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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
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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. |
| 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... |
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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. |
| 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... |
| I tried a 2 inch 26 ILD on top of a very firm mattress and it was too soft. |
| I found out a 2" soft topper is too soft for me. A 1" soft topper is comfortable to me only over very very firm latex cores. I think 3/4" is the best size for me but I am living with the 1" Talaly latex topper I got from Brylanes Homes right now over my FloBed very firm and super firm latex cores. The topper that came with my Flobed latex kit was 2" and too soft for me. |
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Kim you're right to worry about adding too much cushiness. Your mattress already has built in foam layers. Adding more can undermine support and give you a backache-- exactly what you are experiencing with the 2" of memory foam. My "luxury firm" mattress was lacking in cushiness but putting 2" of memory foam on top only gave me a backache. 1" worked just fine though, Just enough... not too much. I have the 1" Brylane topper Lynn mentioned. I estimate it's probably a 26-28. It's not particularly cushy compared to the much softer memory foam. But I do like it under the visco, since it seems to add a level of support and resilience the visco alone lacks, but I prefer a softer foam directly under my body. If your objective is to relieve pressure points, you'd probably be better off with something like a 24, or if you like a really soft topper a 20, and I would stick with the 1" especially if you're using a wool topper besides. You can alway add another layer, but there's nothing you can do if the foam is too thick to begin with--except return it. And since hitting it just right might require a bit of tweaking make sure you can return or exchange it if necessary without incurring a restocking fee. |
| FloBeds had sent me a 1.5" soft latex topper and it was too thick for me not supporting my back. I had to send it back. Dave at FloBeds tried to help me find a topper that would work for me. I can't handle more than 1" of a latex topper over my firm latex bed. |
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I think it depends on the individual, but in general I would think that 2" COULD be too much for a very soft topper. Maybe if the latex is 24 ILD or above it might be okay, but softer than that your back will probably sink too much. Memory foam - unless it's VERY firm memory foam - is almost always going to be too soft for a 2" topper in my opinion. A good 24 ILD or so latex topper might be enough to relieve the pressure points under your back. It's good that your mattress is too FIRM and not TOO SOFT. That allows you to adjust it to your liking. If ti's too soft then your only hope is to get rid of it or do surgery on it. You might try one of the JC Penny Olmifon (?) or whatever it is toppers which are about 1.5 inches and pretty firm. I'm using that AND a 1" latex topper and that is not too soft for me because the JCP topper is not that soft. |
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This is something I posted a while ago and which just got resurrected for some reason. I DID figure things out. We are using the Brylane 1 inch latex topper that a few other people here have and it feels just right. I had a hard time initially believing that one inch (of latex) would be enough, but it adds just that little extra cushion without causing us to sink in too much. Again thanks to everyone for all of the great advice and sharing your experiences... |