Hi Phoenix,
Firstly, thank you so much for all the of the work you have put into educating us in finding the right mattress. In general finding a mattress is a big task for me because of my slight size. They feel either too firm or too soft because I don’t weigh enough to penetrate the “comfort” top layer. After studying your website for several days I have decided that a talalay latex mattress would probably be best for me.
I’m 26 years old, 5’3, weigh 105 lbs, hips 34", waist 24", 36.5" shoulder circumference (8" from spine to shoulder) and have scoliosis (S-curve) so, back pain is an every day issue (especially right shoulder and neck, and stiffness in lower back). I sleep on my side, back, and stomach. Some nights exclusively on my back, some nights half side/half back, and some nights 40% back / 40% side / 20% stomach. My husband is 5’9, 170 lbs, and can sleep on any surface quite comfortably.
My physical therapist said I should look for a mattress that “opens” my upper back and definitely avoid mattresses that make my shoulders go forward when I lay on them, but also have the proper support for my lower back and hips. This creates the dilemma of firm enough to open my back but soft enough to be able to sleep on the side.
I am located in Los Angeles. Yesterday I went to a store in Burbank you recommended in one of your posts. (electropedicbeds.com) The mattresses that I liked were:
- regular firm 7" (6" of talalay 32 ILD + 1/2" quilting on each side)
- regular firm 9" (6" of 32 ILD core with 1" of 24 on each side + 1/2" quilting on each side)
- extra firm 9" (6" of 36 ILD core with 1" of 24 on each side + 1/2" quilting on each side)
I also tried the mattresses with the 6" core and 2" of 24 ILD and I completely “hammocked” in the top layer, my shoulders moved significantly forward (hunched my back).
They are all 2 sided, however, the prices are a bit out of my range: $1500 for the 7" and $1800 for the 9". Although we might be willing to pay it if it’s a good value and something with slight alterations would feel significantly different. It was difficult to find another place that offers just 1" layer, most offer 2" and 3".
The manager said that they only carry blended latex (30% synthetic, 70% natural) because it’s more durable than 100% natural latex.
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I asked for the density of the foam that they use and they could only provide me with ILDs. Would the feel be consistent with same ILDs in 100% natural and/or 60/40 blend?
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I asked for the density of the foam at the Burbank store and they could only provide me with ILDs. If I found another couple of places online (Brooklyn Bedding and mygreenmattress from your suggested lists) that could do similar mattresses, though their quilting is a bit thicker. Does a 32 ILD of blended latex feel the same as a 32 ILD of 100% natural latex? How would a 70/30 blend compare to a 60/40?
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Would I be able to feel a difference between a solid 6" 32 ILD and two 3" 32 ILD pieces?
I would really appreciate any input you have!!!
(A side note: paramountmatt.com doesn’t make Latex mattresses I don’t know if they stopped making them since you talked to them or misinformed you.)