned a ton about this stuff in a very short time!)

If I go wit this setup and she's not comfortable and needs something softer, do you think something like the cuddlebed would work?

Unrelated, but would it be okay to have the latex+2 foams (8") in an encasement, and the base on my slats?  foambymail does a max of 8" for a case.

With latex it is very important to have a case around it as ultraviolet light and ozone can cause it to degrade and breakdown much faster. Poly not so much but I would probably tend to use a case that fit around all of it. I would also tend to use a case that was as "elastic" as possible as it will help with the feel and performance of the latex and a "less elastic" case may not work as well with a "firmer" comfort layer. If you want to sleep on wool or something else rather than directly on the latex, you could always add it as a mattress pad.

If foambymail can't make their terry "upgrade" cover in a 10" version (ask them when you talk to them), then I would consider getting one either at http://www.foamorder.com or at http://sleepez.com/mattresscomponents.htm. They may cost you a bit more but I believe would be worth it. In the end though if I had to leave a layer out for the sake of having a lower cost cover ... it would be a poly layer.

Phoenix

Given what I posted in the last (simultaneous) post, everything makes sense to me.

Congratulations ... and I really hope you will post here to let us know how things work out.

You are clearly anxious to "get sleeping" (laughing)

Phoenix