My wife and I have been sleeping on 3" 20 ILD topper from FBM on top of a too-firm Stearns and Foster spring mattress for 3 weeks now.  It works fine for her (5'6", 125 lbs) but I often wake up stiff and sometimes have trouble sleeping due to pressure points, though I have had a few nights of excellent and comfortable slelep (I'm 5'10", 150lbs).  I'm a side sleeper with sacroiliac pain.  This topper seems more medium than soft in feel and I've put a cushioned mattress pad on top of it to try softening it up.  I've also tried putting a fiber-filled pad over the latext in addition or in place of cushioned mattress pad, but that doesn't provide enough back support.  I have only 5 days left before my 30 day trial period expires, so  I need to make a decision on whether to return it, which only makes sense if there's a better option. Is the 19ILD topper from Sleep Like a Bear noticeably softer than FBM 20 ILD?  Is 3 inches too thick?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.

I would recommend switching to a latex international topper where the ILD is tested and printed on as a label.  Then at least you know what you are sleeping on.  You may find that 19 ILD is actually too soft and that your FBM topper was actually a much higher ILD than advertised.  I know the 20 ILD topper I ordered from FBM is certianly firmer than a 20 ILD should be.

Thanks Jim.  I can believe that FBM ILD20 is firmer than advertised.

EB

Where is the 20 ILD from? Ratings are all over the map, I have a 19 ILD that is too firm for me at the moment, but another sample i received of 19 ILD is *way* softer - feels twice as soft. its' Latex International. have not decided when to buy my next piece from.

Change out the too firm mattress.  Get a 6" core of latex for your bed instead of a too firm mattress. These toppers are really only that - toppers. They cannot correct major defecencies underneath.  Or another way to go might be a piece of thin memory foam in the mix.  

I'm not an expert on these ILDs but  do know that the 2" soft (20ish) topper I have from FBM seems in the range of what it should be.  I tried alot of stuff out before I bought - as much as I could find in my area.  It works for me.  I am not super picky though, and can adapt and sleep on a range of firmnesses, although I prefer a soft comfort layer and med firm underneath.  From my continued reading of this forum, my ability to sleep on a range of firmnesses is something that I am grateful for.

Thanks Mingus and BillB.  The latex is from Foam by Mail and reading through different postings here suggests that their "soft" tends to run firmer than Latex International's 19ILD.  I placed a 2" piece of 4 lb memory foam under the latext last night and that softened it up.  Bill, you may well be right about replacing the firm mattress as a long-term solution.  You ARE fortunate to be able to sleep well on beds of different firmness!

Thanks all.