The Great Mattress Hunt....

[phoenix]

Hi sunlover,

Based on the tests below, what best guess could we make on the ideal thickness and ILD of comfort/support layers?

I wouldn’t think in terms of things like “ideal thickness” or “which layer is doing what” but would use your testing to determine if a mattress provides you with the PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences) you need. You can read about the two main functions of a mattress here and everything else is relative to these and your own personal preferences. Post #2 here also has more about how to “define” your perfect mattress. I wouldn’t try to “theorize” your way to a choice. If you plan to consider other manufacturers than the ones you are personally testing … then more detailed conversations with them is the “best” approach.

My goal is to determine if I can improve at all on the Savvy Rest configuration through adding an additional 3" of latex and enhance the luxurious feel of the bed—without compromising pressure relief or support. This will help to determine which manufactures I look at seriously as I narrow the field :

You can read more about the potential benefits of thicker layers and thicker mattresses in post #14 here.

I would like to keep the option of an adjustable base open for the future. Would we want to stay in the 9-10" mattress range or could we go to the 12"? I like the overall comforting feel better of the deeper beds, but 9" would probably provide enough pressure relief and support for a great night sleep.

12" of latex would generally be fine for an adjustable bed (I say generally because if all 12" were very firm then it may not work as well).

A few general comments which may be helpful …

American Foam, Talalay blend:
Top Layer: 2" at 19 ILD
Bottom Layer: 6" at 36 ILD
This bed felt hard, it did not provide pressure point cushioning or lumbar support. It was good to experience how the raw materials in a very thin cotton cover felt, to differentiate the feel of the quilted covers from the latex. Provided decent spinal support in stomach position.

This is an example of a comfort layer that is quite soft and thin to the point where you are “going through” it and feeling the firmness of the layers below it. An example of a very similar layering would be the Pure Latex bliss Pamper which has 2" of 21 ILD over 6" of 40 ILD.

WJ Sutherland NR Dunlop:
Top Layer: 4" topper, wool and cotton cover over 3" of 20-25 ILD
Bottom Layer: 6" of 30-35 ILD in a 1" thick cotton and wool cover.
This bed was close! However, the additional 1" of cover width on the 3" latex topper was enough for my hips to sway slightly in the stomach position….too much comfort layer. The bed was displayed on a box spring, so possible slight impact on softness feel, however based on similar issue with the 4" of comfort layers above, think that 4" extends beyond my comfort needs.

This may have more to do with the box spring than the comfort layer. If this is Dunlop … you will sink in less than you would into 3" of Talalay (much less 4") and the wool would have the effect of reducing the cradling a little more. In terms of the comfort layer … this would be similar to the Savvy Rest with 3" of soft Dunlop except with a little more wool. I would also keep in mind of course that the next 3’ down are firmer so the S/M/F Savvy Rest would be softer and this would be closer to S/F/F in the Savvy Rest.

I would also make sure that the PLB specs you are quoting are correct. they are the old versions which are still being made in some areas of the country but make sure that the cover isn’t blue or the name of the mattresses includes “Active Fusion” which would indicate the new versions and a little different layering (see post #2 here)

Overall it seems to me that your comments and perceptions are very “accurate” and follow “theory” well and would provide a good guideline for a choice.

Phoenix