Hi jethrodesign,
I would tend to focus on the simplest solutions possible rather than more complex combinations that can be even more difficult to predict and if you do decide to go in the direction of multiple toppers then I would take a more incremental approach and purchase one at a time and then use your experience on that topper as a guideline for any additional toppers that you decide to purchase.
In one of your posts you mentioned liking the Pure Latex Bliss topper or at least thinking it was OK and just as a frame of reference the PLB toppers are in the range of about 14 - 15 ILD or so.
Blended Talalay latex is less dense than 100% natural Talalay and in the same ILD would normally be a little more pressure relieving than 100% natural Talalay which would be a little more “supportive”. For most people an ILD difference of about 3 or less would make very little difference and 3 ILD is inside the tolerance of the manufacturing process itself because latex doesn’t come in exact ILD and there is usually a range of ILD’s across the surface of a layer that are “averaged out” to produce the firmness rating (seehereforanexampleofhowthehttps://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/0https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/1https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/2https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/3https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/4https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/5https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/6https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/7https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/8https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/966/NewRadiumILD1_2014-04-17.gif]see0aboutthedifferencesbetwee100%naturalTalalayhttps://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/0https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/1https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/2https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/3https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/4https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/5https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/6
[quote]So as a very hopeful experiment, I put the 2" blended latex inside the mattress on the springs, and squeezed the 3" 19ILD natural latex that was in the mattress into the topper. I thought that this HAD to be the soft, pressure relieving solution I’ve been searching so long for.
But it’s just still not there 
It’s softer than it was, but I still get some hip pain which causes me to toss & turn, and my back issues possibly feel a bit worse, not better. Pretty bummed after all the time & money spent so far.[/quote]
If a topper is compressed into a tighter cover then the precompression can result in a slightly firmer topper. Even though having 5" of soft latex in your comfort layers would normally feel soft for most people … it may be that you need something softer yet because each person is different. With lighter body weights a material will tend to feel firmer than the same material will feel for someone that is heavier.
I would be very cautious about continuously adding additional toppers on top of what you already have and increasing the thickness of your softer comfort layers. As you increase the thickness of softer layers there is a higher risk of sleeping out of alignment which can make lower back issues worse even though they can help with pressure relief … at least to a point. The challenge is always to find the right balance so that you have “just enough” thickness/softness to relieve pressure and isolate you from the firmness of the deeper layers and components but not so much that the heavier parts of your body sink down too far and compromise alignment.
[quote]Now wondering about trying memory foam topper instead?!? I’ve slept on one when I go home for vacation, and while not perfect, I do sleep pretty soundly and don’t get as much pressure point pain. I’m not sure the specs on it, but think it’s 3". Probably not top-of-the-line. It feels relatively firm at first, but then I sink in. Once settled, it’s comfortable and I sleep pretty sound. But when having to roll over in night, I HATE how difficult it is.
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So have been wondering about trying the Aerus memory foam topper. Is anyone familiar with this or can offer feedback?
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I’m looking at this as it’s supposed to be a bit cooler (I’m in SoCal), and hoping it might be a bit softer too. Would prefer a soft memory foam if possible. If I prefer soft & less of a slow response, should I look at the 3lb instead of 4lb??
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Is the Aerus a specific branded foam that I would be safe purchasing from most reputable retailers?? Reason asking, is that I do see something called Aerus with similar specs selling at places like Wallmart or Amazon online, and pretty affordable. Wondering if they might even be easier to return with then most foam factories? Opinions???[/quote]
The choice of materials would be a preference choice because all materials will come in softer and firmer versions. Some people like the feel or one material and others will prefer the feel of a different material. This wouldn’t be a “better/worse” choice.
Aerus is a brand name for a family of memory foams that come in a range of density levels and isn’t a single product. While any density of memory foam can have a wide range of different properties and firmness levels … in very general terms lower densities will tend to have a faster response with less of the “doughy” and “memory” effect and a faster response than higher density memory foams and will tend to feel a little softer … at least when you first lie on them before the memory foam warms up. There is more about the different properties of memory foam in post #9 here and in post #8 here.
There are so many different versions of memory foam on the market that have different properties, densities, and firmness levels (either initially or after they have warmed up with body heat) that the most reliable way to know how a memory foam topper you are considering compares to others would be a conversation on the phone with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that sells them and who will be more familiar with their memory foam than anyone else and will be able to help you compare them to other memory foam toppers that they are familiar with. Perhaps most importantly of all I would also look for a good return/exchange policy so that if a topper you purchase doesn’t turn out as well as you hope for that you still have good options available after a purchase to exchange or return it because the only way to know for certain how any topper will feel for you in combination with the rest of your sleeping system will be your own personal experience.
Because a topper can be easily replaced the density and durability may not be as important an issue as it would be inside a finished mattress and it may be worth considering memory foam in a density range as low as 3 lbs for the sake of cost if it has the firmness and the specific properties that you would prefer even though it would be less durable than higher density memory foams.
If you do decide to try a memory foam topper then something in the range of 2" on top of your 3" latex layer inside the mattress would probably be where I would start to see how that works for you in terms of PPP and then I would use your experience on this combination to decide whether you need any additional changes.
Adding an inch of latex on top of memory foam can add to the resilience of your sleeping surface and reduce the amount of motion restriction that can go with sleeping directly on memory foam. It will also reduce the amount of heat that reaches the memory foam so depending on how temperature sensitive the memory foam is it can also “firm up” the memory foam or at least slow down the time it takes for it to become softer with body heat. If you only have a 2" layer of memory foam though I would start with this because with only 2" and with latex underneath it you may find that it will be OK for you and that it won’t be as motion restricting as a thicker or denser memory foam topper. I would always take a “one step at a time” approach when you are adding layers or toppers.
Phoenix