Still Need Help

[Sensei]

Hey Libby,

Welcome to The Mattress Underground ! Nice to see you and thanks for your question.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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).

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 .

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.

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?

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.

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).

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).

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.

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?

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:

Arizona Premium Mattress

Sleep EZ

CozyPure

DIY Natural Bedding

FloBeds

Foam Sweet Foam

Latex Mattress Factory

Mattres To Go

Nest Bedding

Oklahoma Mattress Company

CozyPure

Hope this helps you with a start to your research and looking forward to hearing more about your journey, Libby .

Thanks,
Sensei