Hi Gormeroth.
You are welcome!
Short of visiting a showroom to try each and every possible combination of the layers you listed it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to determine with certainty what your perfect layering combo is. Next best thing (which would also lead to the minimum amount of returns should that be needed at all ) is to
• “think it through” based on your previous experience and history with different materials and layering and jot down a few possible combinations.
• I’d consult SleepEZ’s very experienced team (you may want to talk to Rodger or even Shawn if he is available). Have ready some clear notes to share with them. I’d make sure that that they help you select the deep support layers that are appropriate for your BMI, sleeping style and posture.
• Based on the results of this conversation I’d order only the 3 layers adding up to the latex thickness you decided (in this case either 9" or 8"), that in your opinion would have the best chance of success for your particular needs and preferences. I’d start with this as a baseline.
• Meanwhile I’d find and order the Memory foam layer. IMO 2" MF layer thickness is enough to give you the feel you are looking for.
• If you need to fine-tune for pressure point relief you can safely add more softness either by replacing the 2" soft Talalay with a 3" soft Talalay (if you opted for8" latex thickness) or exchanging one of the support layers for something softer.
• Once you receive all these 4 layers there are many ways to experiment with them to determine what your next step in fine-tuning is, should this be necessary.
I’m looking forward to that part of your journey and hearing how it goes!
As you likely already know, Sleep EZ is a Trusted Member of the site and they have an extremely experienced support team. I am sensing that you’d find it hard to reach a decision unless you have the ability to compare all outcomes but once you explain what you’re up to I’d rely on SleepEZ’s advice, and explain that you are trying to not exceed the numbers of returns they have available. You may be surprised by the solutions they may suggest ensuring that you end up with a good match product.
If you chose to go down your initial path of ordering all layers, below are other resources for sourcing your latex layers:
Arizona Premium and DIY Natural Bedding as well as looking into Latex Mattress Factory and Sleep on Latex
Indeed, returns can become more of a problem than a solution if they get abused. This is why companies that focus on keeping the mattress price point reasonable have to limit the number returns. As you probably guess returns are not “free” per se, they are included in the price of a mattress and act more like an “insurance policy” for the consumer. The other side of returns is that for companies that look for volume sales regardless of product quality …returns can be also just about marketing because the cost of returning or exchanging a mattress or individual layers are all built in to the purchase price of a product that offers “free shipping” or “free returns” so the majority of people who don’t return or exchange a mattress are the ones who pay for the minority that do. You can read more about exchange and return policies in post #25 here . Some manufacturers or retailers include the “real” return and/or exchange costs into the cost of their product and some manufacturers or retailers prefer to have them as a separate cost so only the people that return or exchange a mattress or a layer pay for it.
Quite the opposite, memory foam responsiveness is mostly independent of its density. However, density is directly related to MF durability. The denser the foam is the more durable In your case a 4lbs layer is sufficient for your BMI but you’ll most likely have an issue if you are looking for a responsive material. Memory foam is well known for its low responsiveness and low resiliency. This can be an issue for those who change positions often or are sensitive to the time it takes for the memory foam to conform to their new position as it can create short term “pressure” while it forms a new “cradle”. Again, different types of memory foams will take shorter or longer to conform to a new position. This “time to compress” or “rebound” that changes with temperature is both part of memory foam’s strength for some (creates a “stable cradle”) and its weakness for others (doesn’t conform to new positions quickly enough or feels too firm). Some people may also be sensitive to a lack of resiliency or “pushback” which allows them to change positions more easily with a little “help” from the mattress and helps to support the lumbar area.
Latex however It is very resilient (it returns a high percentage of the energy of compression instead of absorbing it like memory foam which has very low resilience) so it can enhance the “feel” of the mattress by making it more responsive and more adaptable to different body profiles and sleeping positions rather than the less responsive feeling of memory foam or the stiffer and less adaptable characteristics of polyfoam.
You did not mention if heat is an issue for you but some side effects of memory foam’s greater sensitivity to heat can also lead to sleeping issues for some people. The deeper in a mattress someone sleeps, the more likely someone is to have issues with “sleeping hot”.
Depends if you are in the “Princess and the Pea” range of sensitivity, generally most people cannot feel a difference if the layer is deeper within the mattress. Talalay latex is most popular as a comfort layer because it can be made softer than Dunlop and is more consistent in its softness across the entire surface of the mattress. Dunlop, however, is also used in the comfort layers because of its firmer and less “lively” nature which is attractive to some who prefer its feel.
Looking forward to any additional progress reports.
Phoenix