DIY Hybrid for a larger man and his spouse

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Hello,

I have been lurking around the forum for the last month or so, and I think I have an idea of what I want/need for a new mattress, but I do have a question.

As a larger man. 6’ 2" and 330 lbs, I have come to the conclusion that a hybrid mattress would be best to help support my weight. I am mostly a stomach sleeper, but I do sometimes sleep on my side. My spouse (5’ 10" 215lbs) sleeps in all three positions but likes a firm mattress. Full latex is not off of the table, but we still need to see how one feels.

My current idea for our setup is:
Texas Pocket Springs 8" Quad Coils - 14.75g
2" or 3" of Firm Dunlop Latex (Probably from APM)
3" of Firm Talalay Latex (Probably from APM)

I am curious if we should have some kind of HD foam under the coils to help distribute weight across the slats. I was thinking a 1" HD foam could be useful, but I am not really seeing any 1" HD foam available.

Any tips or thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

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Hi Mike,

Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround. Happy to have you here.

Your approach to mattress shopping seems well thought out, and you’re on the right track with considering both hybrid and latex options.

The folks at @Sleep_EZ and @Arizona_Premium will likely chime in with some thoughtful advice.

Depending on your foundation, and it is recommended to have a nice sturdy, substantial foundation as your foundation is a key component to a longer lasting, durable sleep system. If you choose a slatted foundation, you will want the spacing to be 3" or less. This can help with reducing the possiblity of sagging and damaging the foam or coils depending on what course you take. You can choose slatted or solid wood platform (like the knickerbocker Em Brace 360 Platform.)

High-Density (HD) foam can indeed help distribute weight and prevent sagging, especially on slatted bases. It acts as a buffer between the springs and the slats, which can extend the life of the mattress and provide a more even support surface.

If you’re not finding 1" HD foam, you might consider using 2" HD foam instead. It’s commonly available and still serves the purpose of providing support and reducing pressure points on the slats. I am not sure why you might have difficulty finding a 1" HD Foam with a minimum of 1.8 - 2.0lb density or more with an ILD at a minimum in the upper 30’s (hd foam 1") for you base layer.

Since you and your spouse have different firmness preferences, you might want to consider creating a mattress with adjustable firmness or a setup that allows for customization. For example, using a split setup in the comfort or the entire latex build allows for a variety of customizable choices.

There are those who will offer that for over 250lb sleepers, all latex with the ability to customize is the way to go. Although, springs will likely provide better edge support.

Given their extensive experience dealing with a wide range of body profiles and preferences, both @Arizona_Premium and @Sleep_EZ are experts in high-quality materials and how they perform under various conditions. Their deep knowledge of latex and hybrid mattresses, coupled with their focus on customization, makes them excellent resources for ensuring you get the right support and comfort based on your unique needs.

Hopefully this will give you some food for though as you build your project.

Maverick

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Thanks @Maverick! I have been eyeing some of the foundations available from the assorted trusted members. I appreciate the link; I wasn’t sure who was a trustworthy source for some HD foam.

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Dont be shy about asking them questions. If you want their attention, just use the @prefix before their name. Or call them. They enjoy collaborating with MUGsters(TMU Subscribers) as they want to be certain they get it right.

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Hello EyeNeedSleep and welcome to the forums! I apologize but I don’t know enough about the 8" Texas Pocketed Coils to say whether or not they’re suitable for folks over 250 pounds, but I think your latex choices are spot on!

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Thank you for your input @Sleep_EZ

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@Sleep_EZ While I have your attention, I have been eyeing your Ironwood foundation and have a couple of questions. What is the weight limit? Would the optional legs offer enough support, or should it be partnered with the bedframe?

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The foundation will be perfectly supportive, but my advice is to get a metal bed frame for the foundation to rest on just to make sure you get the maximum support out of the foundation for your heights and weights.

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@Sleep_EZ Thank you again for your input!

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