Mattress Topper for short money?

[lookingnow]

I'm a stomach (mostly) and side sleeper.

I have a brand new Simmons Firm 700 coil count, 15.5 gauge mattress. hopefully it will soften up although I am only 130 lbs.
The thing is like sleeping on a cement slab. But at least I can build it up. I need the firmness for the stomach sleeping.
Looking for as low-cost as possible a topper solution so my lungs and ribcage don't hurt when stomach sleeping and so I can do some side sleeping. Want to soften it up somewhat.
i have a 1.5" memory foam topper on it with decent density but it's not enough. I am bottoming out somewhat right back onto the hardness of the new mattress. Also the chemical smell from the topper although aired out outdoors for a week and has off-gassed somewhat - is horrible for me (I have a chemical sensitivity) and I'm not crazy about the heat issue of it either.
My thought was to buy a gel topper (any ideas or recommendations?) Would this make the bed firmer though - or softer?
I could also try a better - but used - memory foam topper on Craigslist (say what you will about used stuff - I have few options here I believe!) and I could air it out as well. I do find that putting a towel iver the topper dimishes the smell somewhat.

 

[lookingnow]

Two things I found used on Craigslist that are almost new. If appreciate any opinions:

Kolbs Gel Overlay (selling for $75)

http://www.medline.com/product/Gel/Foam-Mattress-Overlays/Overlays/Z05-PF05735

SensorGel 1.5" Topper

http://m.macys.com/shop/product/sensorgel-bedding-gel-15-king-mattress-topper?ID=738586

 

[sandman]

You probably need to add another inch or 2 of foam. Could be memory foam or soft latex.
What size mattress? If large enough, you can try folding your MF topper in half, to see what 3" will feel like.
I am not convinced gel is that different from reg MF, but would depend on construction. Adding it should not make mattress firmer.
1" is hard to find, but overstock .com might have some. Maybe eBay.
You can also try extra thick mattress pads. Costco has some that should add a little comfort. Costco also has some MF, but usually not 1"

 

[lookingnow]

Sandman
thanks for your reply. Only the Kolbs is still available and I think it would be better than MF for me because of my cchemical sensitivity. I just can't use my memory foam topper, the smell is too bad. This is why I have to buy used ones.
any opinion on the Kolbs gel topper? Is it a real mattress topper? Would you mind looking at the link?
thanks

 

[sandman]

I looked at it and it is hard to get a sense of what it really is made of. The vinyl cover seems like it would not breath and be hot.
I have never tried a gel topper, so I don't have an opinion on them. Could have a good feel.
I once tried a gel infused memory foam topper from costco, and it felt and smelled pretty much like regular MF. So, in that case, I concluded the gel was pretty much a gimick.
Ideally try to find something you can try and smell first, or at least return.
i have found the smell of MF bothersome, but not after a couple of weeks.

 

[lookingnow]

Thanks.
I would only do a very good Gel/Foam topper. As for this all-Gel one, I am going to call the company tomorrow and see if it is just for disabled folks etc or if it can be a plain topper.

 

[sandman]

If they are on craigslist, can you go check them out before buying? You would at least get some sense of feel and smell.

 

[charnlar]

I might also suggest that two of the most often spoken critiques of MF are the heat issue and the offgassing issue. Yes, you can buy more, thicker or whatever MF, but that solves neither of these problems. I have been looking at the purchase of a latex bed, and the only solution my research has come up with is that you might get around both these issues with 2-3 inches of latex foam. And to that point, pure organic latex is purported to have little if any offgassing, and has better "shelf life" than a mixture of organic and man-made latex. There are a number of websites which sell 100% latex toppers, and depending on what your budget is (RE: "for short money") that may be a solution.
I am also trying to field whether, based on this forum, the MF option leads more to the collection of moisture and propagation of mold. Since my wife is also chemical sensitive, even the chance of mold problems would probably keep my from gambling on a MF option. I am sure someone in the group will correct me if I am way off base.