How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Feb 12, 2010 11:53 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
I am debating on taking the latex I have and putting it on my foundation that I used for the Sealy Truform (Tempurpedic copy).  I now have 5 1/2" latex over my spring mattress, how much more do I need if I am 160-165 lbs, 5' 10 1/2" in order not to bottom out?  Did someone say 9" thick before?  I think I may get samples of 44ILD for the base.

Any suggestions?

Amazingly my back hasn't been hurting with 5 1/2" of latex.  Gasp I now that sounds like a lot, but my springs do not give.  What I want to know is why does the hips (side sleeping) feel no pain and comfortable when I initially lay on it, then hours later, pain city.  Am I the only one with this problem?  It seems like all the complaints here for for lower back.  The only time I had that problem (thank goodness) was when the bed was too soft or too hard.

I sometimes wonder if I will ever get this right.  I still remember Eagle2 (I think) posting that sometimes 80% is the best we can do.  Can't remember exactly what he posted, but I had the layering about 80% good and then I messed with it.  Why can't we get this 100%????




This message was modified Feb 12, 2010 by Leo3
Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #1 Feb 13, 2010 12:37 AM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
Of course it will depend on the type of latex and how firm it is.  Right now I am using 2" of 32 ILD and 1" of 24 ILD natural talalay latex over Sealy springs.  I also have about 1 -1.5" wool topper over that.   I would say that combo. is pretty firm and supportive for me.  It is probably slightly too firm, but still pretty good.  Adding 1" seems to make it slightly too soft, but I have not added 1" of anything accept memory foam that I tried.  It is possible that 1" of something firmer might make it slightly better, but I don't know at this point if I am going to chase that if this works.

So for me, 3-4" plus a bit of wool on top.  I am 6'4" 210.  

If you get something pretty comfortable that does not cause pain on a regular basis, then you pretty much have won the game.  100% is probably not achievable because there are too many variables involved and every position you sleep in is slightly different.

By the way, I received the foam from foamonline.  The quality is not that great, but it still might work for me.  I would not say that it is made by Latex International, based on my experience.  At some point soon I will update my mattress surgery thread.

Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #2 Feb 13, 2010 1:36 AM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
sandman wrote

If you get something pretty comfortable that does not cause pain on a regular basis, then you pretty much have won the game.  100% is probably not achievable because there are too many variables involved and every position you sleep in is slightly different.

By the way, I received the foam from foamonline.  The quality is not that great, but it still might work for me.  I would not say that it is made by Latex International, based on my experience.  At some point soon I will update my mattress surgery thread.


I think you are right too many variables and if your back is happy, then your hips are not when you side sleep.  I know I will setup 1/2 of the bed to be super soft for side sleeping, then the other 1/2 would be firm for the back, LOL. Actually I think Lynn has her setup like that, she is lucky.

Will you post pictures of your foamonline pieces?  Are they flawed?  Hopefully they are ILD accurate.

Thanks for the update and info.
This message was modified Feb 13, 2010 by Leo3
Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #3 Feb 13, 2010 2:26 AM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Leo3 wrote:

I sometimes wonder if I will ever get this right.  I still remember Eagle2 (I think) posting that sometimes 80% is the best we can do.  Can't remember exactly what he posted, but I had the layering about 80% good and then I messed with it.  Why can't we get this 100%????





Because many of us have medical issues regarding our backs or bodies, or just have plain old old age, and after doing all this mattress research and having found great alternatives to crappy mattresses, we then expect our wonder mattresses to do something our physicians cannot - make our bodies better and pain free.  It's an unrealistic expectation.
Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #4 Feb 13, 2010 8:28 AM
Joined: Oct 13, 2009
Points: 156
Since no one is answering your original question, I will offer my opinion.   I am 5 ft 10 inches tall and 260 lbs.    I started with 8 inches of "medium" LI latex (ILD unknown) and found that I bottomed out on that setup.    Exchanged it for 8 inches of "firm" (5.5 inches of 40 ILD and 2.5 inches of 32 ILD) which solved the bottoming out issue but was now too HARD.   Then I added 3 inches of 100% natural 24-28 ILD LI latex and find it just about perfect for me.  I am now sleeping on 11 inches of latex plus a little cotton and wool cover on the original mattress.

Since you already have 5.5 inches I would suggest a "base" of firm or extra firm......maybe a 5-6 inch layer.   I suppose you could try 3 inches first since you are lighter than me.  From my experience and what Kimberly has stated, a 36 ILD layer  might be firm enough for most people.   I found 40 ILD to feel like a rock.

Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #5 Feb 13, 2010 12:14 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
i think if you end up putting any more latex in your build you should almost just ditch the springs at some point.  8 inches of quality latex is plenty enough to support just about any body weight without something underneath it.
Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #6 Feb 13, 2010 1:41 PM
Joined: Oct 13, 2009
Points: 156
I assumed he was ditching the springs?    I wouldn't recommend 8-11 inches of latex over springs!
Re: How thick does a latex mattress need to be?
Reply #7 Feb 13, 2010 2:52 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
Thanks for the replies.  Yes, I was going to ditch the springs, and put the latex over my old foundation that I bought for the Tempurpedic copy Sealy Truform.  That foundation probably is just a slab right?

I believe 36ILD might be good then?  40ILD is like a rock Mark said? Now if some of my latex is softer than 36 and I want to put it below the firm layer, won't that make it firmer?  My point is I want flexibility and I think some of the O-stock layers are softer than 36ILD, probably 32.  Can I attach an .mp4 video here?  This shows how springy the latex is that I have, or soft.  I push it down compared to the 24ILD I have, I can see the difference; I think anyone could.

Kimberly I agree with you and Sandman to a point.  My left hip has bursitis, but my right hip was fine to sleep on, now it hurts.  As if it is being beaten with a stick.  Not sure why either.  When I lay on my back (which I hate) my back is fine.  This puzzles me and baffles me.  Is it too soft, is it to hard?????

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