"Major" Brands Sealy Optimum?

[phoenix]

Hy Dymnd,

I have had my Optimum Radiance for almost 2 weeks, and am definitely finding it too firm… especially when I sleep on my side (since i wake up with achy shoulder/slightly tingly arms). The support (when I do sleep on my back/stomach) is actually quite refreshing after the “hammock” of the S&F Estate Plush mattress I tried previously. I am “counting the days” for this to finish softening to see if ultimately the side-sleeping issue will diminish, yet I am not too hopeful. I can pass along from experience that one should use only the thinnnest of mattress pads (e.g., the Protect-A-Bed), since trying to use the thicker padded types defeat the ability of the memory foam to be able to effectively conform to your body due to the extra surface tension created by the mattress pad thereby making the mattress firmer (which, in my case, isn’t a good thing).

You probably have a little way to go before your mattress finishes going through any initial softening but as you mention this may not bring you into the pressure relieving range that you need (especially on your side). I also agree with you about the importance of surface tension and thinner or more stretchy mattress protectors will have less effect on the feel of the mattress than thicker or less stretchy protectors. Thicker mattress protectors(regardless of how stretchy they are) which can also have a much bigger “firming” effect on temperature sensitive foams than on other types of foam.

Do you know if anyone offers a 1-1/2" “phase change” memory foam topper? I do like the surface coolness of the Optimum. Yet, I definitely miss the soft-touch of the previous thick comfort layers I enjoyed, so would like my topper to have a lower (?) ILD while not compromising support. I had found the 4" middle comfort layer" too thick, and went instead with the 2" middle comfort layer (of the Radiance), whicih I am obviously finding too thin. HAPPY MEDIUM WANTED!

There are 3 different types of cooling technologies used in a mattress (which you can read about at the end of post #4 here) and of the three … phase change materials can have more of an effect when they are further away from the body than the other two (heat conductive materials and humidity and temperature controlling materials) so all of the cooling benefits of the phase change materials won’t be lost with a topper.

I took a look at your recommendations for local manufacturers, and wonder if there are any in the general Nashville, TN area where I might try to find an appropriate topper? (obviously, it would be great to be able to feel/try) Otherwise, I note the online manufacturers you recommended in post #4:

A topper will feel differently on different layers below it so testing a topper on a different mattress won’t necessarily provide you with an accurate idea of what the same topper will feel like on a different mattress.

Because of your focus on temperature and on some extra softness (should it be necessary after a little longer break in period) … I would tend to focus on a memory foam topper that is more breathable or uses some form of gel (either phase change or thermal conductive) … both of which will sleep cooler. Your idea about a thinner layer would also be a good idea because the more you sink into softer surface layers the more insulating a foam will be.

So I would be looking for a 4 or 5 lb memory foam topper (4 lb will tend to be softer) in the thickness range you are suggesting (maximum 2"). ILD is not really meaningful in memory foam because it’s softness is subject to time, heat, and humidity all of which will change the ILD of the memory foam. When you talk with a memory foam supplier … I would tell them you are looking for a faster response memory foam that is less temperature sensitive (doesn’t take as much time to soften), is breathable or cooling, and is in the softer range relative to other types of memory foam. This will give them the information they need to help you make your best choice. Gel memory foams that have the gel mixed with the memory foam as a liquid rather than particles are likely to be stronger and more durable than either particulate gel foam or a non gel memory foam of the same density (so lower than 4 lbs in this case would likely be less risky in terms of durability).

If you look a little further down in the same Post #4 which lists some suppliers … you will find some sources of gel memory foam (and other gel foams) in addition to the sources of memory foam without gel.

Phoenix