Dunlop above Talalay?

Mattress Talk General Mattresses Questions
1

thanks everyone who has participated on my journey thus far

210lb, 5’11, side/back with degenerative disc disease, so a very temperamental back, and a torn right shoulder labrum (and a repaired acl/meniscus left knee, but whos counting right!)

i’d been thinking that i need a firmer mattress, so i went with two 3" 34ILD dunlops (SOL) with a 3" 28ILD blended talalay (APM) top

i still was feeling some shoulder and back discomfort, which was pretty unhappy about since i felt this was going to be THE configuration for me based on everything here

so a few nights ago, i folded the talalay in half to sleep on it one night making a 34d/28t/28t and while that was comfy, it didnt go well, i think mainly due to the folded edge and i sub consciously avoided it. idk, i may revisit, but i moved quickly off it after one night

i happen to have a 20ILD dunlop (SOL) in twin on my guest bed, threw it on top of my side on a whim. first it felt WAY too soft, but i said hell, i’ll give it a go (so 34d/34d/28t/20d)

VOILA! i’ve now woke up both nights with minimal/no back pain, and nothing in the shoulders!

so the questions are thus:

  • I plan to see if this can be done in a 3 layer situation, so 34d/28t/20d vs the current 34d/34d/28t/20d, this in theory should only firm up the bed since i’ll be one layer closer to the bed frame right?

  • can i substitute 20ILD talalay instead, as i do like the feel of it better, or will that sink too much completely changing what good i have

  • has anyone ever thrown dulop over talalay and had some success?

  • help me make sense of why this configuration is working. i’ve always been told i need firm, and have always avoided soft, but it seems like latex is the wonder material: soft AND supportive?

thanks all who contribute to make this such a wonderful place!

2

Hey datrumole,

Nice to see you back on the forum :slight_smile: !

[quote]i happen to have a 20ILD dunlop (SOL) in twin on my guest bed, threw it on top of my side on a whim. first it felt WAY too soft, but i said hell, i’ll give it a go (so 34d/34d/28t/20d)

VOILA! i’ve now woke up both nights with minimal/no back pain, and nothing in the shoulders!
[/quote]

This is great news, datrumole :slight_smile: ! So happy to learn that you’re solving the A’s & P’s riddle and are finally finding better sleep! Let’s review your questions now, shall we?

[quote]so the questions are thus:
•

  • I plan to see if this can be done in a 3 layer situation, so 34d/28t/20d vs the current 34d/34d/28t/20d, this in theory should only firm up the bed since i’ll be one layer closer to the bed frame right?
    • [/quote]

    There shouldn’t be any discernable difference in firmness feel from removing one 34 ILD dunlop layer and getting closer to the bed frame. What could make a difference in feel would be the type of foundation you’re using. Generally speaking, proper foundations for latex mattresses require a flat surface capable of supporting the latex’s weight evenly across the foundation’s surface. Platform bed bases, slatted bed frames with slat spacing of 3-3.5", and adjustable bed bases are commonly used solutions. The simple solution would be to test your theory by removing one of the 34 ILD layers and see how its removal feels to you.

    [quote]• <li>can i substitute 20ILD talalay instead, as i do like the feel of it better, or will that sink too much completely changing what good i have</li>[/quote]

    Changing to Talalay latex will provide a more “uplifting” feel than the denser Dunlop foam. It may feel softer, but you wouldn’t necessarily sink into it more.

    [quote]· <li>has anyone ever thrown dulop over talalay and had some success?</li>[/quote]

    Layering Dunlop latex over Talalay has been discussed here previously, as has layering memory foam over Talalay/ Dunlop combinations. It’s helpful to remember that while Dunlop latex works well either as a support material or comfort layer, Talalay latex is used most often as a comfort material, due to its higher production costs. There are no hard and fast rules on whether Talalay latex has to be the topmost comfort layer, it is all about what feels best to you.

    [quote]· <li>help me make sense of why this configuration is working. i've always been told i need firm, and have always avoided soft, but it seems like latex is the wonder material: soft AND supportive?</li>

    thanks all who contribute to make this such a wonderful place!
    [/quote]

    Indeed; you have summarized latex’s unique qualities well: “latex is the wonder material: soft AND supportive”. There is no magic formula for your build’s success; rather, you have found the ideal combination of support and comfort for your unique personal preferences. Great job on your DIY mattress datrumole! Thanks so much for your kind words on the site, and please keep us updated when you can on whatever tweaks you may try as your experiments continue :wink: .

    Sensei