Wool mattress pads and toppers

[phoenix]

Hi NeckPainAndArthritis,

Thanks for taking the time to share your comments and experiences … I appreciate it

Id say that if people are looking for a thick substatiative topper, you can be fooled by the pictures. I’d say you ought make sure it says exactly what the thickness is of the topper before buyingit. Ive bought four toppers total. Two of which turned out to be kind of like thick wool sheets and had little impact.

In addition to the thickness … the amount of wool in a topper can also be one of the ways that you can compare them although there are also many other variables that can affect how different wool toppers compare to each other as well (see post #17 here and post #4 here and post #6 here).

Question for phoenix and the community. Since my sleep setup improved by adding another wool layer I’d like to add some more. What would be a good wool layer/topper of at least 3’ thick to stack under or over my other 2 existing wool toppers. I want to get something with a different feel than the surroundewe so that I can compare the two and figure out what work for me best. The surroundewe is precompressed and is the heaviest of all the toppers Phoenix reviewed on page 1 of this thread. Should I try a softer less dense one next to put over the surroundewe but under the wool fleece maybe? Would the toppers from the woolcarders mill (soaringheart, holylamb, shepardsdream) be good for this purpose or should I look elseware? My aching joints would sure appreciate any feedback either on my existing setup or on my next purchase. Thanks!

Unfortunately there are too many unknowns, variables, and individual preferences and complexities involved for me to be able to predict how you would feel on any combination of wool toppers in combination with any specific mattress (all the layers and components of your sleeping system will have an effect on all the other layers and components both above and below it. I also don’t have any personal experience on the wool topper combinations that you are considering or on your particular mattress but even if I had my experience could be very different from your own.

There are different types of softness that can affect different people in different ways (see post #15 here). For example I used to own a similar topper to the snugfleece that you purchased that I used for several years (I actually still own it but don’t use it any longer because the wool has matted down) and while it certainly felt softer in terms of “surface softness” (very light compression) … it doesn’t provide the same “pressure relief” softness as other wool toppers that use wool batting that I have tried over the years so my experience is different from your own. I would also keep in mind that more of something that you like doesn’t necessarily mean it will be better than what you are already using (although of course it’s certainly possible that it will). It’s also possible that what you are feeling is more the result of the combination and not just the snugfleece topper you are using.

When you can’t test a particular topper (or combination of toppers) in person then the best source of information and guidance about a particular wool topper will be a conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced manufacturer/retailer that sells them. They will be more familiar with the specifics of their wool toppers and can help you differentiate the specifics of the topper you are considering and help you make more meaningful comparisons with other “similar” wool toppers than anyone else. The suppliers on the list that I have talked to all tend to be open, transparent, and informative about the wool toppers that they make or sell and the information they provide you can help you make more informed choices between the many options you have available.

Phoenix