ILD= Apples and oranges, kinda?

Talk To The Experts Latex Mattress Factory
1

Hi–

I have been going down the many informative rabbit holes on this site–amazing resources here!!-- and I think I have narrowed down my choices about a mattress topper.

This topper will be put on top of a 8" high density poly foam mattress, which still seems to be in good condition. The mattress itself was described as “firm” when we bought it, but my partner and I found it to be uncomfortably hard, not firm, so we bought a 3" 4 lb. (so they said) visco memory foam topper from Nature’s Sleep at Costco. It served us quite well until recently. After 7 years I am finding it too soft, and turning over from side to back, my two positions of choice, feels challenging.

I was initially thinking of going with a 5 lb. density memory foam but now am more interested in latex, especially after lying on a $3000 latex mattress in a local store! I have narrowed down my choices to:
–a 3" blended Talalay rated at 28 ILD from mattresstopper.com,
or
a 3" Pure Green Dunlop rated at 30 ILD from Sleep on Latex.

I have read that Talalay feels softer than Dunlop, so I am struggling to compare these two toppers, since it seems that the ILD numbers sort of exist on a different scale from each other? I don’t want to sink into something, and be encased by softness, nor do I want to sleep on something that feels unyielding. I assume either of these will feel firmer than the memory foam I am currently sleeping on, correct? My partner and I are neither petite nor super large, and both of us sleep on our sides and back (I used to love sleeping on my stomach too, but at 70 I find I can no longer do that without pain, and I don’t know if that is age or mattress related).

Any clarification I can get will be greatly appreciated. In my mind I am going Talalay 28! No, Dunlop 30! Back and forth. Thankfully both these sites offer free returns, but I don’t want to be cavalier about that.

Thanks.

Calisson

2

You are correct, both Talalay and Dunlop would feel firmer than the memory foam topper you have now. You wouldn’t sink too far into either, although Talalay would have just a bit more give to it. Talalay is bouncier and springier and is generally better at contour and pressure relief on your hips and shoulders. Talalay is more common for toppers.

3

Thanks. One other thing I read is that Talalay often has glued seams. Does that mean on a queen sized Talalay topper there would be a visible seam running down the length or width (as opposed to the 3" depth)?

4

There are two manufacturers of Talalay latex in the world, and they both make only TWin XL and queen size layers. If you get a king or cal king Talalay layer, they will have to glue two pieces together. If you get a queen Talalay layer, there should be no reason for that layer to be glued together.

5

This is a queen, so I am glad to hear there would not be a seam.

Thanks again.

6

I ordered a 3 inch medium (30 ILD) Dunlop foam topper from Sleep on Latex, and I am actually finding it too firm, mainly under my head. (I guess the squishiness of the old memory foam made my down pillow feel softer, and now it seems like it ends rather abruptly on a firm surface.) It’s not uncomfortable, in that if I went to a hotel with this mattress I would not be complaining, but it does not feel as welcoming as I would like it to, the way my bed used to feel before the memory foam got too soft.

So now I’m thinking of two possibilities: one is to buy a 2 inch soft topper (ILD 20) from Sleep on Latex, and use it instead of the 3 inch medium (I am thinking that perhaps a 3 inch soft would be too soft), or get a 1 inch soft topper and put it on top of the 3 inch medium topper that I already have.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

7

Calisson

Thank you kindly for your inquiry!

Based on the info you have provided, i would agree that a 1" or 2" soft (19-20ILD) would add the small bit of contour you are needing. I would recommend going with the 2" layer. This way you can try it first without the medium topper all together. 2" will ensure that you get adequate contour in this case, as opposed to a 1". If you feel you are still needing more contour after trying just the 2" soft - then i would place the medium underneath the 2" soft.

I recommend ensuring that you have the ability to exchange the soft layer should you need to, as well as returning it all together if need be. Having comfort options is key to finding the right components with as little risk as possible.

Please keep us posted if possible. Good luck!