finalizing a build here. 210lb male, side/back (usually fall asleep on side, but i think i transition a bit onto back in the night)
have my top two layers which i’m quite happy with (although on the fence about my middle layer being a dunlop and moving to talalay? i’m still within a return window for it)
28 ILD APM Talalay - Top
34 ILD SOL Dunlop - Middle
?? ILD Dunlop - Base
trying to finalize my base layer
is 44ILD XFIRM TOO firm? should i be shooting for something around 38-40? do they even make it? should i just double up on the 34 SOL dunlop?
i have degenerative disc disease and need to nail this final layer (currently my base is a bett1 german mattress, the zoning is killing me)
Welcome back to TMU ! Nice to see you again and thanks for your question.
I reviewed your original postfor background on your situation, and you have done a good job of researching your DIY, datrumole . You seem to be on the right track to narrowing down choices on your all-latex project. Let’s see where things are now…
Not sure if I understand your question. Is your concern regarding the use of Dunlop latex as a transition layer paired with a Talalay comfort layer? Or is the question whether the middle and top layers should both be of Talalay latex? The statement “I’m still within a return window for it” applies to the middle/ Dunlop layer, correct? What layer thicknesses are you going with and what size mattress for your build?
Thanks for your support of trusted members Arizona Premium Mattress and Sleep On Latex ! Both are extremely knowledgeable of the latex and DIY categories; have you consulted with them regarding your layering q’s? You are welcome to ask them forum questions regarding an appropriate dunlop ILD base, both manufacturers are experts at pairing consumers and their individual needs with appropriate latex firmnesses.
44 ILD is on the firmer-feel side of Dunlop and it is available. You may find that firmness to be overkill, unless you simply want a heavier, firmer-feeling mattress base. Many manufacturers use 36-38 ILD as their firmest latex, and some offer 40 ILD as an X-tra firm option. How much firmer a support core you choose would be something of a personal preference, datrumole. Going back to the basic functions of a mattress, your mattress should provide both conforming pressure relief to your body (Comfort), as well as control how far different parts of your body sink down into a mattress for proper spinal alignment (Support). Your proposed DIY specs would seem to be a good fit for your needs, once you decide how firm you need the base layer to be. Are you considering a 6" core?
I am sorry to hear that you’re dealing with degenerative disc disease and that your bett1 german mattress hasn’t been the best fit for you; I’ve followed your attempts to improve its comfort feel and it sounds as though that has been quite a frustrating experience. Hopefully, you will find better sleep soon, once you finalize your DIY plans. Let us know how things go and good luck .
sorry. the question is: should my middle transition layer potentially be switched from it’s current 3" of 34ILD dunlop to a similar/comparable ILD of talalay for some additional conforming attributes or is the dunlop layer fine as a transition layer under 3" of talalay
i have not reached out to them directly, i certainly can give it a shot!
i apologize, i never gave the thickness in my OP, each layer is 3". thus far i’m up to 6" and looking for an additional 3" layer, for a total of 9" of latex. do you feel i should be looking at the 12" range with the 6" core, or with what i have assembled thus far, 9" is likely enough.
i think what i’m wavering on is how firm should my final, base layer be. should i simply double up on the 34" SOL 3" for effectively 6" of 34ILD Dunlop under 3" of 28ILD talalay? i just felt that perhaps going from 28, to 34, all the way to then 44 seemed like a might large jump, and that perhaps i should be leaning closer to something in the 38-40 range
and if the 38-40 range was good, finding a dunlop carrier of that ILD was the next challenge as i dont see much of it around
thank you, it’s not been fun, and yeah, the german experiment was a complete failure . i’d had some success on a bob-o-pedic mybobs gel for about 6y, but from 6 to 6.5y it just got painful every so often, then from 6.5-7 it was unbearable. assuming as the mattress eventually broke down from support to mush. i’m very very fond of the latex surface, and the wife is grateful for the significant decrease in temp! so just trying to knock out this last layer and hope i’ll be in good shape!
My initial thoughts are that this would be more of personal preference for you. Are you currently testing the 28 ILD APM Talalay - Top/ 34 ILD SOL Dunlop - Middle/ ?? ILD Dunlop - Base setup and if so, how is your back responding to the dunlop transition layer? It’s firmness feel would be more “supportive” in that middle layer placement, and a comparable ILD Talalay layer would provide a more “conforming” feel.
No worries, datrumole . A 9" total thickness latex build should work just fine.
I’d still encourage you to check in with both Arizona Premium Mattress and Sleep On Latex regarding the appropriate firmness dunlop base for your needs. Both are experts in the customizable latex category and speaking with them directly would yield far more valuable results as they have many years experience working directly with consumers.
It’s great news that you both are enjoying latex’s naturally cooling properties . Hope that your DIY continues to go well and let us know what the final build looks like when you have time.
My initial thoughts are that this would be more of personal preference for you. Are you currently testing the 28 ILD APM Talalay - Top/ 34 ILD SOL Dunlop - Middle/ ?? ILD Dunlop - Base setup and if so, how is your back responding to the dunlop transition layer? It’s firmness feel would be more “supportive” in that middle layer placement, and a comparable ILD Talalay layer would provide a more “conforming” feel. [quote]
my issue is, my current base layer is the stupid german mattress. the 6" of just the two layers is far too thin and uncomfortable (we did two nights on it, couldnt bear it)
however i think you might have said it best, the dunlop will provide the additional support, which i feel like the talalay i have is doing a great job of conforming. now lets get into the support. so i think i’ll give the 34ILD dunlop a go
i did, but they didnt seem overly helpful in deciding other than giving me more ‘matter of fact’ statements. def didn’t feel like a tailored experience. i understand they likely have plenty on their plate, and some of the decisions might end up having me choose a different vendor based on their recommendations which would be base for their own business.
thank you so much for your help on the matter, i’m going to try out the 34" SOL dunlop and see how that goes. if i find it too soft, i’ll bump to the 36" APM dunlop. also trying to finalize the cover, and i know that can add some additional ‘firmness’ to the build. so i’m starting off on the slightly softer side in hopes the cover firmness dials it right in. although i’d love a cover that adds little to nothing to the firmness, so now we head down that road
ugh, i dont know why i can’t edit my post, the formatting is an utter mess, ha
my issue is, my current base layer is the stupid german mattress. the 6" of just the two layers is far too thin and uncomfortable (we did two nights on it, couldnt bear it)
however i think you might have said it best, the dunlop will provide the additional support, which i feel like the talalay i have is doing a great job of conforming. now lets get into the support. so i think i'll give the 34ILD dunlop a go
i did, but they didnt seem overly helpful in deciding other than giving me more 'matter of fact' statements. def didn't feel like a tailored experience. i understand they likely have plenty on their plate, and some of the decisions might end up having me choose a different vendor based on their recommendations which would be base for their own business.
thank you so much for your help on the matter, i'm going to try out the 34" SOL dunlop and see how that goes. if i find it too soft, i'll bump to the 36" APM dunlop. also trying to finalize the cover, and i know that can add some additional 'firmness' to the build. so i'm starting off on the slightly softer side in hopes the cover firmness dials it right in. although i'd love a cover that adds little to nothing to the firmness, so now we head down that road
! Nice to see you again and thanks for your question.
.