Hi,

Two questions re: talalay latex toppers please.
1.  I am going to purchase a topper for a queen sized bed.  In other forums I've seen Sleep Like a Bear highly recommended for their service (Evelyn there is very helpful) and for selling Latex International product; they charge $339. for a 3" inch queen topper.  In other forums, however, Foam By Mail is often recommended; their queen topper is $239.  Does anyone know who manufactures the FBM latex?  Is the Latex International topper provided by Sleep Like a Bear worth the extra $100?

2. I would appreciate advice on what thickness and ILD topper to purchase to place on top of our too-firm Sterns & Foster mattress.  I'm 5'10" and weigh 145 lbs, my wife is 5'6" and weighs 125 lbs.   I have chronic sacroiliac pain and get pressure points.  We tried a 2" 32 ILD topper which I liked but which made my wife's otherwise healthy back sore, and returned it.  We then bought a 2" 4lb Aerus memory foam topper.  Other than being hot, that worked well for a few months until it started cratering.  We're now thinking of going with a softer Talalay topper.  Evelyn at Sleep Like a Bear recommended a 3" 19 ILD topper, given that we're both light-framed.  Any thoughts from the wise users out there on her recommendation?  Will 19 ILD provide inadequate back support for me?

Thanks for any comments on these questions.

Thanks for the good advice Aaron.  Makes sense.

So the FBM and Latex International are both Talalay?, that would have a softer feel than Dunlop? I just ordered 3" 12-14 ILD dunlop to see. returnable with a small charge/shipping.

FBM is a merchant selling latex. Latex International is a manufacturer that supplies latex to merchants. LI makes both Talalay and Dunlop latex. No one really knows where FBM gets their latex since they are rather cagey about telling you. All the same, people have been pretty happy with the quick turn-around and the latex they have bought from FBM on this forum, so I wouldn't have any qualms about ordering from them.

The general concensus is that Talalay feels softer than Dunlop at the same ILD. It's airier and less dense. But make no mistake. A piece of 44 ILD Talalay is by no means soft. Some people think the floor feels softer.

mingus wrote:
Mingus - Who did you order the 12-14 dunlop from? Please post after you get it and let us know how you like it. I am currently sleeping on 20 ILD talalay and still want something softer so I am thinking of ordering 14 ILD foam from somewhere...

2" #22 ILD is the most popular and for good reason. It works well for anyone under 200lbs. Go all natural talalay if you have the option. It's a little more but well worth the money. Usually around $250

st3v3k4hn wrote:
I ordered it from Fibex and had to send it back - it was firmer than the 16-18 ILD i got from sleepwarehouse. they will charge 25% restock, plus the $60 shipping. Must not be 12-14 ILD..

sleeplikeabear sent me samples of  14/19/24 ILD Talalay. trying to decide which way to go. i do not want to sink through and feel the firmer bottom, but do want soft. $400 for a 3" queen piece on latex??

FBM sent me a 1" piece of their "soft" and it seems too firm to me.

st3v3k4hn wrote:
Any luck? I'm not sure what to do at this point. Confused.

I ordered my  Queen Sized 1" soft Talalay Latex Topper from Brylane Homes and I have been very happy with it. The <1" thick Queen topper from Overstock was too small for my Queen bed and started to fall apart after moving it so much when I was trying out the latex core layers. 

Phalse wrote:
Where did you get your 19 ILD? how heavy are you and do you side sleep? 

Still looking for the best place to buy. ratings do vary greatly, and if they charge a restock fee and shipping both ways to try,  it can get quite expensive.

sleeplikeabear did send me three 3" samples: 14/19/24. the 24 is similar to what i have, maybe just a tad softer. the 19 is very soft, i'm tempted to try that, but think i may go through it to the hard bottom latex mattress.

FBM sample of their soft was harder than i though it would be.

What are the best vendors to use?

19 ILD Talatech is pretty close, I think i need more like 5" tho, well see...

mingus = 6' average build 183lbs. side sleeper at times.