Better analogue to a gel memory foam comfort layer/poly support layer?

Talk To The Experts
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Hello everyone. I’m trying out mattresses recently and I’ve read through the selection tutorial on the site. I’d just like a bit of other people’s thoughts on what might be good based on what I thought was the-best-available-but-not-ideal mattress.

I’m about 6’3" (about 190.5cm) and 290lbs. The mattresses I’ve liked best so far has a gel memory foam comfort layer and a foam, the exact identify of which I am not sure about, in the support layer. It was this one at Sleep Country.. I suspect it’s an (unknown grade) polyfoam based on a review I found online.

The intangibles seemed good from what I tried but I’m worried about poly degradation in the support layer since that seems to be the big complaint about foam mattresses I’ve heard in the past. I also worry about how much I move around when I sleep, so I’m interested in a “springier” comfort layer than one made of memory foam.

Given my reactions, I’m thinking that what I might want is mattress that uses latex foams in both the support and comfort layers. There seem to be local mattress dealers that sell those and I’m going to make an effort to get to a showroom with one and try them too. Meanwhile, I’m just curious about any feedback on my thought process. Am I on the right track? Are there things I should be considering but haven’t? Am I right that mattress I liked was a poly support core? Am I going to be getting something analogous with a latex support core or should I be focused on known-grade poly?

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Hi keeganland,

I took a peek at the mattress you referenced. From my perspective I would venture to day that with your BMI, you should be focusing on a mattress that has a sturdy and very supportive, support layer, preferably a coil based support layer.
The mattress in question has a 1" layer of gel memory foam of unknown density and 7" consisting of “7” bamboo charcoal-infused aerated foam core promotes air circulation and reduces impurities to help keep your mattress fresh.”

What exactly that means, I could not tell you, nor could anyone else based on what information is available. Even if they did identify this seemingly synthetic layer, I would not expect it to support someone of your size properly for the long term.
Certainly, if you are more comfortable on a springier mattress system, you would want to move away from the viscoelastic memory foams and more toward latex and coils. Or an old fashioned innerspring mattress. Talalay latex in the comfort layer can offer you the pressure relief you are looking for, even combined with quaility contouring microcoils, with a good support layer with coils in the range of 12.5 to 13.5g coils for added support.

The issue with unknown grade polyfoam is if it is not quite right, how do you know where to go from there?

That does not mean polyfoam is bad. I am a perfect example of this. I am 6’ 220 (formerly 250+) I sleep on an extremely firm mattress, simple in design. 13.5 gauge coils, with 2" of 1.8lb 36 ILD HD foam with .75" of quilted 50ILD foam. The mattress is flippable and the opposite sides kicks up the quilting to 1.5" and adds on additional layer of 1" super responsive foam for added contouring and slightly less firmness. The firmer side of my mattress is 9.5/10. Both of us are side sleepers, so we are actually going against the rule. Probably, a 2.2lb or 2.4lb HD would even be better, but after a year, it has proven itself exceptional.

At 290, my fear is any foam, even a very firm and high ILD Dunlop is not enough to support that type of weight long term. It is very important that your mattress is comprised of a superior support system.

Ultimately, everyone has a budget and that can be the motivating factor in choosing any item. I think it is too important to overlook your need for support and long term comfort. If you focus on that, I think you will be moving in the right direction.
Norm

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Thanks for the feedback Norm. I’m skeptical about that specific mattress for long-term use too— it just happens to be rather nice in terms of the intangibles in the store. It is disappointing it doesn’t seem to have many clues to go on in terms of finding a similar-feeling-but-better-long-term counterpart.

I’m hoping I won’t stay at 290 lbs forever— talking to a dietician and such in the new year. That said, I don’t know the extent to which I should be planning around that. I tried a few latex mattresses at a smaller store the other day, and was thinking about high ILD Dunlop layers… But wear is certainly a concern that I’d had with foam and while the latex foams seem better, I did want some assurance. It sounds like I should be thinking about hybrid coil-latex things.

What I’d really like to try out, and which is supported by your suggestion, is a latex/coil hybrid support layer with a Talalay latex comfort layer. There are some local latex specialists that do this but I doubt I can get exactly what I want in a showroom I can easily access… That said it seems like my trips to showrooms and research are all nudging me in that direction, so maybe I should give it a shot.

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Listen, my high was about 267. I graduated undergrad in 1982 and was 215, clean-up hitter for my Div 1 college. Needless to say, 215 turned into 267, and I had enough. I focused for a good year (in my 50’s), and got down to 237. Then crept back up to 250ish (early 60’s), and in the past year or so, my A1c got bad enough, I had to make a few changes and am down to 215-220. If I can do it, you can do it.

You will find that folks like @Latex_Mattress_Fact1 Mattress Factory offer ILD toppers or layers to 44ILD. That should be plenty firm enough, if you stack it on some quality pocketed spring coils, I prefer the 13g range. Even if you focus on your current BMI, choosing a system with swappable comfort layers will easily accommodate you down the road when you pass me on the way down to 210.

With latex, I would not be as concerned about wear and tear, although it still is foam, but you can always throw a nice 2" wool topper over the whole darn thing. It keeps you heat neutral, great to lay on, and will comfort you on your side, back or stomach. EGH I just remembered you are in Canada; I keep getting tripped up on you folks north of the border as I keep thinking USA. Well, the concept is the same, just with different players.

Perhaps @MFC Mario can come up with their firm 40ILD as a lower comfort layer on top of a firm coil set with a mid-level Talalay ILD (you have to check if they offer the talalay option) to top it off so you get that springy feel you are looking for modified for your hybrid.

Then there is the @MFC Unison Hybrid; perhaps it can be tweaked especially for you.

I don’t know their exact policies on that, but if there is a zipper, there is a way to customize it.

Another option is @Evrbed. They are not a member of TMU but they are in Canada; their customizable bed has promise for you as a current soon-to-be former larger guy. 2024 is the year! Evrbed One option might be to do their firmer/firm talalay on one side and the medium/firm on the other. Now you get a smorgasbord of options you can swap yourself. You get some nice firmness, support, and the talalay bounce you desire.

It may be worth taking a look and asking some questions!

It may put you above your current budget plateau, but it beats tearing through a $1200 lower-quality polyfoam mattress every couple or few years. And end up costing more in the long run.

Let’s think outside the box and make it happen.
Norm
Happy New Year!