Looking for a Mattress Topper Needle in a Haystack

Mattress Talk
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Hi all,

I’ve had chronic inflammation for the past five years that causes back and neck problems. We went through a few mattress selections and then pillows and mattress toppers to match up back when the pain started. I finally found the combo I can tolerate. My issue is the mattress topper we have was my husband’s from college and it’s starting to show its age (15+ years). I’ve been trying to find an exact replacement and it feels like a never-ending quest, so I was hoping the experts here might be able to help me think of a solution.

Happy to provide any additional information I can. Some stats I have off hand:

It definitely feels like a high density than a “standard” memory foam topper. From my calculation, it’s right around 2.5 lbs density (about 8 lbs heavy with dimensions of 51" x 73" x 1.5")

As just noted, it’s 1.5" thick, which seems to be not as common these days.

It’s slightly yellow in color (I don’t know if this is just how it aged or natural/original)

When I push my hand into it, it takes a little time to rebound, but not as long as some of the conventional memory foams with gel toppers I’ve tried.

Appreciate any and all insights in advance. It feels like I’m searching for a miracle answer.

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Hi Sleepylorlor,

Welcome to the MattressUnderGround, we are glad to have you here.

The first thing that comes to mind before we delve into figuring out how to find you a suitable replacement of you beloved topper, is the age of your current one.

It’s possible for a memory foam topper to lose weight or density over time, especially after 15 years of use. Memory foam, like many materials, can break down and lose its original characteristics due to factors such as compression from body weight, exposure to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and simply aging.

Case in point, I purchased a Tempurpedic Neck pillow back in 1993, just about the time soon after they hit the market. I purchased 2 new ones in 2017. Supposedly, according to Tempurpedic, the new ones were the exact same formula as the original, as a matter of fact, they told me, it was the only product they sell that was exactly the same formula as the original, with new products reformulated to be less dense, less heat absorbing and somewhat softer then the original formula.

I mention this because when comparing the newly purchased pillows, (now 7 years old) verses the original from 1993 almost 31 years old, there is no comparison in the firmness, density and weight of the two.

As products degrade over time, our senses adapt to those changes, and because this happens over a longer period, the subtle changes tend to go unnoticed, in the case of a topper or pillow, your body starts to exhibit pain in areas that were previously not there, due to no fault of your aging body. The materials have degraded, become softer and your body begins to reject it.

The problem lies in our ability to have know when the most significant change in the pillow or topper had occurred. Was it at the 5 year point, 10 or 15. This makes it very hard to duplicate what we once loved as weighing the material is not accurate, finding the same formula in a current product would certainly be challenging and remembering when it felt best it a time long passed. Even the size of your topper is a bit off. The closest mattress is a full size base on the numbers you have provided.

Off the top of my head, this topper would be one I am familiar with and closest in their 2" that immediately comes to mind.

It’s important to consider how the comfort of your current topper might have changed over the years. The feel you’re accustomed to now may not accurately reflect what made the topper comfortable when it was new.

It is certainly possible that your topper was originally 1.5 inches thick, but it’s also worth considering that it may have been thicker initially (such as 2 inches) and has compressed, degraded, or shrunk over time due to various factors.

My suggestion is to purchase a new topper as similar you “think” is the one you have now, but treat it as a fresh start. Use this new topper as your benchmark to gauge comfort and performance. If it feels too soft or doesn’t quite meet your expectations, you can explore options like a firmer topper or one with a higher density.

Even if you knew the exact make and model of your current topper, the reality is that a new one will naturally feel different due to changes in its characteristics over time. Embracing this trial-and-error approach will likely be the most effective way to find a replacement that suits your needs.

Best of luck with your search!

Maverick

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Hi Maverick,

Thank you so much for your time and thoughtful response. Fortunately, my current topper hasn’t started to create any pain issues. It’s more the opposite problem - it’s the only one I’ve been able to find that doesn’t cause muscle pain, nerve pain or a headache due to spine alignment on the topper when I go to sleep on my side.

Density and the “sink” feeling seem to be key and I haven’t been able to find a new topper that pairs those two characteristics from my current topper with the trial and error I’ve done so far, but I hadn’t heard of the one you sent over, so I will definitely give it a try and see!

Thanks again, it is very much appreciated.

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My misunderstanding, I though when you stated it was showing its age, I took it to mean it was causing an issue. The facts of deterioration of a foam are still in play though. If you had an exact twin of that topper that was never used and sealed in an air tight bag, you would find that the characteristics of them side by side would be different, specifically pointing at the 15 year old used one verses the never used one.

I do understand what your goal is. Perhaps that one I pointed out will do the trick.

Maverick

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I purchased the 2.5" gel swirl mattress topper you recommended and it’s by far the closest I’ve found yet but it’s not quite right. It’s comfortable enough for an hour or two at a time, but when attempting to sleep on it all night, I wake up with pain. It has a little too much sink in and isn’t quite firm enough, so my hips sink in too far causing issues with my lower back when laying on my back and my spine comes out of alignment when sleeping on my side. I’ve noticed for the 10+ memory foam and gel foam toppers I’ve tried so far that they all seem to have a more “porous” design with a lot more holes versus my current topper. Not sure if I should try a higher density or perhaps a different ILD rating.

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They have a free 30 day return policy, perhaps their 4lb memory foam if you dont like the titanflex which is a latex alternative memory foam. The titanflex will do a better job in keeping your hips from sinking.

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I saw the return policy, which is awesome! I will look into those two options as well, thank you again! I greatly appreciate it.

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@sleepylorlor

I suggest a thorough examination of the foundation. Often times a failing foundation causes hip pain. It’s always best to inspect from the ground up when comfort changes.

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We have a new adjustable frame that’s only a few years old and my hips are great with my current setup, but my back and spine are struggling trying to find a replacement for my really old mattress topper I haven’t been able to find a replacement for. Our mattress alone is too firm for me but works for my husband so I put the topper just on my half.

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We have 2" soft Dunlop latex toppers from LMF on two (extremely firm) traditional mattresses and really like them. That was after 15 years on memory foam.

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Update: I got the 4lb memory foam topper from MattressTopper 4-lb. Memory Foam Topper - Mattress Topper which customer support says is a 11 ILD.

This is the closest to my Goldilocks topper that I’m looking to replace, but it’s not quite there. It’s a little too soft/too much “sink” into. I didn’t notice it the first or second night, but after a few nights I ended up with back and hip pain with an irritated nerve steadily getting worse.

The material seems like a great comparable to the one I currently have and the 1.5" - 2" thickness seems like the right fit. The 4lb definitely seems heavier than my current topper but isn’t a deal breaker if anyone has a suggestion for one that might have a (higher I think is the way I need to go?) ILD for more support for my spine as a side sleeper.

Thanks again for all the advice so far!

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sleepylorlor-- I think I have the same old topper that you love! 1.5", yellowish- which has darkened with age. I have 2, purchased in the 1990s. One has the appearance of being flat on top but has square cuts, the other is zoned with different sized square areas- probably not the best description! I know that 1 was purchased at Sam’s Club, the other may have been from Kaufmann’s (division of Macy’s). They are not egg crate.
I would also LOVE to replace mine with the same foam! Please let me know where you are in your search :slight_smile:

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1990s sounds about right. Mine isn’t zoned or cut, but I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes. I have continued my search. I tried the Silk & Snow organic topper - that material is definitely not a good match, much too firm. It feels like sleeping directly on top of my actual mattress.

I think I’ve narrowed the material down to the Tempur-pedic brand. It has the same density (around 2.5 lbs) when I weight it and divide by the volume and looks the same, minus the coloring (which might just be age). I can’t find Tempur-pedic in 1.5" width, but they do have 2". I tried the Tempur-Pedic Tempur -Cloud 2-Inch Mattress Topper, which is too soft/I “sink in” too much and it takes much longer to spring back than my current topper. I just received the Serenity by Tempur-Pedic 2+1 Pillowtop Mattress Topper from Amazon which feels a lot more similar to what I currently have. Haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but I can keep you posted if you’re interested.

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Good luck- I don’t actually see the Serenity topper on Amazon. Keep us posted!

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Oh, sorry, the Serenity one is from Costco.

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Yes, Costco sells the serenty. I had one of their original ones, but we ended up giving it to a friend. 3" of hot sinking quick sand, that certainly offered pressure relief, but it was like the “hotel california” once you got in, it did not want you to leave. You felt stuck in the topper and could not move.

I suppose for some, there could be a benefit, and others, they will not like the swallowing quick and sauna. I have been told by other MUGsters (subscribers here at TMU) and on Reddit that the new Serenity formula is not as dense or responsive as the original one I bought some years ago.

Serenty toppers available at Costco

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I went with the 2" as 3" seemed like too much. And the sinking quicksand is exactly the issue I had with the one from Amazon but a lot of people in reviews on Costco complained the 2" Serenity was of lower quality material that didn’t feel like traditional Tempur-pedic which I actually saw as a plus lol. Still trying it out though. It’s not a perfect replacement but certainly a firmer/more comfortable support for me versus the 2" cloud, which felt exactly like quicksand.

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If you’re looking for a memory foam topper but dislike that sinking feeling, I’d recommend considering the Malouf topper that I’ve highlighted here. It’s a memory foam latex alternative, so it avoids that typical sink-in sensation and remains cool throughout the night—features that might be just what you’re looking for.

When I purchased my Plank Luxe mattress, I wanted something very firm, not hard, yet comfortable. It hit the mark perfectly, though my wife needed a bit of time to adjust from our old, failing Sealy Posturepedic mattress of 11 years.

To help her acclimate more quickly, the authorized BB dealer sent us a topper (less than the required 30 days after purchase, which was a pleasant surprise). By the time the topper arrived, she had already adapted to the new mattress, but we added it anyway. At 250 lbs at the time, I didn’t find it made much of a difference, but my wife did notice the contouring benefit. Although by that point, she commented she was fine with or without it.

We ended up keeping the topper on, mainly because I believe toppers can extend the life of a mattress. Eventually, I got curious and decided to try a 3" organic wool-filled topper just to experience and comment on it firsthand. While it was a bit of an indulgence, it did offer some additional benefits.

In short, if you’re concerned about sinking and overheating, but like the benefit of memory foam pressure relief and contouring, the Malouf topper could be a great fit for you.

We’ve decided to stick with our wool topper and wool duvet, creating a layer of wool both above and below us as we sleep. This setup has been fantastic for maintaining a cool sleep environment overall. The wool manages to keep the firmness of the mattress while also providing a bit of contouring to fit the curves of our bodies. It’s a great balance of support and comfort. So now the malouf topper has found a home it the extra bedroom in the basement.

Next, I may venture into a 2" talalay latex topper to place under the wool, to see how that affects the set up. I just need to swap out my 9" box spring, for a low profile 5" one, as the one complaint my wife has it that the mattress sits a bit high off the floor and needs yoga blocks to climb into the bed, LOL.

Hopefully, your topper works out in the end, but if it doesnt, there are other alternatives.

Maverick

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UPDATE: still no luck sadly

I think I’ve narrowed my old topper down to Tempur-pedic material but it’s an old formula that seems obsolete. I tried the old Serenity topper at Costco over the weekend at a friend’s place that seemed to be comparable (the old 3" blue one, not the new formula white one), but they don’t seem to make that one anymore. The current 2" Serenity at Costco doesn’t have enough “sink” feel to it and the Tempur-pedic 2" Cloud topper has too much sink. I’m trying to find a topper that’s a balance between the two of anyone has any suggestions.

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You might want to reach out to @BackScience. They produce the Tempflow mattress, crafted from the original viscoelastic memory foam, while still preserving that signature quality. They may also offer a topper that uses the same formula as the denser original viscoelastic memory foam. @BackScience should be able to provide more details on that!

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