One word.
PUSHBACK. Yes latex pushes back against your body and there are many people who don't find that comfortable. Imagine sleeping on a surface that is pushing back against you all night. I hate to say this but that would not be a comfortable feeling. In fact that creates pressure. So Latex does not lead to pressure point relief. This message was modified Mar 31, 2011 by xyz1ab
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Phoebe2011, I would definitely go with a Flobeds in your situation. If you could send a piece of your mattress to flobeds with the info from the Tag or whatever you have on it, then they could probably approximate the feel you want. Flobeds will a) give you the chance to try it with various combinations of firmnesses, and b) will give you a refund minus shipping if you return it (Check their current policy, that's how it was a few years ago last time I checked). Go to http://www.flobeds.com/latex/index.htm . I bought my latex at various places and created my own mattress but if you want an all latex mattress with no springs then I recommend flobeds, especially since you are concerned about spending money and ending up with an "albatross". |
Push back for latex is a term created by poly foam manufactures to make their foam sound better and is just simply a false statement. A way to test it. Take memory foam of 30ILD and take latex of 30ILD and apply 30 pounds per sq inch of pressure. If they both sink 1" then they have the same pushback. |
I still LOVE my Flobed Latex Kit mattress with three split layers of XFirm over XFirm over Super Firm that I put a 1" soft topper over. It looks like a real mattress with the zippered cover and my all natural latex pillows also make my sleep enjoyable. I wish I had found out about this bed years ago. I do not feel any push back from my bed and to me it the the most comfortable bed. But I did get frustrated trying out the layers and finally getting it right but now I see it was well worth it. I also like the fact that if I met someone who would like his side less firm, I can buy a new latex layers since I have had my bed now since May 2007. The XFirm layers and the topper is 100% natural Talalay Latex but the Super Firm latex cores are blended Talalay Latex. I have terrible allergies and have had no problems with my bed. |
Just to let anyone reading this know, Latex International now makes the super firm in 100% natural talalay. I just ordered my new flobed with a layer of super firm in 100% natural. |
Why Latex does not work for people... 1. they cover their latex with too much junk 2. assume latex is a magical foam that lasts forever 3. get too soft/firm latex without enough support/conformation I get what the OP's talking about re: "pushback" though. It's definitely a different sensation than with other foams, especially memory foam. For instance one's shoulders & hips might find the same depth in two given latex & MF layers, but the foam in between the shoulder & hip points that "rises" into the curve of your body will feel different- all MF needs to soften is exposure to heat, so if you sink just enough for the arch of your back to just touch that foam in between, you won't feel that same bubble like pressure into the arch of your back the same way you might with some latex, even if your hips & shoulders are sinking the same amount. Latex does not back down from heat alone. Not everyone likes that sensation, but it can be controlled with the right firmness or gradations of firmness, without losing its support. I do like that bubble of pressure sensation though. It's exactly the type of support I find my back needs.
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Megalops, thank you for letting me know! When I ordered my bed, you had to buy the Super Firm in the blended. I like a very firm bed with just enough give and cushion and that is what my current bed is. I can't wait to hear updates on your latex bed! |
This message was modified Feb 13, 2012 by roy1
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Like everything else, it's a matter of personal preference. I like a very soft latex foam as my top layer because my hip and shoulder are cushioned by the softness and allowed to sink in, but when I switch positions, the latex immediately bounces back to support me in my new position. Memory foam would hold its old indentation too long, so that when I switched from my side to my back, there would still be an indentation under the small of my back where I actually needed support. Having tried both, I prefer latex, but soft latex. |
exactly. tempurpedics have this problem too hence lack of support. Pressure relief yes but support no. IN latex it is opposite. Support yes BUT pressure relief - I say no. I also say that latex pushback is in fact counter to pressure relief. hence the conundrum. tempurpedics and latex have big disadvantages. |