Hello All

 

I could use some help with choosing the right ILD for a latex mattress. I am a side sleeper (sleep with my arm under pillow and my head on top) When I sleep on my right side my shoulder and my rib cage along with my lower back ache most of the day. If I sleep on my left side the same pains on that side.

I am 5' 8" 200lb(50 years old btw) 

I think I have read enough that I believe talalay latex is what I need.

I was thinking of ILD of about 29 in 6 inches with a 2 inch topper of 20 ILD.

Maybe I am way off the mark here but am trying my best to guess at whats correct for me. I have bought two new mattresses in the last few years (one pillow top-current and before that one a plush that was not as bad as the pillow top but still not great)

I'm begging for help

Thank you for any help anyone can give me

Dane

I would say that most people tend to go a bit firmer than 29 in the support levels, especially at 200 lbs. or more.   I think Phoenix uses 28 as his support level, but he is lighter than you.

Almost no one gets it right the first time, so that is one of the benefits of buying from a place like flobeds or sleepez.  You can exchange layers or return it if nothing works.  Flobeds also has a vzone, which allows you to put a softer piece under shoulder, ribs or wherever you want.

It is probably better to err on the side of firmer, if you are willing to add a bit more on top if necessary.

I actually like a fairly firm base and softer on the top.  So, I use springs (probably around 40 in terms of ILD) + 2" of 32 + 1" of 24 + 1 inch of 5.9lb. memory foam + 1" of 19.   I also carved out a softer zone under my shoulder for that part of the 2" of 32.

For a flobed type configuration I was best at 6" of 36 + 3" of 32 (under hips, 24 under shoulders) + 2" of softer layer (around 14-20).

I am 6'4" 213 side sleeper.

So, you may want a bit firmer base (32-36) and possibly adding 1" of something softer on top.   However, there is nothing better than trying different things to try to figure out what will work best for you.

Dane,

Is there any mattress places where you could try a latex, to get a feel for it?  Even an "S" brand latex might yield some info?

I just tried a latex bed for the first time recently, and I gained a great deal of understanding of the "firmnesses"...reading just doesn't cut it.

Good luck!

learn from my 4400 mistake, go with a bed that you can adjust exchange or get a refund if it doesnt work out! flobed or sleepbydesign, or one of the companies that allow you to try different layers of latex, untill you are completely satisfied! trust me you dont want to keep buying beds and selling them a a fraction of what you paid for them in 2 to 3 months.

Well I have went to the mattress stores and layed on a half dozen or so. They do not say what the ILD is though, just firm, med. or soft. I have been shown a site where you can buy latex in a few different ILD's. Bases of 29 or 36 ILD and toppers of 20 or 29 ILD. Also I have read where some have put a memory foam topper of 5.5 lb.on top of latex bases.

I am considering building my own possibly.