260 +/- 5 lb. side sleeper. Current mattress 2 3 inch firm (36 ILD) Dunlop support layers, 3 inch medium Talalay comfort layer. This configuration was recommended by a leading online retailer. My question is, if I add a topper for a little softer feel, will I lose some of the support because it would now be further away, or am I thinking about it wrong?
2 Likes
Hi botn,
Here is my take on it, but @Arizona_Premium, @Sleep_EZ do these configurations all the time.
My answer would be, not necessarily. With 2 -3” support layers of equal firmness (even though one 6” layer is slightly different than two 3” layers of the same exact foam ILD and density) your comfort layer is 3” of Talalay.
Adding a softer 2” topper to your current mattress setup can increase plushness and pressure relief, particularly for the shoulders and hips, which is beneficial for side sleeping. Since your base already consists of two firm Dunlop layers performing as your support layer, that support will remain in place even with a topper above.
However, at your weight, a topper that is too soft or too thick could allow you to sink in too far, which might reduce the effectiveness of the support layers by delaying their engagement and potentially compromising spinal alignment. To soften the feel without losing meaningful support, a topper that is around 1 to 2 inches thick with a soft to medium-soft firmness, such as 19 to 24 ILD, is generally a safe choice. This approach offers added comfort while keeping the supportive qualities of your mattress intact.
One problem that sometimes arise, is adding too much foam above the support layer. When you get to that 6” or more above the support layer, it can sometimes prevent the support layer being engaged at all, and your comfort layer ends up doubling as a comfort and support layer. With the addition of the 2” topper, you are at a 5” comfort layer and should be fine, given your weight.
As a general rule, 1-2” of topper will soften or maintain a mattress comfort. 3” or more can subsequently change the feel of the overall of the mattress.
Hope this helps, and hopefully one of the Latex experts will chime in with their thoughts.
Maverick
1 Like