Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Jan 8, 2008 4:27 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
Hi, We have a new innerspring mattress (probably firm plush) that has good support but is a little too firm for me. I am a side sleeper and am still feeling a soreness in my hips. We also have a Natura wool and cotton mattress pad (looks a little like sheepskin). My question is: would one inch of latex under the wool pad add enough cushion to relieve the pressure point in my hips? And would 32 ILD be the right firmness or should I go a little softer? OR... do I really need 2 inches (and what density)? I'm afraid of it being TOO cushy as right now we are using a 2 inch memory foam topper that I think is not very good quality as I end up in a sink hole by the morning with my back just killing me. I am 5 foot 7 and 130 pounds. Also recommendations for the most reputable company and one with best customer service that sells such toppers. Sorry -- I know this issue has been discussed before, but I still have questions. Thanks in anticipation.
This message was modified Jan 9, 2008 by kimmcgov
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #2 Jan 9, 2008 8:51 AM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
How much cushy stuff do you think is built in to your mattress?  I think plush usually has 1-2" of cush built in.

I think most side sleepers usually end up with 3-4" of total cushiness on top of their firm support.  That would be a reasonable goal for you.

I think 32 ILD will feel too firm for you.  I would shoot for the low to mid 20s with ILD as a guesstimate for your height & weight.  Maybe someone else will offer their opinion too.

I'm not sure about a reputable company with good customer service who sells latex.  I hope you find one, because I am always looking for that myself.  I have used:  memoryfoam.com, foambymail.com, and foamsource.com  Of the three, I think foamsource.com was the best that I dealt with.

Good luck.

Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #3 Jan 9, 2008 5:04 PM
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 361
Another company I have used is www.monstermattress.com

I think a 22ild 1 inch might do the trick myself.

Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #4 Jan 9, 2008 7:22 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
Well, this mattress has a couple of inches of cush on top in Eurotop form, so I guess I need one or two more inches . I did look at monster mattress and their 1 inch Talalay topper only comes in 14 ILD while the 2 inch only comes in 28 ILD. 14 definitely sounds too soft. Would 28 be still too firm? I have also seen Talatech latex online. Is there going to be a different feel with the same ILD in Talalay vs. Talatech?
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #5 Jan 9, 2008 8:08 PM
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: Dec 28, 2007
Points: 83
This seller - Sleep Like a Bear - has a lot of choices in Latex toppers. I don't have any experience with them but they do have a good rating on eBay. They seem to have reasonable prices and free shipping.

http://sleeplikeabear.com/talalay_latex_toppers.html

On eBay:
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=trufoxybear&&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller&sspagename=VIP:feedback:2:us&iid=160193400730

Talatech is the brand name for Latex International's blended Talalay. Talatech is high quality, American made, blended Talalay.

http://www.latexinternational.com/index.php?did=10
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #6 Jan 10, 2008 12:11 PM
Joined: Sep 10, 2007
Points: 395
I ordered/received 3" Talatech topper from sleeplikeabear and all went well. Prices in the same ballpark as foamsource and a couple of others, and it is Talatech (latex international). They have many ILDs and thicknesses, which is advantageous.
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #7 Jan 10, 2008 2:32 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
Thanks so much for everyone's input. I'm especially confused by the ILDs and how different retailers present them. For example Sleepwarehouse has a 26 ILD latex topper that they call medium firm, while a 24 ILD topper from SleeplikeaBear is labeled Plush. They sound worlds apart for only a couple of density points difference. Also I e-mail FloBeds and they sell their 2 inch convoluted latex topper which they say is about 14 ILD. Sounds really soft --anyone have an opinion? I want to get this right the first time (and have that sleeping on a cloud feeling) as I know packaging one of these things up and mailing it back is going to be a huge pain (not to mention cost).
This message was modified Jan 10, 2008 by kimmcgov
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #8 Jan 10, 2008 5:15 PM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
Latex International's talalay ranges from 14 ILD to 44 ILD

I have slept on 44 ILD, 36 ILD, 32 ILD, & 14 ILD

44 is very firm.  Too firm to sleep on by itself.

36 is firm.  I would only sleep on this if I were a stomach only sleeper.

32 ILD is medium/firm  It is OK for back sleeping, and good for stomach sleeping.

14 ILD is very soft.  It is like sleeping in a cloud.

I think you want something between 14 & 32 for side sleeping.  My guess is that 24 ILD might be a good balance between softness and support for you.

Good luck.

Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #9 Jan 10, 2008 6:03 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
Seems like I should go for somewhere in the 24 or 26 ILD range then. The companies that have this choice of firmness seem to be Sleeplikeabear.com and FoamSource. Can anyone tell me the difference (feel) between the blended Talatech latex and the 100% Talatech latex sold by foamsource.com? The blended is rated 24 ILD while the 100% natural is rated 22 - 26 ILD. The difference in price is only $30.00. Sleeplikeabear doesn't say on their website if their foam is a blend or not. Choices, choices...
Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #10 Jan 11, 2008 8:29 AM
Location: Mequon, WI
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 363
The blended and 100% natural talalay are very similar products.  I own both, and my next purchase will be blended.  Blended has a longer warranty by the manufacturer.  It also has less of a smell.  I also like the feel better.  The 100% natural feels more like I am sleeping on Jello.

I would think sleeplikeabear.com is a blended talalay.  The 100% natural would be mentioned to attract certain types of people, if they had it.  The 100% natural is also more rare since it is made in lower quantities compared to the blended.

Re: Topper: Is 1 inch Latex enough?
Reply #11 Jan 11, 2008 2:28 PM
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Points: 111
Thanks for all the great information Meqonjim. In my quest for information (I'm asking EVERYBODY), I called Shawn at Sleepez. What a great guy. No hard sell there - he even suggested I call Flobeds to see what options they might have! Anyway, he can get me a 1.5 inch Talatech (from LI) topper in a 20-22 ILD which he thought would be great combined with my wool pad. It's softer though that the 24 - 26 ILD that folks here have suggested. So it's Shawn's suggestion vs. a 2 inch Talatech topper in 24 ILD from Sleeplikeabear. 1 inch is probably not going to be enough thickness, so I think I'm abandoning that option...