DIY Latex Mattress Help - SUPER firm base layer

[phoenix]

Hi Eddie Bedder,

Honestly, I’ve seen virtually nothing in my research here or elsewhere about dealing with latex of that high an ILD so wanted to ask for some opinions. How thick and what ILD would I need on that to have a supportive, comfortable bed do you think?

There are too many unknowns, variables, and individual preferences involved to be able to use a formula or “theory at a distance” to choose the combination of layers that may be best for you but when you can’t test a specific mattress or combination of layers in person then your best odds of success would be based on more detailed conversations with either a manufacturer or a supplier of a material that is familiar with how it feels and performs in combination with other options they have because they are more familiar with it than anyone (see mattress firmness/comfort levels in post #2 here).

You would certainly have a “supportive” mattress no matter what you put on top of it but the biggest issue will be choosing a suitable comfort layer that provides you with good pressure relief.

mattresses.net is saying “For a side sleeper you will need at least 4” of “soft” #19 to #22 over these cores. I recommend two 2" #22 toppers. For what I consider to be a “medium” feel I would just add a 3" #19 topper or a 3" #28 topper for a firm feel."

Given Ken’s experience with the material and based on “averages” … I would say (not surprisingly) that his suggestions are good ones and I would use them as your guideline.

I’d probably need a medium-firm feel for my back. That’s what’s felt best in stores trying things out.

I would keep in mind that there is no specific definition for “medium firm” and that one retailer’s or manufacturer’s rating may be very different from the next and it may also vary from person to person. If you found out the specifics of a “medium firm” mattresses that felt best for you then it may provide some reference points but “medium firm” is really too subjective and vague to be of any specific use.

I realize there’s plenty of subjectivity involved but any idea on what the “least risky”, as Phoenix says, options might be? (I think I’ve liked talalay better, but haven’t ruled out dunlop necessarily.)

The choice between Talalay and Dunlop is really a matter of personal preference so there wouldn’t be any better or worse. The “least risky” option IMO wouldn’t be a matter of ILD (the suggestions you already have seem very reasonable to me) but one where you have exchange options after a purchase so you can use “best judgement” to make an initial choice to use as your reference point and then you can use your actual sleeping experience to change it if your initial combination turns out to be less than ideal.

I would also consider that the cover will make a difference in how the combination feels and performs.

Phoenix