Hi AustinOski,
I switched your post to a new topic of its own since your questions about a topper are outside the scope of the original topic you posted in (and the title will make your comments and questions and any replies easier to find for others that have similar questions).
[quote]As you may recall from other this and other threads we’ve considered:
- Soft BME
- All latex bed.
- Naturepedic or ViSpring innersprings (with/without wool toppers).
New thought - since I liked the all latex with 6"firm core,/base 2" medium middle layer and 4" top layer, what if we just put a 3" soft latex (100% natural talalay" topper on our BME? That would give us 6" foam core/base, 4" medium latex and then 3" soft. It would not replicate the other bed, but may give us something what we want (or close enough to perfect).
I’m ignoring the 1 1/2" of mattress batting in my list, assuming with 3" of latex over it it will a) last longer than without the topper (less prone to indentations and b) it may affect, but won’t greatly affect, the feel of the 3" of latex above and the interaction of the 4" of latex below. Or, si that totally wrong?
I’m thinking we’d then be in $1500 or so vs. $2300 for an all latex mattress. Of course, we’re still risking the 3" topper will do the trick. From what I’ve read on various sites, the toppers are not returnable.
Is there any reason, structurally, this would not work? I understand we won’t know preference and support wise whether it will really work. But, given the layers, can it?[/quote]
In “theory” it could certainly work but “real life” experience doesn’t always match theory because there are so many variables involved.
If a mattress is too firm then a good quality topper can certainly be an effective way to add some additional softness and pressure relief although the only way to know whether a specific mattress/topper combination is a good “match” for you in terms of PPP is based on your own careful testing or personal experience on the combination. If you can’t test the combination in person then there is always some risk and uncertainty involved in adding a topper because the specifics of the mattress itself along with your own body type, sleeping position, and preferences can affect which specific topper would be the most suitable choice on any specific mattress.
There is more information about choosing a topper in post #2 here and the topper guidelines it links to which along with a conversation with a reliable supplier that can provide you with good information about how their toppers compare to each other or to other toppers they are familiar with that are available on the market can help you use your sleeping experience as a reference point and guideline to help you choose the type, thickness, and firmness for a topper that has the least possible risk and the best chance for success. It also includes a link to a list of some of the better online sources for toppers I’m aware of and a link to the online suppliers that have good exchange/return policies as well.
If you do end up making a suitable topper choice and a mattress/topper combination turns out to be a good “match” for you in terms of PPP then it also has the advantage that it allows you to replace just the topper without replacing the entire mattress if it softens or breaks down before the upper foam layers in the mattress (the upper layers or a sleeping system tend to soften or break down before the deeper layers) or if your needs or preferences change over time and a topper can also help extend the useful life of the mattress underneath it.
Overall though … if you are purchasing a topper “blind” and you’re not certain what it will feel like on your mattress then I would focus on suppliers that have a good exchange/return policies just in case your topper choice doesn’t work out as well as you hope for.
Phoenix