need advice for latex topper
Jun 2, 2012 11:34 AM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
There are so many choices for a latex topper.  I have a very firm coil mattress that has very little foam and no pillowtop.  I am using that as my base.  I plan on buying a 2" medium topper from FBM.  I'd like another top layer that is softer and I'm concerned the 20ILD from FBM will be too firm from what I've read here.  Any advice on where to buy a reasonably priced soft latex topper?  I also want to put a wool mattress pad on it, any advice on that would be welcome also.

 

Thanks.

Jeff

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #5 Jun 4, 2012 5:08 PM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
After speaking with a few people at different online vendors, it sounds like I should opt for a medium firmness topper.  I just ordered a 3" talatech topper from FoamsweetFoam.  It was a clearance item, so no returns, but at $299 for a king size, I took the chance.  Wish me luck. I'll post the results after I have it together.
Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #6 Jun 5, 2012 9:20 AM
Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Points: 182
Jtfoster wrote:

After speaking with a few people at different online vendors, it sounds like I should opt for a medium firmness topper.  I just ordered a 3" talatech topper from FoamsweetFoam.  It was a clearance item, so no returns, but at $299 for a king size, I took the chance.  Wish me luck. I'll post the results after I have it together.


What ILD rating?

GK
 

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #7 Jun 5, 2012 9:48 AM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
GKDesigns wrote:

 


What ILD rating?

GK
 


I've already forgotten what he told me.   I'm thinking 28-30 ILD.  They have them available in a variety of ILD.

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #8 Jun 5, 2012 9:59 AM
Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Points: 182
Jtfoster wrote:

 

I've already forgotten what he told me.   I'm thinking 28-30 ILD.  They have them available in a variety of ILD.

3" of 28 might work ok.  Hard to know how it will interact with the springs.  It may be on the firm side... you could add 1-2" of 19-21 on top later to finish it off.

Definitely use a wool pad over it to aid ventilation.  Even a thin polyester pad tends to trap body heat at the top Latex layer... wool works better.

GK

This message was modified Jun 5, 2012 by GKDesigns
Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #9 Jun 5, 2012 10:13 AM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
GKDesigns wrote:

 

 

 

 

3" of 28 might work ok.  Hard to know how it will interact with the springs.  It may be on the firm side... you could add 1-2" of 19-21 on top later to finish it off.

Definitely use a wool pad over it to aid ventilation.  Even a thin polyester pad tends to trap body heat at the top Latex layer... wool works better.

GK

I've seen wool pads from with a wide variety of loft.   Some look to be a traditional looking pad with a thin layer of wool sewn in while others are a very thick fleece look.  I don't want to lose any of the benefits of the latex by putting it under a bunch of wool, but I do like what I read about the benefits of wool  Should I be looking at the thinner pads?  Would I still gain the benefits?  Any specific brands or specifications are welcomed.

This message was modified Jun 5, 2012 by Jtfoster
Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #10 Jun 5, 2012 10:31 AM
Joined: May 22, 2012
Points: 5
Re wool mattress pads - I've just scoured threads on here so feel like I can chime in. Lots of people love the St. Dormeir wool pad - it appears to be stretchy and thin enough that it doesn't inhibit the benefits of the latex, but you still get the benefits of the wool loft. It's available several different places, including here: http://www.snuggledown.com/s/catalog/st_geneve/st_dormeir_wool_mattress_protectors/

However, because I wanted instant gratifcation (and many places selling St. Dormeir seem to have a multiple week lead time to order it) I ended up buying Foam Sweet Foam's mattress pad, which is wool loft and cotton, and also pretty thin: http://www.foamsweetfoam.com/king-natural-mattress-pad-4.html It has been a really nice change from our poly-fill, poly blend prior mattress cover. 

By the way, I'm doing something similar to you: experimenting with latex over my newly deconstructed pillowtop. I got 2" of "medium" (N3) natual latex from Foam Sweet Foam on clearance. It's definitely a major improvement over the lumpy 2 year old pillowtop, BUT my husband and I found it was a little too firm for side-sleeping comfort, so I'm awaiting delivery of a couple of 1" toppers in soft and extra soft (N2 and N3) - but YMMV. Good luck and keep us posted - this board is such a great resource. 

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #11 Jun 5, 2012 11:18 AM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
Warrigal wrote:

Re wool mattress pads - I've just scoured threads on here so feel like I can chime in. Lots of people love the St. Dormeir wool pad - it appears to be stretchy and thin enough that it doesn't inhibit the benefits of the latex, but you still get the benefits of the wool loft. It's available several different places, including here: http://www.snuggledown.com/s/catalog/st_geneve/st_dormeir_wool_mattress_protectors/

 

However, because I wanted instant gratifcation (and many places selling St. Dormeir seem to have a multiple week lead time to order it) I ended up buying Foam Sweet Foam's mattress pad, which is wool loft and cotton, and also pretty thin: http://www.foamsweetfoam.com/king-natural-mattress-pad-4.html It has been a really nice change from our poly-fill, poly blend prior mattress cover. 

By the way, I'm doing something similar to you: experimenting with latex over my newly deconstructed pillowtop. I got 2" of "medium" (N3) natual latex from Foam Sweet Foam on clearance. It's definitely a major improvement over the lumpy 2 year old pillowtop, BUT my husband and I found it was a little too firm for side-sleeping comfort, so I'm awaiting delivery of a couple of 1" toppers in soft and extra soft (N2 and N3) - but YMMV. Good luck and keep us posted - this board is such a great resource. 


What do you think of something like this http://www.dreamsoftbedware.com/bsnugdelmatc2.html

 

Too thick?

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #12 Jun 5, 2012 2:03 PM
Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Points: 182
Jtfoster wrote:

I've seen wool pads from with a wide variety of loft.   Some look to be a traditional looking pad with a thin layer of wool sewn in while others are a very thick fleece look.  I don't want to lose any of the benefits of the latex by putting it under a bunch of wool, but I do like what I read about the benefits of wool  Should I be looking at the thinner pads?  Would I still gain the benefits?  Any specific brands or specifications are welcomed.

Even a normal/thin layer will make a ventilation difference.  Like you say, too thick can interfere with the contouring affect of Latex.  A layer of good wool should do it... a stretchy cover would be a plus.  Machine washable would be good.

I have no wool pads to recommend... looking at the St. D myself.  But the wool in my mattress cover has demonstrated its advantages when compared with putting a typical polyfill pad over the top Latex layer.  We pulled the top Latex layer out of the cover to see how it felt closer to our bodies... to see if the mattress cover was affecting firmness.  We concluded the mattress cover was doing its best not to affect firmness while still being a cover.  And that wool beats polyfill for ventilation.  Our mattress cover is no more than 3/8" thick.

GK

Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #13 Jun 6, 2012 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 12, 2012
Points: 18
I got my extra firm spring mattress yesterday.  Wow is it firm.  My wife said, "People don't sleep on mattresses this hard...its like a board"  I told her, they wouldn't sell them if someone didnt' wnat them.  Luckily we both slept well and no aches and pains this morning.  I get my 3" talatech topper on Friday.  I can't wait.  I got the medium ILD, which is between 28-30.  I hope it is soft enough.  I'm a pretty big guy, about 280 and was afraid I'd bottome out on the soft ILD which is about 20.
Re: need advice for latex topper
Reply #14 Jun 6, 2012 1:01 PM
Joined: Mar 15, 2012
Points: 182
Jtfoster wrote:

I got my extra firm spring mattress yesterday.  Wow is it firm.  My wife said, "People don't sleep on mattresses this hard...its like a board"  I told her, they wouldn't sell them if someone didnt' wnat them.  Luckily we both slept well and no aches and pains this morning.  I get my 3" talatech topper on Friday.  I can't wait.  I got the medium ILD, which is between 28-30.  I hope it is soft enough.  I'm a pretty big guy, about 280 and was afraid I'd bottome out on the soft ILD which is about 20.

Guesstimating here...

The 28 Latex on 'wow' firm spring core will probably work for you... you may want a few more inches of Latex to isolate the springs a bit more. Your wife, typically side sleepers, may find it to be too firm... not enough hip and shoulder plunge... so, a few more inches of softer Latex on top might serve her, also.

GK

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