Hi there. I have no previous experience in latex mattresses but am interested for all latex for our next mattress purchase. What I am struggling with is whether to pursue zoning. I live in Canada and it doesn’t seem like there are many options in all-latex - only ones at really high price points. I am struggling with shoulder pain and often low back pain with my current old memory foam mattress. Sometimes side sleeper but I used to be a stomach sleeper years ago, and realistically I mostly sleep in a position that is between my side and stomach with a couple pillows shoved underneath to get enough support. Nothing is fully comfortable. I have measured my hip and shoulder differentials with my back and waist and they are about 3". I’m about 125 pounds. 2" lumbar gap, I think? Never been comfortable lying straight on my back.
I’ve read the articles/posts about zoned support but I’m still not sure if it is worth searching out, or should I consider a zoned topper if whatever we purchase still doesn’t work? Or should I just move on to a hybrid coils/latex since there may be more options I can try out in store? How do I figure out if zoned is right for me?
Hi, We have made zoned latex mattresses in the past, and most people found that the added cost wasn’t worth it. We had two nearly identical models. One with zoning and one without. 98% of people went with the non-zoned model. There’s also a wide range of zoning options, and many are so minimal you may not even notice. I would characterize most zoned toppers that way.
You also may be sleeping this way because of your mattress, and a new mattress may let you sleep in a better position that doesn’t require zoning. Latex is a fundamentally different product from memory foam. Memory foam is an absorbent foam that draws you in, while latex is an elastic material that feels soft to the touch but still provides strong support. Overall, it’s a much better balance for most side sleepers.
Not an expert, but I went through something similar — tried an all-latex build and found it way too firm/rigid for my frame, even though I liked the latex feel itself. Ended up moving toward a coil-based build with a latex comfort layer instead, partly because unzoned all-latex felt too uniform/pushback-y for my shape.
Given your 3" differential and that you’re kind of a combo side/stomach sleeper, zoning (or a hybrid where the coils can do some of that contouring) might matter more for you than it would for someone sleeping flat on their back. Curious what MFC says though, since they’ll have the actual technical answer on whether zoning vs. a topper vs. hybrid makes more sense for your numbers.
Stomach / Side Combos are the most difficult people to fit as they typically require opposite levels of support and comfort. Ideally you pick one or the other and base your mattress decision around that. If you don’t think you’re sleeping style will change with a mattress, a properly zoned coil would probably give the best chance of fitting the current sleeping style. A zoned latex topper would have the lowest chance of accomplishing what they want IMO. Depending on their priorities, a Medium-Firm all-latex mattress has worked for people in similar situations before.