Hi All. This is my first post. I am so glad I found The Mattress Underground. I can’t thank you enough for creating and actively maintaining this awesome site !!
I have been reading the articles, but still need some help.
I know that we want a mattress that contains Talalay latex, but am unsure of the best core for us. (As a side note, we have talalay pillows that we’ve had for about 15 years now - before we even knew what talalay was- and we absolutely love, love, love them. We are just now beginning to feel wear.)
About us: We are in our mid/late 50s. I am 5’6" and weigh about 180lbs, and my husband is 6’3" and weighs about 280 lbs. He has sleep apnea, wears a CPAP, and most often sleeps on his back. He tends to sleep hot. I am a side sleeper and dont think I sleep hot or cold (one leg out, lol).
We currently sleep on a queen 16" Simmons Spring Air Four Seasons Heather mattress, with a 9" base. It sags now, with that lump in the middle. It has two topper layers. I would guess that it is medium-firm.
We currently wake with the sore hips, shoulders, etc.
We are interested in moving to a king size. After researching here on the site, I am not sure whether a wrapped coil base or dunlop latex base would serve us better.
I’m wondering if a coil base will end up sagging after time. I dont think we would like the dunlop latex or a memory foam as a top layer, but think either may be okay as a core.
I like a little bounce or liveliness, but also some nice, cradling give-in.
Based on the 24" height of our current base and mattress, we are unsure about moving to a low-sitting mattress, but also wonder if an adjustable base may be helpful for my husband. I wonder, however, if the split king size is comfortable for cuddling in the middle (on the seam).
I have looked at the trusted members pages of latex and foam providers but am still overwhelmed.
Based on our body sizes and sleep styles, can you please give your opinion on which core may best suit us? And then, can you please suggest which of our trusted members might be able to provide what we think we are looking for?
We are open to any and all feedback. Again, thank you so very much for this wonderful site.
Welcome to The Mattress Underground ! Nice to see you and thanks for your question.
Thanks for your kind words and praise of TMU’s forum, Libby! Good job on reading the articles, there are many resources here and it does take a bit of guidance to get started. We’re happy to have you join in and will help in any way that we can.
Congrats on your new mattress shopping journey ! Talalay latexis a highly pressure-point relieving material and is preferred by those who like the buoyant, uplifting feel of “sleeping on” a mattress. Its open-cell design provides natural cooling, air-circulation and is prized for its “sleeping cool” temperature regulating properties. The choice of a support core would be based on (1) what you have known to work for you both in the past and (2) what best compliments the lively nature of Talalay latex as a comfort material. Happy to hear that you have enjoyed your Talalay pillows and not surprised that they have performed well for nearly 15 years as a good quality latex is a highly durable foam. If you are starting to notice wear however, you may consider replacing them with your new mattress to create a fresh sleeping environment.
Thanks for sharing your personal stats, Libby. As you likely know from your research, you will be asked about the mattress users’ weight, height, body profile, sleep position(s), and any other special sleep considerations to help better understand what materials and constructions may be best-suited to the user’s preferences. BTW, I like your “one leg out” cooling strategy; this method is more common than you may realize .
Thanks for including the pics of your Spring Air Four Seasons Heather mattress, Libby. How long have you had it? I found a similar model on Four Season’s web site, the construction seems of multiple/ varying-thickness proprietary gel foams/ memory foams as comfort materials over a pocketed coil array. I’m sorry to hear that you’re both experiencing sore hips, shoulders, and other pain; how long has this been going on?
Congrats on the king upgrade ! It’s always a luxurious feeling to have the extra sleeping surface, IMO. Are you located near any COVID safe showrooms for testing all-latex mattresses? Explaining the tactile support “feel” differences between an latex base and pocketed coils is somewhat difficult, the subject was covered recently in this post. Whether you choose to go all-latex or with a latex hybrid, you would want to ensure that you use an appropriate foundation to support its heavier weight evenly across the surface and avoid future sagging issues. As you are both fans of Talalay, you can rule out dunlop latex as a comfort material (denser foam/ firmer feel), as well as memory foam (sleeps hotter/ “sinking into” feeling).
Either build of mattress you’re considering will work well on an adjustable bed base, Libby. The split king adjustable base should be fine and provide an even surface for cuddling in the middle. As a back sleeper with sleep apnea, your husband may enjoy the ability to independently adjust his side separately from yours to accommodate a more comfortable position. However, with your side sleeping preference, you may find its use more appealing for reading in bed or binge-watching your favorite streaming content. Many people enjoy adjustable bed bases, and their use and popularity continue to grow.
You both are well-suited for either type of core, Libby. That probably isn’t the answer that you expected, but some other questions for further consideration include: (1) budget, an all-latex mattress is an expensive purchase; (2) higher BMIs do better with thicker, firmer materials/ firmer gauge coils; and (3) sleep history, what type mattresses you both have used and enjoyed over the years.
Thanks for considering a possible mattress purchase from one of TMU’s Trusted Members ! These fine manufacturers/ retailers specialize in the latex/ all-latex mattress category and would be happy to help you choose the cores and latex layering best suited for you:
Thank you kindly for your thorough reply.
We have decided to go with a split king hybrid mattress on an adjustable base. Now we just have to find and order it.
We have been looking into the trusted members’ websites, and will update once we make the purchase.
Again, this site is awesome. I wish everyone were lucky enough to find it prior to making a mattress purchase.
Thanks for your response and my apologies for the delayed reply .
Wonderful news that you’ve narrowed the focus to a split king hybrid and adjustable base . That will give you both a customizable mattress option with adaptable individual comfort/ support preferences. One caveat regarding an adjustable base: their availability across the country seems limited currently, a number of social sites’ users are reporting extensive backorder delays (through September in some cases). These are likely supply-chain related and hopefully will resolve themselves sooner than later; however, don’t be surprised if you encounter the same news. If you prefer that setup, you may want to check the availability status of the adjustable bed base, as well as that of the mattress, to better time the arrival of both. If you do find that the adjustable base has an elongated delivery date, you may be able to arrange an order of the mattress where you pay for it up front but schedule the manufacturing and shipping date for one closer to the arrival of the adjustable base.
Thanks so much for your kind words on the site, Libby; they are much appreciated. We are pleased that it has helped you with your mattress research and hope that you find the best split king hybrid model for your needs. Wishing you the best as well and looking forward to hearing which way you decide to go .
! Nice to see you and thanks for your question.
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