Hello,
I am looking to upgrade to a King from a Queen mattress. I’m a man who is 5’6 weighing around 200lbs with broad shoulders. I currently have a Purple 2 Hybrid. I’m a side sleeper, primarily and the bed seems to support my back and hips pretty well, but I have developed significant shoulder and neck issues that cause pain daily. I considered getting another Purple with thicker comfort layers, but I would like to spend less than the $4000 those go for. I sleep very hot and memory foam mattresses are too hot for me. I have also tried a hybrid with 3” of dunlop latex and I feel that it felt pretty firm and did not give me significant pressure relief and may have been less helpful than the Purple. This all being said, I am considering getting a quality medium-firm or firm innerspring mattress and adding a more plush topper to achieve my desired combination of quality support and a softer comfort layer. I am considering things such as soft Talalay latex by itself or combined with a thinner wool or possibly down layer (have heard mixed experiences on whether down helps with temperature regulation) above the latex. Looking for some guidance or insight to help me understand if this is a good idea and what else there may to consider. To clarify, I’m looking for a setup that helps me stay cooler, ease the neck and shoulder pain I’m experiencing (have tried many different pillows and have just ordered a buckwheat pillow to try), and prevent back pain ( I have experienced this with mattresses that are both too firm and too plush). Thank you very much for your time.
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Hey Rumham13.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum 
From what you’ve described, it sounds like your current setup is doing a decent job supporting your hips and back, but your shoulders (and neck) aren’t getting the pressure relief they need. That’s super common for side sleepers with broader shoulders, especially if the comfort layer isn’t plush or contouring enough.
It makes sense that a firmer Dunlop latex topper didn’t help much as Dunlop tends to feel denser and less “huggy,” which isn’t always great for shoulder relief. Talalay latex, on the other hand, is softer and more responsive. A 2-3" soft Talalay topper could give you more contour at the shoulder without trapping heat like memory foam does.
Pairing that with a supportive innerspring base (something medium-firm to firm) could strike the right balance: support underneath, with enough plushness on top to ease pressure points. If you want to boost cooling and add a touch of softness, layering a thin wool topper on top of the latex might help without making things too firm. I’d probably skip down - some people (me) love it, but it can trap heat and flatten over time.
Also, it’s definitely worth looking at your pillow setup. Neck pain that sticks around despite mattress changes often comes down to pillow height or positioning. Buckwheat pillows can be great because they hold their shape and allow you to customize loft, but sometimes the issue is needing a bit more targeted neck support (like a cervical roll or a pillow with a contour).
Have you already checked out sites like DIYmattress.com or SleepEZ?
NikkiTMU
NikkiTMU,
Thanks for the reply! I feel like your explanation helps me validate this approach to figuring out the right mattress for me. I figured it may also give me a little more optionality if one topper doesn’t work out or my needs change over time. I’ll likely go with the talay soft and a pretty think wool topper, even 0.5" - 1" just to give it added softness and texture, just gotta figure out from where. I have looked at DIYmattress, SLeepEZ, Arizona Mattress and Latex mattress factory, I will probably narrow it down to those.
I have perpetually struggle with pillows and my neck. I have a tried a cervical roll and a Tempur Cervical one with the contour. I have mad mixed results with both. I have a tendency for my neck to curve forward during the night as though I’m trying to get in the fetal position and can sometimes end up in an awkward position with my head on the edge or off the pillow. I have recently seen someone recommend an L-shaped body pillow, which I may explore of the buckwheat doesn’t work out.
Thank you again for that detailed response!
Rumham13