Hi Barnaby,
That’s quite a range of suggestions in terms of layering.
You will find that there is a wide range of “recommendations” among different manufacturers … and the most challenging part is that all of them are “right” to some degree. Each has their own set of preferences and design theories that works for a wide range of people. Different combinations of layer thickness, type of latex, ILD, and layering arrangements can also have a similar “net effect” even if the specifics of the layers individually are somewhat different.
To “narrow down” the choices more effectively is generally a matter of a combination of your own personal local testing (using mattresses with known layering as a reference point) and providing each manufacturer with good information which of course includes the basics such as your height/weight/body type and sleeping positions but also more in depth information about things like any preferences or challenges you may have had or things that “bother” you or you have liked in other mattresses that you have slept on over the years. Information about the mattress you are currently using and what you liked and disliked about it both originally and now, any problem areas you experience when you sleep (pressure points, back issues, health issues etc), and any other relevant information are also important parts of helping each manufacturer help you to the best of their ability. The quality of the information you provide them and their knowledge of how all the layers and components in their specific mattresses interact together and their experience with many customers who may be similar to you will all be part of choosing the final design at each manufacturer.
There is more than just the foam in a mattress and there are also different combinations that can lead to similar results which is why I generally recommend some good conversations with each manufacturer. You will tend to get a “feel” for which one seems to relate to your specific needs and preferences the most closely and can tell you the “why” behind their suggestions. When you are making choices between two “competing” designs … the “devil” is often in the details rather than the more general specs that you have given.
So without this type of a long and much more detailed conversation (which for me would generally take some time on the phone over one or more conversations as new questions arise), more detailed information about someone’s body type and sleeping positions, and without having a specific mattress that needs to be “matched” to a particular person, preferences and conversation … my role is really limited more to providing general guidelines (in the mattresses section here) that can be used as a starting point and help you ask more meaningful questions to each manufacturer and help them to help you better.
In general terms though … for many but not all people … much of the “feel” of a mattress is in the upper layers and much of the alignment and support qualities of a mattress are in the deeper layers. The comfort and feel is more connected to pressure relief and the support/alignment is more connected to avoiding muscle tension and back issues over the course of the night.
So here is the general approach I would take …
First I would make the choice about what I wanted to use in the top layer (the TBD part). This will have a big effect on what may work best in the layers below it.
Decide if this top layer is to be added as a topper or as part of the mattress (where this is available).
Then with this information … you can begin to decide how you will interact with this layer and the layer below it (which will be your comfort layers because you are heavier and your comfort layer will have an “effective” thickness of more than 3") and then what you may need in the layers below this to help you adapt to different sleeping positions and “stop” the heavier parts of your body to keep you in alignment will become more clear.
In the case of Flobeds … this top layer will generally be the 2" convolute so in this case the rest of the mattress can take this into account unless you plan to add the Talalay GL as a topper. They also offer other top layers on request.
In the case of the SleepEz and Arizona Premium, this top layer can be selected to various degrees either as a topper or as the top layer of the mattress so this too will help determine what goes under it.
In some cases some people that are heavier prefer thicker comfort layers which provides a deeper cradle and they will sink in to the comfort layers more. Others may prefer a slightly thinner firmer comfort layer which can also provide good pressure relief but with a different feel and less sinking in. This is part of personal preference.
The Flobeds for example would have a 2" convolute over a 3" layer of 28/32 so the combination of the top 5" or so would be on the firmer/thinner side.
The SleepEz suggestions are already in a “range” that can take into account what you would choose to go on top.
The Arizona premium would also be a thinner firmer comfort layer (and mattress) which would also be appropriate for a heavier person who wants a firmer comfort layer but the recommendation may change if you are planning to add a soft topper to this (again depending on your preferences).
The “transition” and deeper layers need to be height/weight/sleeping position appropriate to keep you in alignment once you have “sunk in” to the mattress as much as you need and want to for pressure relief. The transition layers will be part of the feel of the “transition” between layers. The overall thickness of the mattress (as Maia mentioned) is part of how “gradually” or “suddenly” the mattress goes from soft to firm as you sink in to it.
All the layers work together and affect every other layer so the the transition and support layers will also affect “comfort” to some degree and the comfort and transition layers will also affect support to some degree so it’s not quite as black and white as I have outlined where each layer or its function can be treated independently.
The ticking/quilting layers will also have an effect as well.
So each of these designs would be “in the range” for different needs and preferences but take different pathways to a similar outcome.
The most effective process I know of would be to first decide on a final choice of layering with each of your “competing” manufacturers and designs based on your more extensive conversations with them (taking into account anything you plan to add to the mattress in terms of a topper) and then evaluate the pros and cons of each using your own “personal value equation” to narrow it down to your final choice.
In other words … first “finish” each competing design using your input and the specific guidelines of each manufacturer … then choose between them.
Hope this helps.
Phoenix