Latex topper recs? Innerspring underneath, larger sleeper

[phoenix]

Hi aldickinson,

The mattress will mostly be slept upon by a tall and heavyish (200#) person, for about 4 weeks per year. I’m not sure whether she’s a back or a side sleeper, but she does have sciatica issues.

Her sleeping position would certainly make a difference because side sleepers generally need thicker softer layers than back sleepers.

1. Based on what I’ve seen, I probably want a Dunlop-processed latex topper with ILD >20, for the extra firmness under a heavy body and extra support over the breadth of the mattress. Does that sound right?

I would treat the choice between Talalay and Dunlop as a preference issue more than a “better worse” issue for any weight … especially with a topper. While Dunlop may feel firmer than Talalay in the same ILD … they both are available with a wide range of ILD’s so a Talalay topper can also be firmer than a Dunlop topper that has a lower ILD. There is more about the difference in “feel” between them in post #7 here.

2. Given the extra weight, do I need to go with a 3" topper, or will 2" still do?

This will depend on her sleeping position, weight distribution, and her preferences (and mostly on how much more softness and pressure relief the mattress needs based on her own perceptions). The topper guidelines in post #2 here though and the post it links to will help you guess which thickness and ILD you think she would do best with (and I would ask her about her sleeping positions before you buy it). It also links to a list of some of the better topper sources I’m aware of.

If you don’t know or can’t find out then the odds are higher that she would be a side sleeper than a back sleeper (more people sleep on their side than any other position) and given that there is only about 2" of foam in the mattress (assuming that’s correct) and her larger body size then a 3" topper may have better odds of success.

3. I’ve looked through this list of topper retailers, and quite like the spindle factory for price. Is there any reason why their toppers seem to be so much cheaper than many of the others’, even with comparable specs?

Outside of any differences between different retailers or manufacturers based on different business models … it would depend on which of their toppers you are looking at (they have both synthetic latex and 100% natural latex) (NOTE ADDED: they now only sell 100% natural). Synthetic latex is less costly than natural latex and Dunlop is less costly than Talalay in the same blend. (Note: Spindle is now only using 100% natural continuous pour Dunlop in their mattresses)

Phoenix