Try to improve an iComfort Insight? or start over with a new latex mattress?

[phoenix]

Hi jwind55,

I hope I’m going to describe this correctly… Side sleeping, I’m not getting pressure relief in my hips and shoulders; and there’s not enough support under my waist to be properly aligned. Back sleeping, there’s not enough support under my lower back to be properly aligned. I was thinking that the right base or foundation could possibly improve some of these issues, and then I would work on finding the right topper. Please advise if this doesn’t make sense.

this makes perfect sense to me and both your “symptoms” generally indicate that a topper would be helpful (which is often the case with the Edsele which uses firmer latex). Post #2 here and the posts it links to has more information about choosing the most appropriate topper. “Just enough” extra thickness and softness for side sleeping will reduce the risk of alignment issues when you are sleeping on your back.

Since I have an Ikea matttress, would the Ikea Atloy foundation likely be the best to try first? Or is the usboxspring product above a better choice? (Including delivery, they are very similar in price; however I can return to Ikea but not usboxspring.) Or would you recommend something else completely?

I would tend towards a firm non flexing foundation which is usually the best choice for an all latex mattress and then add the extra softness you are looking for as a topper. It’s important with an all latex mattress that the gaps between the slats are 3" or less to provide even support for the mattress and to prevent the very elastic latex from sinking through wider gaps over time. There are many choices

The Atloy foundation is actually a box spring with springs and this isn’t usually the most suitable choice for a foam mattress and there are also many less costly options in the foundation thread here that would likely work better … especially if you are adding a topper to your mattress.

If I use a foundation, will I still need to “shore up” my bedframe with more slats? If so, should they be less than 3" apart? (I think this is where I’ve been confused between bases and slats and frames and foundations.) Does the bedframe itself have any effect on feel or support? For example, hypothetically, if the foundation was directly on the floor versus being on the bed frame.

I would use at least 5 wooden slats under the foundation with good center support especially in the middle 3. While I can’t see it in person … the 3 slats you have don’t look very strong. The slats in the bedframe don’t need to be less than 3" apart because a foundation will be on top of them. The 3’ guideline is for the surface that the mattress is resting on.

If what is under your mattress flexes then it can affect the feel of your mattress but if it’s rigid and non flexing (which is the norm for a foam mattress) then it will be the same as on any other firm non flexing surface that provides even support such as the floor.

Phoenix