Mattress Forum

We are on a very similar quest.  I had a 3" layer of 4 lb. memory foam over a 40 ILD x 5.5" latex core.  Being about 235 lbs, I also am a side sleeper.  The memory foam was comfortable at first but after two years it no longer has any support as my shoulders are sore in the mornings.  I could have just replaced the memory foam but it was way too hot for me.  I tried to replace it with this http://mattresses.net/3-inch-latex-mattress-topper.html, but found the Dunlop latex too firm for my shoulders to get comfortable.  The great part was that it was so much cooler to sleep on than memory foam, I couldn't believe it!  I've been reading here for a while and think for me the talalay latex is the way to go and now considering this one, http://mattresses.net/3-inch-rejuvenite-talalay-latex-mattress-topper.html.  The one that Phoenix has suggested also looks like a good deal which includes shipping and appears they allow returns.   For my situation I'm just not sure if 19 ILD is soft enough or if I need something in the 14 ILD range.  I have not found anyone locally with this in inventory to test out.  I just wanted to point out that the latex really is a lot cooler to sleep on and if you can tolerate a higher density, the zoned dunlop is a good deal also.

Good Luck

With your mattress, I would be looking for a foam that would allow for cradling and pressure relief, not wool at all. While wool may feel soft initially, it does not form a cradle and as it compresses it's ability to cradle and relieve pressure becomes even less. This is different than mattresses that use tufting to keep the wool "plumped up" in the mattress construction but even here they are not as inherantly pressure relieving as a material that will form a cradle and distribute weight. Once you have found the answer to pressure relief then I would consider adding a thin layer of wool on top to see if the pressure relief remains. In another thread, Leo has just completely removed her wool because even though it was thin and loose, it prevented the underlying 4" of soft latex from doing it's job well enough.

Cowboy,

19 ILD is pretty soft and I would suspect at your weight may be a little better than 14 but personal experience always trumps theory. Where do you live and I'll see if there is anything in my list that could give you some decent "field testing".

General,

The sleep warehouse latex green Dunlop is a prime example of how a small error in a websites listing could cause major long lasting problems. They have their soft latex green Dunlop topper listed as 16-18 ILD. This is not the case. It is around 30 and possibly higher. The mistake originates on the latex green website because they are using KGF which means Kilograms of force. A kilogram is about 2.2 lbs so 16 kg would be over 35 ILD (ILD is measured in lbs). Some of the European and Asian websites also use a larger compression percentage (ILD compresses a material 25%) so this may not be directly "translateable" but it would be much higher than an ILD equivalent.

This could very easily cause someone to buy it on the assumption that it was "soft" and roughly equivalent to 16-18 talalay or even 24 ILD talalay (it would be much firmer than both) and when it wasn't they would come to believe that there is "no such thing" as latex that is soft enough for them and start an "endless round" of testing materials based on an incorrect assumption.

Another question, My old memory foam came from overstock .. the one I assume is around a 2 lb above .. how does that compare in firmness to the rejuvenite 19 ILD talalay latex . Is the latex maybe twice as firm?  I am thinking now the 19 latex is the one for me or would the more firm version be better. Do you know of any field testing places  in central connecticut?

Again TYVM for all the help I really appreciate it and ty cowboy

How soft something feels is often a function of how well they conform to your body shape and distribute pressure and memory foam and latex do this in different ways. Memory foam does this by turning into a "liquid like" state with heat and pressure and latex does this through "point elasticity" (the ability of a very small area to compress without affecting the surrounding area). Soft and very soft latex is very similar to memory foam in it's ability to "form a cradle" and feel soft. Some say latex is better ... some say memory foam is better. It would depend on the person, the ILD of the latex, and the chemicals used in the specific type of memory foam in it's manufacture. If memory foam is over a firmer layer and someone sinks through it over the course of the night as it heats up, then it will even feel much firmer than soft latex as they would be feeling the "support layers" under the memory foam. Like the difference between honey and water, denser memory foam doesn't always feel firmer than less dense and can even feel softer.

Will look for outlets in Central Conneticut and post them here as a PS but I know there are a few as Conneticut is where LI is situated.

Phoenix

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Memory-Foam-3-inch-Mattress-Topper/884135/product.html

http://www.thecleanbedroom.com/Showrooms.htm Retailer. Have a wide range of latex mattresses including layered make your own versions that would be a good testing ground.

http://www.allyouneedforsleep.com/index.htm Retailer. Carry Restopedic mattresses which are great value and would also be good testing grounds

http://www.manta.com/c/mmjfn7g/restopedic-inc Manufacturer. These are the actual manufacturer of Restopedic and sell factory direct. Don't have a website but they do have great value. Was impressed when I talked with them.

http://www.norwalkmattress.com/ Manufacturer. Also manufactures a range of latex mattresses

http://www.columbiamattressuph.com/findcmu.html Manufacturer. Their website says they have latex but I don't know any details about whether they make all latex or not.

http://www.comfortss.com/location.html Manufacturer. Makes a range of latex mattresses.

http://www.mybobs.com/locations/ Retailer/manufacturer? Focuses on memory foam but including them for the sake of completeness in case someone else looking for memory foam sees this list.

http://www.customsleepdesign.com/ Manufacturer. Makes custom layered and zoned latex mattresses using an approach that I believe is very accurate. Was also impressed when I talked with him and he is a former VP of latex international.

All of the latex manufacturers in this list may very well sell you a topper at a very good price should you need one. They would certainly provide excellent testing grounds. Conneticut doesn't have as many manufacturers as other states but they are among the best.

If there are stores like Sleepy's near you, then the Pure Latex Bliss line of mattresses would also be excellent testing grounds. They are a "subsidiary" of Latex International and while they are more than the manufacturers listed here, their mattresses and toppers do give you a chance to test out different comfort layers and thicknesses.

Phoenix

PS: based on the overstock description it is probably chinese memory foam. They say "rated at" 4 lb which usually means absolutely nothing and usually means it actually isn't 4lb. Without knowing who manufactures the memory foam there is no way to tell how it will "act" in actual use or what it really is. The 2 year warranty also indicates that it is probably "lesser" memory foam as well.

According to the link cowboy gave the video on the rejuvenite that the seller has says that they are manufactured by international latex in their connecticut factory under the rejuvenite name.

Phoenix

  I am still leaning toward the soft  I think at 19 ild with the rejuvenite since I am a side sleeper

This site claims the ild in the 20's is better ?  http://www.plushbeds.com/latexmattress.html

I think I'll have to go try the latex bliss again.

Here is a general idea of some of their mattress constructions with and without a 2" topper http://www.mattresssave.com/index.php?mattress/shop/brand/6

The 28 ILD and the 19 ILD would probably feel quite noticeably different on a firm mattress but testing it on something "soft" may distort the results of what you are feeling. I would test them on as firm a mattress as I could (like yours) and make sure you know how thick the version you are testing is as 2" and 3" could also make a difference.

My answer to anyone who makes those kind of "definitive statements" about soft and firm is always ... for who? It's too personal IMO to make blanket judgements about ILD or what is "best". There really isn't any difference in feel between 20 - 22 and 19 ILD anyway and they seem to think that "21" is OK lol.

Phoenix