Sleep On Latex- I’ve tried everything!

Talk To The Experts The Clean Bedroom
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My new Sleep On Latex Medium softness is VERY firm, I’ve tried so many toppers and can’t make it work!
I’ve loved my talalay topper and pillow for years, so when my old memory foam mattress needed replacing, I was certain that a latex mattress would be a great idea.
Side sleeper, 5’2”, 130# female

Toppers tried alone and in many combinations with each other:
*SOL 3” soft - Now know that Dunlop isn’t right for me, much too springy!
*2” talalay old 19? 28?ILD in nice bamboo cover, hips were very sore
*3” Titanflex, hips went right through
2" Gel memory foam
2’ 14ILD Talalay
*2.4” & 1.4” Turmerry Dunlop Soft Eggcrate
*3” 19ILD Talalay in cotton cover that shockingly has a non flexible bottom side, tried with cover on and off
*Old thin mattress protector
*New wool in cotton mattress protector that is stiffer and firming

Currently trying the 1.4” egg rate under 3” Talalay. It was good for my hips, but my upper back and neck were in pain. Adding the stiffer wool topper helped a little. Tonight I will test using the thinnest pillow we have.

I should add, that I began with my old flexible metal wire foundation that I knew should be updated for this heavy mattress. With that foundation, I was mostly comfortable using the 1.4” Turmerry eggcrate under the 2” Talalay and thin protector. Once my heavy duty foundation arrived, the hip pain was very noticeable. That dip in the middle was helping, but I didn’t want to hurt the new mattress:(

My sleep trial is quickly running out. The thought of asking friends to move this extremely heavy mattress again is terrible.

Where to go from here-
Would a slightly higher ILD 3” talalay keep my hips happily above the hard mattress and give more support to my upper back?
OR
Move on

In 2017 we purchased a Dreamfoam 10” memory foam mattress that is no longer made. It was 3” viscoelastic urethane foam over 7” urethane foam. I’m told the closest would be the 10” Essential, but that the new design may feel a tad firmer due to the change in foam, now gel, and new height of comfort layer now 2.5”, was 3”.
This is still in use in Mom’s guest room and is still perfect for me. It’s so nice not to continually wake in pain and feel sore in the morning! I didn’t want another memory foam bed due to the warmth, but if they still made this one I’d order it today! The thought of starting again with a bed that is probably too firm vs. working with the problem that I already know - this is what I think about while tossing and turning.
I welcome any thought, suggestions, or advice.
Thank you to everyone that keeps this amazing forum going!!

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Hey there, eml.

I’m really sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve been having with your Sleep On Latex (SoL) mattress combination.

If you were to reach out to companies like @Sleep_EZ, @Arizona_Premium, or @TheCleanBedroom, I think they’d suggest that a 5’2”, 130 lb female might benefit from a softer mattress combination. Of course, everyone has their own personal preferences and comfort zones (for example, my wife is 5’4" and 135 lbs, and she sleeps on one of the firmest mattresses available, so go figure with the stereotypes!).

Sleep On Latex’s Medium is their most popular and versatile mattress, but as you’ve experienced, every sleeper has their own needs, especially when dealing with 8" of latex. There are some technical aspects of Dunlop latex that can be a bit nuanced in mattress construction. While it’s often said that Dunlop is firmer than Talalay, this is more of a generalization than an absolute fact. Talalay latex tends to have a more uniform density throughout the slab, while Dunlop is denser toward the lower portion and softer at the top. Both can be made to similar ILD ratings, but the response and feel of each material can differ significantly.

One downside of the SoL mattress is the inability to swap or modify the layers, which may be contributing to your discomfort. While toppers can soften the upper surface of a mattress and provide additional pressure relief, the core construction of the mattress still plays a major role in overall comfort. The core needs to match your preferred sleeping position and comfort level.

Talalay latex tends to conform to your body’s curves more easily, providing better pressure relief, especially for side sleepers.

On the other hand, Dunlop latex, being denser, feels more springy. It tends to return to its original shape more quickly when you move or shift positions, which can be less conducive to contouring and pressure relief. Additionally, Dunlop has a higher support factor, meaning it resists your body weight more as you sink in, providing a firmer overall feel.

Given your experience, it sounds like there might not be a topper solution that will make the current SoL setup work for you. Companies like APM and SleepEZ offer mattresses that allow you to swap layers, which could help address some of the issues you’re facing. They also offer combinations of Dunlop and Talalay latex, either individually or mixed, so you can fine-tune the firmness and comfort level.

Another consideration is the foundation. For latex mattresses and most hybrids, I would recommend slats with less than 3" spacing. A more solid base will make the mattress feel slightly firmer, but it will reduce the risk of foam protrusion, which can cause uneven wear on the mattress surface.

If you’re still willing to try a topper solution, I’d suggest experimenting with a 3" Talalay topper at an ILD of 20-22 (a bit firmer) paired with another 1-1.5" soft topper (ILD of 14-19) for added cushioning at the hips without creating excessive sinkage that could lead to spinal misalignment.

Finding your comfort zone is not always as easy as one might think.

Hopefully, some of these ideas will lead you to a solution. Keep in mind that the latex will soften slightly during the first month or so, but it does not seem like that will be enough that will satisfy your needs. Perhaps a few of the other latex experts will chime in with their options in case I missed something.

All the best and good luck,

Maverick

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Also, the The Bear original, although a budget mattress, is going to be the closest version of the dreamfoam you might find, that is made here in the USA and is decent quality for the price. It is on the medium firm side.

The dreamfoam essential is available in a wide variety of firmness levels based on thickness. The 12" version, (not to sound snobby) is barely more than a family dinner at a fancy restaurant. Plus, they have a great return policy if you dont love it.

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Hi eml,
Sorry to hear about your struggles! It is no fun waking up in pain.

I agree with Maverick that the 2 layers of Talalay would be a good combination to try. If that works with your hip, you could also experiment with pillows in a couple of ways.

  1. Making sure you have the right amount of support between your shoulder and your neck - a thicker, but flexible pillow may help, but everyone’s preferences are different.
  2. With side sleeping, having a pillow between your knees sometimes helps the spine be straighter.
    If there is anything we can do to help, feel free to give us a shout via phone or chat on our website.
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