Mattress Forum

I agree, there are many different "softer" toppers from 14 to 28 ILD that could be used as comfort layers from a number of different vendors, including Sleepez and Sleeps Like a Bear who has one of the most variety of toppers that I have seen.  Flobed probably also has them and maybe they would exchange it or give you a discount.

I wouldn't throw out a good mattress when you can easily swap out the comfort layer.

Sleep like a bear has a wide variety and you can return them within in 30 days for most of your money back.

Have you asked Flobeds directly about trying something else?  Usually they are pretty accomdiative, and they might be be able to send you 2" of something.  You probably can return the eggcrate for some money back.

Is it too firm for your husband without the egg crate?  Or what doesn't he like about it without it?

Flobeds didn't have anything else of the right thickness, at least not as of last year when we bought it.  The bed is better for my husband without the topper, but too firm for me.  And the topper is the only layer that joins the two halves of the king bed.  What happens if we use a different topper on each side?

Right now I have a medium zone under my shoulders, topped by the eggcrate foam.  When I had a firm piece in that position my arms fell asleep.  If I switch to a 28 ILD, should I also put a softer piece under my shoulders to compensate for the increased firmness of the top layer?

We did try flipping the eggcrate, but it didn't help - it's still too pillowtoppy.
 

Personally, I would try something softer than 28 under my shoulders but, yes, softer under the shoulders would alleviate the pressure.  Here is a thread on what Custom Sleep Design recommended for this guy in a zoned mattress:  http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-design-custom-sleep-design/16344-0-1.html

Maybe you would want to consider a wool topper. They feel somewhat firm but are resilient. I'd call it supportive but not hard. I have a 3" topper right now and it has made my very aging spring mattress tolerable while I figure out what to do next. You can fluff it up from time to time. I kind of like how it develops an impression around my body, sort of cradling it, so I don't have pressure points. Just a thought. Wool toppers aren't cheap, and most if not all are not returnable, so you'd want to consider carefully. For my money, I like wool. It's breathable, hypoalergenic, reasonably resilient but quite supportive. I've read other posts on this forum from people who found putting a wool topper on top of latex mattress layers made them feel consideably firmer and reduced or eliminated the spongy feeling of latex or other foams underneath..

Yes, I would put softer under the shoulders if you have a firmer topper on top.  At least try it, that is what the flexibilty of the vzone is all about. 

If you use different toppers, then the seam down the middle might be more noticable.  Not sure if that would bother you or not. You can get a sense of what it would be like when you are not using the eggcrate.  It would be nicer to have one piece, but the problem may be making both of you happy with it.  Of course you can try to adjust the lower support levels to compensate.

As Lynn is suggesting, you may want to start with adding just 1".  You can then try folding that in half to see what adding another inch will be like (obviously you can only do that on 1 half at a time). 

Trying a wool topper is also a good idea.  You might be surprised that adding a wool topper or a mattress pad can actually make it feel slightly firmer, especially if it fits tightly.  So, you might want to try putting on a mattress pad if you haven't already.  

Most of us have found that a lot of trial and error is required to get the right combination.