I have been sleeping mostly well for 9 months on my all latex mattress.  I still find it comfortable and supportive with 3 inches of "medium" (24-28 ILD) natural latex over 8 inches of firmer base latex.  However, lately I've been noticing some numbness in my hands and fingers and slight aches in other places.  I sleep mostly on my stomach and sides with my arm underneath one side.

I'm starting to feel the issues are being caused by the latex "pushing back" as has been described here many times.  I previously had a memory foam topper on my old spring mattress and found it comfortable.(gave it away)  I'm thinking of trying just 1 inch of the Sensus memory foam from Overstock and was wondering how many others use memory foam over latex and how it may change the "push back" feeling?   Sandman, I believe you have the 1 inch Sensus from Overstock but don't know what layer you have it on.   Thanks for any observations and comments.

ps.  I have the wool mattress pad so am not concerned with any heat issues.

First, I would say that there is no problem using memory foam over latex.   I actually like to do that.  I have 1" of Sensus and 1" of 4lb. mem-cool (from overstock).  The Sensus is denser and a bit more firm.  The mem-cool does seem to be a bit cooler. 

I just recently switched to putting the Sensus on top, and the mem-cool right below.  I have not used this enough to know if this will be my preferred solution.  At times I have put the Sensus below the mem-cool or even below the mem-cool and 19ILD latex.  I am still trying to figure out my favorite, but the differences are not that big.

My guess is that you would prefer the feel of the firmer Sensus.  I would note that I use a 1" wool topper on top of the stack plus the wool filled Natura pad.   In the past I have shied away from the Sensus on top, because it probably sleeps warmer than anthing else I have.   If I did not use the topper, the heat might be enough of a problem to not use the Sensus on top.

You can also consider 14ILD blended latex.  I have not used, but I am pretty sure it would have much less push back than your 24.  Not the same feel as memory foam though.

I recently received a postcard from overstock for 7% in September (promo code 152179).  Maybe that can save you some money.

Good luck!  Not too expensive to give it a try.

Thanks for the good information and the code, Sandman!  Now I just have to decide between the Sensus and the Mem cool memory foam.   At this point I think I'll pass on the 14 ILD latex since I am looking for a little different "feel" and a slightly firmer surface.    Glad to hear that memory foam over latex can work.

markbnh1 wrote:

There is also the Venus 8lb. memory foam.  However, everyone that has bought it found that it is really 4lb.   So, that would be a gamble unless you are willing to return it.

They have a few other types at overstock, but I have not tried them so won't comment.

You say "I am looking for a little different "feel" and a slightly firmer surface."   I don't think you will get a firmer surface by adding memory foam.  Between the 2, the Sensus is more dense, supportive and firm.  The main drawback being that it sleeps a bit warmer.  If you mainly want to add softness with more breathability, then the mem-cool is probalby better.

Unfortunately, I have not found the perfect combination of density, support and coolness.  Maybe hard to obtain all of  those.  I have had my eye on 5lb. Aerus (suppose to be breathable and 5lb. density) at Sam's club and amazon, but only comes in 2.5".  At some point I might roll the dice on that.
 

Thanks Sandman.   I just ordered the Sensus 1 inch in Queen size.  I hope it's full size and not smaller like their web site states.   I used your 7% off code and it worked fine....better deal than free shipping of $2.95.   It's not a big investment and worse case I can put it on the OLD spring mattress in my daughters former room.   You know, to wander off topic here, that 30 year old Sears mattress and box spring (made by Sealy back then) still sleeps great.  Despite a very small sag it sometimes feels better to me than my brand new latex mattress!  BUT, my wife would strangle me now if I ever went back to that old mattress after investing so much in the new one....haha.  I figured it was time to get away from 30 years of dust mites and whatever else an old mattress collects.

Sandman's the expert, but my best combos had 1 inch of 4 lb memory foam from Overstock or the 1 inch sensus 5 lb mem foam from Overstock... and those layers over latex.

I am not claiming victory yet.. but can share those observations.  The main thing about memory foam is that it takes quite a while to settle/soften.  You won't know how it feels the next morning, or midnight.. until you try it.  They will "melt" "sag" etc.

Recall that you can fold a 1 inch piece to feel what 2 inches of the material feels like.. and may want to double up if you like it.

Just a note:  overstock's mattress products are non returnable.  At their prices that is reasonable and understandable.

good luck,

shovel99

sandman wrote:

http://www.rockymountainmattress.com/aerusmemoryfoamnatural4lb-p-44.html
 

Is this the same price as the Sam's Cub?  My browser doesn't like that website, it is not viewable.

Is it really cooler do you think?  Is it really natural?  Have you looked at RMM's other memory foams they have?

Sandman, or anyone else that may know about Aerus memory foam?  RMM has the 4lb. version.  See link above I posted.  Does it go bad like the memory foam I had on the Sealy, in 4 months does it go south?

 It should breathe better than some other foams (their Sensus for example).  That should help keep it from getting as hot.  I don't think I would consider any foam to be cool.  They all heat up due to body heat.  If they breath though, it seems that they can dissipate the heat better.  I would not call it "natural".  Petroleum byproducts still go into the production.

Supposedly Aerus comes with a 10 yr. warranty (see sleepwarehouse and some other places).   Not sure how you would collect though.   It should last several years.  I have some memory foam from Costco that still seems good after a number of years.

There might be an initial breaken period, were it loses some firmness from when new (I think DianeK has noted this on Costco foam).   Denser should last longer.  4lb. should be okay, and 5lb might last longer.

Sam's club has 2.5" 4lb and 5lb Aerus.  That would probably be the next memory foam I would try (breathable and should be well made).  Not sure which density I would go for, but probably the 5lb. 

Was the foam built into the Sealy?  They use a lot of low density foams that don't last.

 

p.s. if you keep the memory foam well protected it will probably help it last longer.  If you have no cover on it and just a sheet over it I think it will probalby breakdown faster (more exposure to air, body moisture, etc.).

 

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11307126&search=memory%20foam%20topper&Mo=6&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=memory%20foam%20topper&Ntt=memory%20foam%20topper&No=5&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1#shipinfo

 

Halogen free?  What is that? made with 100% visco elastic polyurethane foam with plant-based non-petroleum polymer substitutes.  What?

My Sealy was the Truform, that is just like the Tempurpedic (so they said).  5" of memory foam over the regular firm foam.  Density allegedly 5lb. memory foam. It was good the first 3 months, then hip pain like never before.

 

I love the smell of Latex (someone here didn't like it) and hate the smell of memory foam.  So want natural if I can get it.  Perhaps I need softer than my Brylane Home (Dunlopillo talalay about 18LD so they guess) and the 24ILD natural LI Talalay.  I stopped using the Brylane Home topper but now I think I will add it in again.  Just like you Sandman it feels so soft and comfy at first 1 hour side sleeping then I wake in hip pain.  If I could train myself to sleep on my back I could be okay.  I just hate sleeping on my back.