Brylane Latex Topper
Feb 2, 2008 4:36 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 793
I love everything about my latex bed so far but wish I had a 1.25" soft topper. I love my 1" Overstock Topper but it is not that sturdy and is falling apart and is a little small for the bed. I have been reading about this sale only good until Monday. Those that have the Brylane 1" latex topper, do you think the ILD is softer than the Overstock or the same? What do you think the ILD is? Is it man-made latex, blended latex or natural latex do you think?  Do you have any idea if this is Dunlap latex processing, Talalay latex processing or neither?  Does the latex topper fit the size of the mattress or is it a little small like the Overstock topper that is a little short on all sides?  Does the topper have a smell when it arrives and if it does, how long does it take to go away?  IS there one big piece for the Queen or King size or it the topper glued? 

I am still not sure since it is 1" and not 1.25" or 1.5" but maybe until I have time to call Dave to see if he can find me a softer latex topper than the 1.2" he got me that is wonderful but the 24 ILD seems to squishy to me and I do not sink in enough to feel the very firm support underneath that I love unless I put a 44 ILD under it and then it is too hard but still squishy. Then I go back to my 1" topper with the 36 ILD over the 39 ILD over the 44 ILD and feel this is very comfortable and I can live with this and rather err on the firm side than too soft due to my car accident causing the 5 herniated disks. I really think about a 17 to 20 ILD over a 38 ILD (if there is a 36 ILD that averages higher) over the 39 ILD over the 44 ILD would be best for me in about 1.25" thickness but I doubt if anything like this is made.  :) 

I like that there is only a tiny fee to return it if it is not what I want. I wish the sale was for another week since I want to call Dave first and see if he has any ideas.

Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #84 Feb 19, 2008 5:30 AM
Joined: Sep 7, 2007
Points: 476
Kim, the problem is that most commericially available toppers are soft because people generally are trying to make a hard or lumpy bed softer and more comfy. If you're looking for a firm topper you'll probably have to try one of the specialty stores that carry latex or HR foams in a variety of ILDs.

By the way I was playing with the Brylane topper again today and I've reassessed my opinion that tripled up it felt more like a 30-32. Now I think it's a bit softer than that. Maybe more like a 26-28.

Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #85 Feb 19, 2008 7:59 AM
Joined: Sep 10, 2007
Points: 395
It might be better to stop thinking too much about the ILD on the Brylanes. Assuming they were all manufactured for the bun to hit a single ILD # (say around 25) the area variation for the 1" slices probably could be anywhere from 18 to 36 (While that's a WAG, standard on a 6" slab is +/- 3, or more, so variation should really increase when sliced so thin ). They are a good deal for what probably can best be described on average as medium/medium-soft.
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #86 Feb 19, 2008 3:48 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
cloud9 wrote:
the problem is that most commericially available toppers are soft because people generally are trying to make a hard or lumpy bed softer and more comfy. If you're looking for a firm topper you'll probably have to try one of the specialty stores that carry latex or HR foams in a variety of ILDs.

Yes, that's a good point. I was coming to the same conclusion myself. I have just been afraid of ordering something from the specialty foam stores online since returning it will not be as easy as Brylane and Penney's make it. Most of the foam sources SAY you can return a topper, but the fine print reads that it has to be in the same box (into which the foam was vacuum-packed in the first place) and in pristine condition. I would have to pay return shipping and in some cases the original shipping (if it was free) as well as a restocking fee. That's IF I could get it back in the package without damaging it...

2 inches of latex (in queen size) runs around $250 on average and not having enough experience to know if, 28 ILD vs. 32 ILD will be too firm or soft or just right, it seems too risky to buy one online. I might end up going to our local foam store, which unfortunately doesn't carry latex, and buying some good quality HR foam.
This message was modified Feb 19, 2008 by kimmcgov
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #87 Feb 19, 2008 4:03 PM
Joined: Sep 10, 2007
Points: 690
LOL. You're right! I was just going to write here how lately my bed is feeling so good. Not sure why! And, last night was even better. We had spent two nights in a hotel this past weekend and the bed was HARD! At least it wasn't sagging like some do. But, I woke up with a stiff neck the first day and back pain the next. Last night I slept in my own bed and I never experienced such a good sleep. In fact, it cured my pain from the previous two nights at the hotel..

I still haven't taken the Dream Coil topper out of the bag. I'll probably keep it, though. I like that it's lifetime guaranteed and not supposed to go flat. I might find that I like the feel better than latex or memory foam.



cloud9 wrote:
I'm looking forward to your report on the Dream Coil topper, although I have to wonder why you want to add something new when it seems like you've got the bed configured just right. Hope you had a fun weekend away!
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #88 Feb 20, 2008 5:33 AM
Joined: Sep 7, 2007
Points: 476
kimmcgov wrote:
2 inches of latex (in queen size) runs around $250 on average and not having enough experience to know if, 28 ILD vs. 32 ILD will be too firm or soft or just right, it seems too risky to buy one online. I might end up going to our local foam store, which unfortunately doesn't carry latex, and buying some good quality HR foam.

Kim, I hear you. Much as I would like a Dunlop topper after the whole SleepEZ fiasco I'm reluctant to buy anything I can't try out in person first. All those stipulations and whatnot. Forget it! I only took a chance on the Brylane topper because it was a great price, no hassle and exactly the thickness I wanted.

I think you may actually like HR foam better than latex. It's nice and stable feeling. No jiggles and very supportive. But if you're trying to firm up your bed by using it as a topper, 2" may be too much. The thicker it gets the less flexible and you don't want it buckling up under your sheets. I find a half inch works best for me. I wouldn't go over 1".

Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #89 Feb 20, 2008 5:42 AM
Joined: Sep 7, 2007
Points: 476
BeddyBye wrote:
LOL. You're right! I was just going to write here how lately my bed is feeling so good. Not sure why! And, last night was even better. We had spent two nights in a hotel this past weekend and the bed was HARD! At least it wasn't sagging like some do. But, I woke up with a stiff neck the first day and back pain the next. Last night I slept in my own bed and I never experienced such a good sleep. In fact, it cured my pain from the previous two nights at the hotel..

Sounds like you've finally hit on something that works! What's your combination of materials now?

I had to laugh at the description of your hotel bed, I think I must have stayed at the same hotel. If I'm driving I usually bring my own pillow--cause boy do I hate those polyfil things you usually find in hotels. And if I'm flying I ask for a feather pillow at the desk. Sometimes they have one if I'm lucky. And sometimes I have a stiff neck if I'm not.  Hope you had a good time anyway!

Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #90 Feb 20, 2008 5:57 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 793
When I used to do Internal Auditing years ago and had to sleep in hotels, I always packed my own 100% natural latex pillow since I could not sleep on those awful pillows in the hotel room. 

So far I like the 1" Bylane Talalay Latex Topper since I have it over a 36 ILD Natural Latex Core, over a 39 ILD Natural Latex Core over a 44 ILD Blended Latex Core over the Flobed Pine Slatbox. 

I sink down and feel the firmness underneath which gives me great support while getting a little cushion. I still wish my hips had just a little more firmness but my shoulders can't handle the latex any firmer or I move around too much at night like I used to before getting a latex bed. I wish my latex core underneath me was a 36 ILD for my shoulders and head with the 1" topper and on my lower back and hips, a 1" soft topper over a 40 ILD.  I am thinking of cutting one of my latex cores to make it zoned. But for now, I am happy with the set up better than I had since the car accident when my back requirements changed.  I also wake up with no allergies so that I am blessed.

This message was modified Feb 20, 2008 by Lynn2006
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #91 Feb 21, 2008 1:16 AM
Joined: Sep 10, 2007
Points: 690
My combination of materials are the same as always. No foam TOPPERS, though. And, I would say that my set-up is on the medium-firm-plush side. The Costco CuddleBed fiber topper gives it just enough down-like cushion without being so deep that it causes me to sink in. I like that the baffled boxes are small giving it a tighter feel. One thing I didn't like about my regular fiberbed and featherbed were those large baffled squares. Too mushy and the fiber/down felt like it was all over the place.

The firm and medium latex layers over the firm HR PU foam and LuraFlex coils give me the support my back craves. So, all in all, it seems to be working....for NOW, at least. :)

*******************************************************************

cloud9 wrote:
Sounds like you've finally hit on something that works! What's your combination of materials now?</p><p>I had to laugh at the description of your hotel bed, I think I must have stayed at the same hotel. If I'm driving I usually bring my own pillow--cause boy do I hate those polyfil things you usually find in hotels. And if I'm flying I ask for a feather pillow at the desk. Sometimes they have one if I'm lucky. And sometimes I have a stiff neck if I'm not. Hope you had a good time anyway!
This message was modified Feb 21, 2008 by BeddyBye
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #92 Feb 21, 2008 12:31 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
cloud9 wrote:
But if you're trying to firm up your bed by using it as a topper, 2&quot; may be too much. The thicker it gets the less flexible and you don't want it buckling up under your sheets. I find a half inch works best for me. I wouldn't go over 1&quot;.

It's not so much a question of firming up the bed, as it is an issue of not having it be too soft. Sleeping on the mattress as is, my hips get pressure points. But there is enough cush in the top of the mattress to make the addition of too soft a layer hurt my back. It seems like such a fine line.

My other thought about a topper is that it will hopefully protect the mattress somewhat from body impressions. I can only imagine that the foam used in this mattress is the usual cheap stuff engineered to break down in no time.

A topper can bear the brunt of our weight and maybe help the mattress last longer. I am thinking a couple of thin layers of foam: one firm and one a little softer might do the trick. Is it easy to find half inch thick foam?

How about a half inch of latex? Does anyone sell that?
Re: Brylane Latex Topper
Reply #93 Feb 21, 2008 11:47 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
kimmcgov wrote:
It's not so much a question of firming up the bed, as it is an issue of not having it be too soft. Sleeping on the mattress as is, my hips get pressure points. But there is enough cush in the top of the mattress to make the addition of too soft a layer hurt my back. It seems like such a fine line.

My other thought about a topper is that it will hopefully protect the mattress somewhat from body impressions. I can only imagine that the foam used in this mattress is the usual cheap stuff engineered to break down in no time.

A topper can bear the brunt of our weight and maybe help the mattress last longer. I am thinking a couple of thin layers of foam: one firm and one a little softer might do the trick. Is it easy to find half inch thick foam?

How about a half inch of latex? Does anyone sell that?


I dont know who sells 1/2" latex but 3/4" Talalay does exist. We found 2 of them at our foam distributors several years ago and bought them for about $20 each (yeah, I know - we got a bargain!) Some of the foam places on the net do custom cut latex. I like buying 2x 3/4" for example instead of one x 1-and-1/2" - it gives you more options.

If you dig around enough on the net you can probably find it. Better yet, look for a foam distributor or furniture factory at a big city near you and see if they can get it for you.

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