We bought a new hybrid latex king sized mattress in 1/2024. The softer one by this manufacturer (big mistake). There are deep body imprints on each side where we sleep. I am 5’7” 125lbs. hub 5’9” 160lbs. I’ve been having such hip pain I have moved to our cheap upstairs bed/mattress in our guest room. The pain had gotten so bad that I had hip X-rays (no arthritis) to make sure nothing else was going on. I recently bought a Saatva 1.5” Talalay topper which was possibly another expensive mistake or not if a new mattress will be helpful with that as a topper. Previously had a queen size circa 2017 original Avocado plain and bought a 3” Talalay topper & it was perfect. Wish I had never switched from a queen to a king. I’m researching again but know there is no one right answer for everyone. I’ve always loved latex but this mattress is not good. Any suggestions appreciated. I’m mostly a side sleeper (right) and hub stomach back side and can sleep on anything anywhere with zero issues. Mostly a vent while I keep reading (and overanalyzing). Thanks.
Hi Parislee3,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround.
Thank you for sharing your experience. It is completely understandable to be frustrated when a mattress fails in under 2 years. Regardless of who made it.
While I’m not here to defend Latex For Less or any specific company, I can speak generally about the quality of latex used in the industry. There are two major sources of Talalay latex and four major sources of premium Dunlop latex worldwide. All of them are highly regarded and used by most reputable manufacturers. I’m not certain where Latex For Less sources their latex, but in most cases, the materials themselves are quite good. That said, it’s still possible for a bad layer to slip through even with high-quality components.
One key point worth emphasizing is that many mattress comfort issues come down to the support system underneath. Latex is flexible and heavy, and it performs best on a well-constructed foundation. In fact, one of the most common causes of early mattress sagging or body impressions is an inadequate base.
Would you be open to posting a picture of your foundation setup? It would also be helpful to know:
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The width of the slats
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The thickness of the slats
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The spacing between the slats
This kind of information can really help determine if your support system may be contributing to the issue. Foundations are often overlooked, but they can make or break the feel and longevity of a latex mattress.
Also, switching from a queen to a king introduces new variables. King-size mattresses cover a larger surface area, which can amplify support inconsistencies. That could explain why your previous queen setup with a Talalay topper worked so well, while this current setup is falling short.
You’re absolutely right that there’s no single best answer for everyone, but your previous experience with a 3" Talalay topper over a supportive base might be a good starting point again. If we can isolate whether the problem lies in the mattress itself or the support system, you may not need to start from scratch.
Let us know if you can share those foundation details. That might help clarify the next steps and lead to a more targeted solution.
Our Latex Experts here, particularly those who work with a lot of DIY systems can be helpful in spotting weak or vulnerable areas within your system. @Arizona_Premium, @Sleep_EZ are two Trusted Members who work to help folks with this type of solutions all the time. I am quite certain that @DLX and @EuropeanSleep may be able to offer some quality advice as well.
I know it is disappointing when this situation occurs, but it could be a one off, or it could be a structural issue. You should consider contacting LFL and see what options they may have for you too. No one wants their name out there associated with poor quality anything. So there may be an incentive for them to work with you to solve the issue.
Look forward to those images.
Maverick
Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions. These are the specs for the bed/slats and reinforcement above that. You are right, I need to contact the manufacturer and discuss with them and did edit my post to remove their name.
Bed Frame Material
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Solid Wood
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Box Spring Required
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No
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Number of Slats Included
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12
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Slat Material
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Solid Wood
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Center Support Legs
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Yes
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Number of Center Support Legs
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3
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Weight Capacity
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800 lb.
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The distance from the slat to the lower horizontal bar of the headboard is approximately 5.3 inches.
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Each of the slats is approximately 2.75" wide. The distance between the two slats is about 3.64".
This on top of above:
The 1.5-inch Bunkie Board , Split Bunkie Board provides a surface foundation for any platform beds, bunks and daybeds. It adds support to the mattress and will keep mattress stay in good shape thus extending the life of your mattress. It will give a firm bottom support for the mattress and raises the mattress up for about 1.5 inches. When a mattress is placed directly on slats or metal spring, the mattress will have the tendency to rip or sink. These can be avoided with the use of a Bunkie board. Using a Bunkie board doubles the mattress’ life expectancy. This Bunkie board is a good alternative in lieu of a box spring that may be too high for day beds. It will give the bed a lift without adding much height. This Bunkie board is strong enough to be used directly on bed frame in lieu of a box spring. It will give the mattress a lift which is a quite low but will definitely hold up the mattress. It is wrapped in a stitch bonded nonwoven fabric. It meets federal standards 1632 and 1633 fire code. This Bunkie Board will give you enduring comfort and durability for an excellent sleep.
So, 12 slats is on the lighter side for a foundation, but the bunkie board should have resolved the issue of the slats being spaced more than 3" apart. The wider slat from the headboard, at 5.3", is broader than ideal, but given its location, it’s not too concerning. Even if the slats are only 1/2" thick or less (I don’t see that measurement listed), the bunkie board should again compensate for that.
There’s one last thing you may want to check. Take your phone and film underneath your bed. Then, lie down in your normal sleeping position. Watch the footage to see if any of the slats or the bunkie board are flexing or bowing. I’ve had many people tell me they didn’t think there was an issue with their foundation, until they saw clear evidence of movement in the boards from this kind of video.
If none of this seems to apply, reach out to LFL and ask them to suggest a solution. Let them know you’ve already gone through all the troubleshooting steps we’ve discussed; this will help avoid them defaulting to the usual “it’s your foundation” response.
fyi i) Latex for Less foundation or a supportive, rigid non-yielding foundation. Queen and king sizes must have sufficient center support.
Maverick
Thanks for the filming/video tip! Will try that tomorrow. 3 support legs down the center on solid cherry wood floors would hopefully address the sufficient center support requirement for a king bed.