Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Jul 24, 2010 9:27 AM
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 12
Hi Everyone,

First of all, I appreciate this forum! Glad it's here. Been lurking a while.

Over a year ago we got a 100% lemon mattress from Sleepy's (OMG awful! sales manipulation! hypnotism! it was bad). A S&F Garden Grove. It was like a mushball--no support. I have SI joint/low back problems and they were made worse by sinking into the mattress. 

After a year of suffering, we ended up getting a queen 100% talalay latex mattress. The OMI Organicpedic Lago. Support at last! Low back comfort has been restored. The first week was totally comfy, but now we are starting to find that we want just a little bit more cushion on our shoulder and hip points (we are side/back sleepers). Like, the support is a great level, but those points need just a little bit more softness. We are both tall (5'8" and 6'2") and and slender/average weight, with bony shoulders and hips that jut out. 

So we're thinking about a latex topper to add that bit of cushion that we need. I feel confused about the density and height of the topper we should get, since we really don't need much adjustment. Anyone been in this boat?

Also, stupid newbie question: do you get an extra deep mattress pad to accommodate a topper, or does a standard one work okay? Or do you not put a mattress pad over your topper at all?

Thanks!

JB

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #6 Jul 24, 2010 3:39 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
st3v3k4hn wrote:

 I use 1" of Sensus over 1" of 24ILD 100% natural latex over 1" of 19 ILD blended latex over firmer latex and springs.


Sandman - just wondering what type of mattress (springs) you have, and if you recommend it as a base for making a soft mattress using toppers...

 


I was going to mention foambymail.com as well, and forgot.  Their quality may be a little less regular than the Latex International products (which rockymountainmattress and sleeplikeabear sell - for talalay), but some people here have been happy.  They have a 20 ILD which is about the right firmness (if accurate).

I have Sealy Reserve springs with the 3" of foam listed above + 2" of 32 ILD 100% natural talalay latex + a 1.5" wool topper.  I did "surgery" to remove all of the Sealy foam and subsituted my own higher quality foam to get the firmness + comfort.  I actually went one step further and cut out part of the 32ILD layer at the shoulder level and put in a softer piece of latex there (about 19ILD).  That helps a bit for side sleeping and reducing shoulder pressure.

The Sealy springs themselves are pretty firm, so they provide a good base support level.

I am pretty happy with the way I have it.  This is the best configuation I have slept on.  I also have some flexibility to rearrange the layers to make it a bit softer or firmer.
 

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #7 Jul 24, 2010 6:02 PM
Joined: May 22, 2008
Points: 171
sandman wrote:

I have Sealy Reserve springs with the 3" of foam listed above + 2" of 32 ILD 100% natural talalay latex + a 1.5" wool topper.  I did "surgery" to remove all of the Sealy foam and subsituted my own higher quality foam to get the firmness + comfort.  I actually went one step further and cut out part of the 32ILD layer at the shoulder level and put in a softer piece of latex there (about 19ILD).  That helps a bit for side sleeping and reducing shoulder pressure. The Sealy springs themselves are pretty firm, so they provide a good base support level.


Did you buy a mattress to do surgery on or was this an older mattress? I've read about people doing this but I always wonder what it looks like, ie do you have a cover, is it all zipped up, etc. Any pictures?

Thanks...

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #8 Jul 24, 2010 6:13 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 404
topperquest:  I have 2 1" 14 ILD toppers from sleeplikeabear.  I am 105 lb.  I found I sunk right through the 1" to the surface below but stacking the 2 toppers was much better for pressure relief.  I also suspect that 2 1" pieces stacked would be slightly softer than 1 2" piece.
Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #9 Jul 24, 2010 8:17 PM
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 12
Thanks, DianeK. We are poised to purchase a 20 ILD 1" topper from foambymail. Hesitating a bit, considering the 2", but like it's been said here... we can always order another inch. It's not priced better or anything to get the 2". Then we will know if we like the 20 ILD without having invested in 2". I guess. Suppose we'll sleep on it.

Ha. 

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #10 Jul 24, 2010 8:27 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 404
Right you are - you can always add another 1" of the same of different ILD going this route.  Good luck.
Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #11 Jul 24, 2010 8:28 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 404
oops - typo: meant to say same or different
Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #12 Jul 25, 2010 1:00 AM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
st3v3k4hn wrote:

 


Did you buy a mattress to do surgery on or was this an older mattress? I've read about people doing this but I always wonder what it looks like, ie do you have a cover, is it all zipped up, etc. Any pictures?

Thanks...


The Sealy I started with was very slightly used by a friend, so basically new.  I don't have a zipper cover on it at this point.  The wool topper has elastic in the 4 corners, and that sort of hold it together.  Then I put a mattress pad/protector over the whole thing that tucks in.  So, it is not really a problem.  I don't think you would notice any difference from any other mattress that has a mattress pad on it.
 

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #13 Jul 25, 2010 1:51 AM
Ouch
Location: San Jose, CA
Joined: Apr 4, 2010
Points: 143
topperquest wrote:

 

And I have a buying question...

 

Huge price difference between 1" toppers: 

http://www.sleeplikeabear.com/natural_latex_international_latex-mattress_toppers

http://www.foambymail.com/LatexTQueen.html

Is FoambyMail evil? I have seen them mentioned a lot on this forum. I will do a better search.

I have a 1" soft latex topper from FBM, and it's great. The quality is first-rate. No imperfections at all. And, very reasonably priced.

It gives the cushy feeling I wanted on top of a very firm TP mattress. It also allows my shoulder to sink in more, which not only eliminates shoulder pain and/or arm numbness, but also allows my pillow to better support my head and neck.

It actually may be too soft for you. You may want to opt for their medium, if you still want support, but a little bit of softness. I wanted a lot of cushy softness on top of the firm mattress, to simulate the feeling of sleeping on the floor in Japan, with a soft down "futon" on top of the Tatami mat floor.

This message was modified Jul 25, 2010 by garypen
Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #14 Jul 25, 2010 10:39 AM
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 12
I have to say... I read on this forum somewhere that when you get a firmer mattress, you need a firmer pillow. Last night I slept so much better b/c I swapped my mush pillow (which lined up well with my body on a mush mattress) with a cheap fluff firmer pillow from Target. So much better! My neck/head are so much higher b/c the mattress is firm.

Because the mattress is pretty firm, I wonder if 20 ILD would just let me sink a little to the firmer layer. But now I'll mull over your advice, garypen, as we still haven't ordered. Thanks! 

Re: Almost there... firm mattress a tiny bit too firm... topper advice?
Reply #15 Jul 25, 2010 12:26 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
topperquest wrote:

I have to say... I read on this forum somewhere that when you get a firmer mattress, you need a firmer pillow. Last night I slept so much better b/c I swapped my mush pillow (which lined up well with my body on a mush mattress) with a cheap fluff firmer pillow from Target. So much better! My neck/head are so much higher b/c the mattress is firm.

 

Because the mattress is pretty firm, I wonder if 20 ILD would just let me sink a little to the firmer layer. But now I'll mull over your advice, garypen, as we still haven't ordered. Thanks! 


Yes, you do need a firmer (thicker really) pillow because you don't sink in as far into the mattress.  So, your head is higher above a firmer mattress.  Most neck issues are caused by not having the right pillow.

Remember that 1" in not a whole lot, so the impact of different ILDs is not as great.  If you want something in between, you  might want to consider the 24ILD from rockymountainmattress.  If you just want to add some softness, I think the 20 is okay. 

Everyone is different so it is hard to say.  I like it soft enough to avoid pressure points in side sleeping.  So, I actually have 2" of softer layers (1" memory foam, 1" 19ILD).
 

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