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Hello,
I'v been researching latex mattresses wanting to get away for regular coil one. A bit of history, we currently have Queen Simmons Burdock plush mattress, which is a bit on a firm side. There is nothing wrong with it and we've been getting a good sleep on it for years, but latex mattresses advantages have attracted me almost instantly. I've searched many sites for best deals and stumbled upon Sleep EZ where I ordered initially natural Dunlop 6" special, but quickly changed it Talalay blend Sleep EZ 8500 model. When the sales guy called I asked him what's recommended firmness and he gave me the same suggestion as to everyone else XF, F, S, but I decided to go with Medium for top layer). I am 175 pounds 5'9" and my wife is 125 pound 5'5" (she is also 20 weeks pregnant). We are both side sleepers. Last night was our first experience with latex. When I initially laid on it, it felt the same firmness as our regular coil mattress, although my wife said it felt a bit softer. I fall asleep fairly quickly, although I woke up middle of the night feeling hot and my arm getting a bit numb. We have micathermic heater about 3 feet from the mattress that's set to keep 69 degree temperature at night and apparently it warmed the mattress. I turned the heater off, opened window and went online to search about temperature dissipation of the latex and only found positive results. About 30 minutes of letting mattress to cool down down a bit and I was able to fall asleep just fine. The rest of the night I slept fine and woke up only at the sound of the alarm, but the problem was I felt sore in my neck and back and my wife also experienced sore back. That rarely happens even sleeping in cheap coil mattresses in hotels. I am a bit disappointed, but hoping that there is a solution to this. So, my question here Is there a "getting used" period with latex? I am also considering removing medium layer and getting 2" Wool topper, in order to get a bit more firmness, but slight plush at the top. This message was modified Jan 31, 2011 by klas
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I am planning some field testing tomorrow, so this list will be extra helpful! Btw, which place would you recommend for comparative testing to SleepEZ 3" layers combinations? Also, I am just trying to see if I can stick with 8500 model. XF seems to be playing a role of box spring which we already have, so thought about getting M over F would give us more support with 1.5 layer of S to soften things up. This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by klas
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I would go to bedroomsandmore and seattlemattress. Both of them have a range of mattresses that would give you what you need for testing. At this point, I would limit my testing to helping you decide what you need in the top 2 or 3" of a mattress. Lay on each one with an eye to finding out what gives you the best pressure relief and for tomorrow forget about "support". It is the comfort layers that are the most important for now. I would focus on mattresses there with 2" and 3" of "softer" over firm support. You could also test other combinations as well using their recommendations based on your feedback. They are both knowledgeable and helpful and know the mattress constructions they have in the store. A latex mattress (or any all foam mattress) generally needs a firm preferably slatted foundation and doesn't do too well on a boxspring. You are risking hammocking (back pain) on a box spring.regardless of what layers are over it. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by Phoenix
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Field testing was a success this time.
1st store we visited was Seattle Mattress company. They had variety of latex mattresses and the salesperson gave us a lot of information and told us IDL rating for each mattress we tried. We compared Talalay firm mattress with IDL 36 and Medium with 28". Both were 6" mattresses and Medium felt the best to us. We also tried it with 3" soft top with IDL 19, but it was way too soft. Price wise they were selling 6" for 1275" + tax, which is not that much more expensive then SZ. Second stop was at Bedrooms and More. The sales person was very friendly and spent considerable amount of time showing and talking about latex. Their Englander line seems to use only Dunlop. The model we tried was the most popular and had 6" of Dunlop layer at the bottom with 2" soft layer and wool on top. It felt great and we both liked it. I asked him what IDL layers it had and he didn't know. Also, I asked him about durability and he told us a story how synthetic blend talalay was less durable then a 100% natural. So, I am going to take chances and exchange our XF layer with M and get 2" wool topper locally to try it out. As far as foundation goes, I'll probably either replace it or get a piece of plywood. Thank you for all the recommendations! I'll update once I get a new layer to try out with a topper. This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by klas
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Way to go on your testing. Your "preference" in each store is a bit "conflicting" though (at least in how you are "interpreting" it). The "soft over medium" at seattle mattress may have felt "too soft" but I doubt it was the "upper layer" because otherwise you wouldn't have liked the "soft latex over firm dunlop" at bedrooms and more. I would look carefully at "why" you liked the mattresses you did before making decisions. The casing at seattlemattress is also nice and stretchy but I would look carefully at the seams ... we (my other half who notices stuff like that more) noticed it was fraying in a couple of spots and said she didn't think it was "well constructed". bedroomsandmore also has Natura, OMI, and their own "layers" which would be a better testing ground than the Englanders (although the englanders there don't have poly on top). The son of the owner there is the most knowledgeable. What they told you about Talalay regarding durability is just not correct. The price at seattlemattress is almost double what is available online ... not counting tax. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by Phoenix
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I should correct myself that 3" of IDL 19 latex seemed too cushy with either medium or firm bottom vs 2" wool topper with latex over firm. Medium IDL 28 by itself felt good though which might be just enough for us.
We tried bedroomsandmore "layers" as well, but all they sell is Dunlop there. I am also trying to find online that 2" wool topper with latex they used which I really liked. Forgot to ask what brand it was. It was $550 for Queen.
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It was probably one of these Phoenix |
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Although the picture make it look like it's thin I think this was it http://www.bedroomsandmore.com/images/products/toppers/englander-latex-wool-mattress-topper.htm Which I think is a too much $$$ for just the topper. This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by klas
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What you would end up with by exchanging the Xfirm with a medium and adding a "softer" topper would be (from bottom up) is 3" firm (38-40 ILD) under medium (30 - 32 ILD) under 1.5" soft (22-24) under 2" "soft dunlop" Englander @26 ILD. I would be worried that your upper 6.5" is too soft for you (given your feedback) and you could "sink down" too far for proper alignment. The Dunlop 26 ILD Englander topper may also not be ideal over softer talalay in terms of pressure relief either in your top layer (less cradling) and a 2" Natura soft talalay topper with wool (or a similar online purchase to this) may work better. This layering is closer to the mattresses you "didn't like" (in the support layers especially) than the one you did. It may also "aggravate" the issues (seemingly pressure related) you posted about in your original posts (not sinking in far enough on your side and numbness). The fact that you liked 2" of softer over firmer support layers (the 6" Dunlop would be similar to what you have now) also indicates that going softer on top and remaining firm underneath may also work better. One of the most common mistakes is trying to make a mattress "feel" softer by changing the support layers instead of the comfort layers. I would personally test a 2" and 3" Natura (or non natura equivalent) over a firm Dunlop and lay on them for a while in all your sleeping positions (10 "relaxed" minutes each) to see how they felt before making an actual exchange. Having said all that ... no matter what i may believe ... let your experience be the guide. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 26, 2010 by Phoenix
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| Last night we finally got our Medium layer and configured our mattress Firm - Medium - 1.5 Medium. I slept considerably better this time and the morning I woke up without any back/neck pain, but my shoulder was sore. My wife said she slept good and did not have any issues in the morning. We'll give it more time obviously, but I am still concerned that it might be too firm at the bottom layer... |
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I thought you had changed out your original medium 1.5" layer of medium (Reply #9)?. Did you exchange it for another 1.5" medium and then decide to change a 3" core layer? Seems to me the problem is too firm and thin on top ... softening up the bottom layers could well add support issues to the existing pressure issues. Phoenix |