Latex Topper Questions

[phoenix]

Hi rellwood,

I got the 3" queen size. I initially stretched a mattress pad over it and the mattress but I’m guessing that the topper added too much height because the pad had very little give. After only two weeks I noticed that the topper had definite signs of wear. In the spot where my hips sink in( I’m 6 feet tall, 250lbs and a strict side sleeper in the same spot on the bed) the topper seemed to lose its firmness, and little pucker wrinkles that remind me of a deflating balloon in the areas I laid on. I took off the pad and turned the topper to another side. I found that the topper held up a bit better when it wasn’t covered with the restrictive pad. I have had to turn and flip the topper three times now. I’m not sure if this is normal wear for it.

Yes … this would be normal for any softer foam …particularly with higher weights. As you mentioned the mattress pad could also be part of this … particularly if it’s waterproof and adding to the humidity in the topper which may affect the recovery time of the material with continuous compression. Dunlop latex also has natural variations in the firmness levels across the surface and from top to bottom as the result of using natural latex and the Dunlop method of manufacturing itself which is less consistent in terms of ILD (firmness/softness level) than Talalay.

Ok…what is the expectations in wear for a topper of this type and quality?

If it’s 100% natural Dunlop then after the initial break in period (in the range of 90 days or so) then you can expect it to maintain it’s properties for a very long period of time with only minimal impressions or further softening.

What brand mattress pad/cover should I buy to protect it that fits and still allows it to be springy?

I’m not sure if you are looking for a mattress protector (to protect the mattress from body oils and fluids and have the least effect on the “feel” of the mattress possible) or a mattress pad (which is designed more to change the feel and softness of the mattress although some of them can also be used as a protector as well) but assuming that you are looking for a mattress protector then post #89 here has more information about the different types that are available and the pros and cons of each.

Phoenix