Hi Phoenix,
I have been lurking on this forum since last Sept… I have read a great deal including your shopping tutorial and many of your articles in addition to a large number of post. I purchased a split king bed last Nov. from Spindle. It has a F, M, and S layer which as you know is all natural, continuous dunlop… Later on, I got a second M layer. I like the feel of the latex but so far I have not been able to find a configuration that gives me enough comfort while keeping me in alignment. I am 5’4", 138 lbs and my husband is 5’10 140 lbs; I am primary a back sleeper but also side and my husband is the reverse… The initial configuration (bottom to top) was F/M/S.- all 3" thick. It didn’t fill in the small of my back, felt slightly too firm, and gave me some hip pain by the time I woke up in the morning. Then I tried MMS but if I recall correctly I think it gave me some lower back pain. So then I tried a number of configurations using either a M or a S as a topper. It seem like it was either too firm where the small of my back was not supported or too soft where my hips sank in too much resulting in pain in the sacroiliac area by the time morning came around. I do think I am OK with the F/M layers the suport.
So am I correct in thinking that that a topper is the way to go but that I should try 2" as opposed to 3".? I tried a 2.5 " talalay dual sided topper that was suppose to be 14/25 ild. I sank right thru it and felt the firmer layers. I tried a 3" 4lb memory foam topper and for a few nights it felt comfortable in terms of how my body sank in but it was hot and after it was broken it I found myself sinking in too much and getting the lower back pain. I tried a 2" 4lb memory foam for 1 night and it seemed better but it must have been a cheap foam because it still had an indentation later the next day. I also slept in an iComfort Firm Savant for a few days while on vacation. It didn’t feel as hot but after a few nights I was beginning to get lower back pain. I should also tell you that when I was initially trying latex beds I found the talalay ones to be too soft - more of a hammock effect.
So I seem to like sinking into the mattress some but I dislike the heat from the memory foam. I have become somewhat leery of trying another 3" topper. Can you make any topper recommendations for me? Do you think a 2" gel memory foam topper like http://www.sleepwarehouse.com/gel-memory-foam-mattress-topper/ or perhaps I should consider the Energia http://www.sleepwarehouse.com/energia-foam-mattress-topper/. Are there any other toppers out there that sleep cool but will conform better than latex?
I am also considering purchasing a second bed, but am hesitant about another latex bed because of my current issues. Do you think I might do OK on the T&N as it sounds like the top layer although initially firm seems to soften some and conform to the body more like memory foam would without being hot. Or my other choice is the Dreamfoam 12 in 1 but I suspect that the foam might not conform to my body as much although I like that it is adjustable. Can you give me some information on how the ild of polyfoam compare with that of later? Specifically for the spindle latex vs that of dreamfoam which I was told was 36.28/19? That is, will the 2.o lb 19 ild polyfoam be firmer or softer than the soft layer of the spindle latex? Do you think I will face the same issues of comfort and alignment with a polyfoam mattress?
Any suggestions as to how to proceed are welcomed. I was able to return the memory foam toppers because I purchased them locally but I do want to try to keep my costs down. Thanks so much.