Hi Phoenix,
Let me start by thanking you for all the work you’ve put into this site - it’s proved an invaluable resource, and serves as a repository for knowledge in an industry that tends to be anything but transparent.
My research on this site and others led me to select a king size latex mattress from Brooklyn Bedding (their Total Latex model) in my recent mattress search. Though this post is not intended as a review per se, I will take a moment to comment on my experience thus far. As seems to be the norm, I have nothing but good things to say about Mario, Chuck, and the rest of the team at BB. They are courteous, informative, and not at all pushy as one goes about the rather challenging process of selecting and purchasing a mattress sight-unseen. Once the order was placed, the mattress shipped quickly, arrived on time, and unpacked without issue. The care that went into the selection of its materials and the quality utilized in its construction are obvious (even to a mattress-buying neophyte like myself). As others have said, handles would be a nice addition to the cover, but it’s hardly even worth mentioning. The mattress is easily the equal of mattresses costing many times more - and I have tested quite a few!
After trying out several latex mattresses locally (Savvy Rest, Pure Latex Bliss, Natura World, Pranasleep, etc.), scouring the internet for information, and consulting with the good folks at BB, I felt pretty confident in selecting the mattress’ firmness when I placed the order. I went with a “hybrid” setup, using the default 32 ILD base in talalay (as is used on most of their standard mattress builds), and splitting the top comfort layer between 19 ILD talalay for my girlfriend and 24 ILD talalay for myself. I’m 6’, 180 lbs, a side sleeper, and typically like a soft topped-mattress with firmer support underneath. She’s 5’5", 110 lbs, a side sleeper, and likes the mattress to be as soft as possible (and then some). I figured the arrangement I purchased would suit us both very well. I was half right…
She loves her side, comparing it to sleeping on a cloud! Being of a slight build, however, I feel like she probably never really sinks much past the top comfort layer. All she’s feeling is the 19 ILD, and that’s perfect. I was kind of assuming that would be the case when I selected the materials.
My side, however, is a different story. I want to preface this next part, though, by saying that I don’t mean for this to reflect negatively on BB at all! They make a great product - I just need to rethink my density/material choices, and this is what has brought me to the forum seeking advice. I have no doubt BB will be willing to work with me to get this bed comfortable, but I feel I need some more info before I even know what to tell them.
Here’s my issue: When I lie on the mattress, I feel like I’m out of alignment (I’m assuming that’s my spine I feel…). I also feel a pinching sensation above my pelvis on the opposite side on which I’m laying. So, if I’m lying on my right side, it’s my left side that hurts. Not only is this uncomfortable, but I’ve been waking up very tired, and it results in soreness that I feel the entire next day. At first, I felt that perhaps my hips were sinking in too much, and I simply needed a firmer comfort layer, but then I stumbled on this post (#4). This seems to sum up my experience exactly!
"Same thing can happen with the hips if there is too much pressure there and the body tries to “twist” (move the top leg forward) to relieve pressure. All of these are more common with people who tend to “shift” towards the stomach position rather than the back position. This can be aggravated if the ILD of the mattress under the hips isn’t firm enough to “hold them up” and they are sinking in too far which can aggravate the twist. This can result in a half stomach half side sleeping position which is twisted in some fashion. The odd thing is that this can mean the mattress is both too firm on top (for pressure relief) and too soft (usually under the hips in the deeper layers for best alignment)."
That got me thinking that maybe it isn’t the comfort layer, but rather the support layers that aren’t supportive enough. To help test this (and after speaking with Chuck) I’ve removed the comfort layer and will be sleeping directly on the base 6" of 32 ILD to see how that feels for a couple of nights. First impressions of this have not been comfortable, though. I feel like I went from person #2 to person #3 in the below diagram:
As an aside, I’ve also tried the mattress directly on the floor as well as in the bed (with Ikea Laxeby slatted base). The bed proved more comfortable, but only after the hip slats were adjusted to increase firmness in relation to the rest of the bed. It’s still not pain-free, but it’s better.
So, my question is this: what would you recommend I try next? Based on your above post, I’m almost thinking I may need to swap out the base layer(s) of the mattress (I realize this isn’t a feature of the Total Latex, but let’s ignore that for the moment). Go firmer? Switch to dunlop? Maybe a 24T/32D/40D or 24T/36T/40D arrangement, or something to that effect? What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this lengthy post and for any advice you might be able to offer!
- Patrick