In the market for a mattress and trying to understand the options.  Memory Foam and Latex were basically non-existent in the market when I last bought a mattress.  Yes, it's probably long over due for replacement.

Visited a nearby mattress store whose selection was primarily S/S/S . . . With the caveat that my back was bothering me today (occasional, but not typical) the mattress that felt best to me in the store was a Simmons World Class Corita Extra Firm with a Comfort Level Rating of 2.  

Mattresses with memory foam as the primary material are more or less out due to heat retention concerns, can't stand being too warm when I sleep.

Interested in Latex, possibly even DIY.  Is any Latex mattress going to provide a similar feel to an Extra Firm Coil Spring mattress?  Or is it going to be supportive, yet different.  The store didn't have any foam (memory or latex) mattresses that came close to the Extra Firm one.  All very soft.

Latex questions, I contacted one latex reseller on their suggestions for latex layering.  I'm a 42 year old male, 6'1", 300# (but losing), used to sleep on my front, but have switched to back or side due to using a CPAP machine with a mask.

The reseller suggested that Talalay would not last long up with my weight and that Dunlop would be a better choice.

Does the density of talalay vs dunlop really change it's ability to support a given weight if they have the same ILD rating?

Does Dunlop feel firmer than Talalay even if it has the same ILD rating?

Another plus on the DIY I like is the possibility of making each side of a King different, and the abiltiy to break the mattess down into smaller pieces when moving it.  Are there any issues with the center when building a mattress with splits bottom to top as long as it's in a good cover?  Or is at least one full layer on the top, whether it's foam or another topper?

Open to suggestions from your past experiences. 

 

 

I don't have that many answers but there are some threads that you might want to read:  http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-quest-new-mattress/16650-A-1.html

http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/latex-foam-search/18334-A-1.html

http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/my-foambymail-diy-mattress-report-pictures/19412-0-1.html

and then this really long one if you have some time:   http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/overstuffing-mattress-case-foam-layers/16508-A-1.html

I'm a firm believer in latex but don't know many of the answers you seek.   You could also do a search for the State or city you live in to find locations that may have latex mattresses to try out.

We used to have a king size bed but opted for 2 XL twins instead so each of us can have the comfort we want.  Many here have done the same.

Remember that a half hour in the store doesn't make a mattress comfortable all night or even one year later.  Many of the folks here have been through the "S" brand mattresses without success....and that's why they are here.  There is so much information here but it can be difficult to sift through it all.

Good luck with your search.

I've very happy with my all Dunlop 10" Savvy Rest latex mattress.  It consider it pretty firm and I have three layers of Firm, Medium, Soft.  I can't imagine what three layers of FFF would be like.  I found Talalay too soft for my tastes.  You should do some digging and find local stores with latex and memory foam mattresses.  If you like really firm, you might not light memory foam as your body heat warms the mattress and you sink into it.  You don't sink as much into latex.  Latex definitely feels different than sping mattress but just as supportive. But I don't think you should buy anything without first trying out some latex beds locally.

Yes, a layer of Dunlop and a layer of Talalay is going to feel quite different even with the same ILD. The Dunlop will feel much less springy, more like sleeping on a rubber mat, though that's a bit of an exaggeration. But generally I'd say, for example, a 32 ILD Dunlop 2" layer will feel more like a 36ILD Talalay 2" layer, but not only firmer but just different, less responsive, less springy.

Some people do like Dunlop. I hated it even as a base though now I am sleeping on 2" of Dunlop with 2" of Talalay on top of that and it's okay. But frankly I think all Talalay would suit me better (on top of a spring-type base).

Really it's just a matter of preference, but I'd have to guess that the majority of people are going to prefer Talalay. It would be interesting to do a poll here and see how many people sleep on Talalay, how many on Dunlop and how many on a combination.

sleepswithcats wrote:

I an somewhat local to FBM and F4U (SE Michigan)

 . . . . but neither of them list anything firmer than a 36 ILD on their websites.

Any suggestions on retailers to visit in SE Michigan that would have wide range of 100% Latex mattresses?