Hi Starshine,
Occasionally, deep down, there’s a sense that things won’t quite align as expected. We all have our unique preferences and tolerances for handling unconventional situations.
In my experience, I typically opt for the most cost-effective approaches to tasks before considering more extravagant spending. Unfortunately, in this instance, my attempt to utilize the available components didn’t yield the budget-friendly results I had hoped for (it was a stretch, but sometimes thinking outside the box can produce some nice surprises). Ouch!
I was hoping that despite the 50ILD on top, the 28ILD would offer some room to easy the firmness, but the gap was apparently just too much.
I believe you are the right track with the 36ILD. It will still construct a fairly firm build. I must say caliper edge 6" 13.75g combined with the HD 36 and either the 1" or 1.5" create something very close to my Brooklyn Bedding Plank Luxe, which my wife and I find to be quite comfortable.
Just for reference, the Plank Luxe uses a 13.5g 6" support pocketed spring layers, 2" of 1.8lb HD 36 ILD foam and .75" 50ILD quilted cover. (it is a dual sided mattress with a slight modification on the standard firm side by adding 1" of response foam and doubling the quilted cover to 1.5" creating a 8-8.5/10 firmness level on that side, verses the 9-9.5/10 on the Firmer side, that we sleep on.
I am still not big on memory foams, as I have articulated in many posts before, when a layer(2-2.5" or more) of viscoelastic memory foam gets added to a mattress, that sinking swallowing quick sand affect kicks in. I would much rather see someone use a latex layer, micro coil layer or a polyfoam layer matched with an ILD that suits the sleepers needs.
The Quantum Edge coils might come in handy if the Caliber Edge create, yet again a mattress that is too firm. It may also allow for some increased contouring and pressure relief.
I welcome your feedback with the 36ILD over the 50’s or over the Coils. I have preference toward the coil combination as I believe that edge to edge coils provide superior support than foam. Although, I get a lot of critism for that philosophy. Some of that critism is well founded, but we all have our own personal preferences and it doesnt make the opposing thoughts incorrect.
I would keep the 1 and 1.5 memory foams on standby just in case a tiny bit of tweaking is in order. I would implore you give each build a chance. Certainly, as a matter of trial, the one that seems like an immediate winner, choose first.
Do not get discouraged if something is too firm early in the trial. It took my wife about 3 weeks to fully accommodation to the Plank Luxe. We often joke about the $400K Hasten’s Mattress, I should say, I often joke about it. I tell her, if this mattress doesnt work, the Hasten’s is next. She just calls me nuts and confirms she loves the Plank, and not to get my hopes up!
Good luck when it all comes together.
Maverick