So I made the mistake of buying a four latex mattress (Talalay) just under six years ago. (From the awesome people at SleepEZ)
The issue I think is that while I loved the idea of a high mattress - those four layers regardless of firmness (original setup was XF, F, M, S - now using I think XF, F, M, M on the side I sleep on)… Well those four layers are allowing just too much compression.
Especially since I’m on my bed a lot… (E.g, watching TV)
While there isn’t much of an un-loaded sag in my mattress - I can definitely tell the difference between my current side of the bed and when I move to the other or middle - so where I generally sleep has definitely degenerated.
I’m mostly a side sleeper. But when laying on my back I feel discomfort in my lumbar because I think the mattress really has degenerated at an accelerated rate from me being on my bed more than 8 hours per day. (Plus the four layers are all compressing before finally there is a solid structure.)
I was thinking of replacing my mattress with a two layer… Something like XF and medium (dunlop). And if that is too firm, I could then put a medium topper (or soft) later.
Am I crazy to want to try such a firm setup? I really would like to get some resilient support. While I only weigh about 160lbs, I do ask a lot of my mattress.
Thanks!
Hello JackBauer,
I think that your potential build of medium over firm latex could be great. In fact, it is a common configuration, however, I would not call it firm. It is firmer than it could be, but not firm.
With 6", you will feel that extra firm underneath you, but probably not feel the slats or bed support. Also, with a medium over a latex, if you decide to tweak the firmness, besides adding a medium on top, you have the option to squeeze a firm between the medium and extra firm and have a more graduated support.
Something to consider: since you use your mattress as a couch as well, do not expect it to last as long as a typical latex bed lasts. The prone position of a sleeper puts far less pressure on a surface than the vertical position of a sitter, thus a sitter compresses the latex deeper and gives it more use in one spot. While a medium would be a nice cushy layer to sit on, expect to have to replace it in a few years as it is very uncommon for a base couch cushion to be as soft as a medium. Usually a base cushion starts with a firm. It is difficult to find a surface that suits both a sitter’s and a sleeper’s needs.
Dunlop processed latex is the only latex used in couches due to its durability.
Thank you.
Agreed - I expect to replace it more frequently…
Perhaps an extra firm, and firm… And then if really needed I could get a topper that would be a medium.
One thing I’m going to try is removing two layers this weekend… And seeing how I do on a comparably firm surface before I buy a completely new mattress.
Hello JackBauer,
I’m sorry to hear about the issues you’ve encountered but I’ll be happy to help.
Have you tried rearranging the layers to make the mattress firmer / more supportive?
The 13" mattress is definitely going to feel softer than the 7" mattress. If you take two layers out of the cover and find that it has the firmness and support you’re looking for, we would be happy to alter your cover from 13" tall down to 7" tall. There would be no charge for the alteration, we would just ask that you pay the cost of shipping to and from your location. If you’d like to continue with the alteration, please contact our office at 480-966-9282 and we’ll get the mattress adjusted for you!
Thank you. I may take you up on that. Although it would need a pretty decent sized box, and shipping wouldn’t be cheap. It’s not quite worth it to just buy a new cover, but when you factor in the effort - being without a cover for 1-2 weeks, etc… Well, it’s something to think about.
I also might just eliminate two layers, and tuck the excess under the mattress. Sure it will raise the edges of my mattress a bit, but it would suffice for a while - until I figure out where to go next.
I’ll have to keep an eye out for a decent sized box though… 
You should be able to fit the cover into a box that measures around 17" x 17" x 17" and the shipping cost would vary depending on what state you live in. For example, if you’re in California it would be $24.64 total shipping (so that includes shipping both ways) and if you’re in New York the total shipping would be $41.68. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a box around those dimensions. It would take about 2 weeks between when you ship us the cover and when the altered cover is shipped back to you. Please note that there is absolutely nothing wrong with sleeping on the latex without the cover for a couple of weeks. The layers should stay in place just fine and the mattress will have a plusher feel since you would be sleeping directly on the latex (feel free to put down a bed sheet, of course).
Thank you… I’d probably do it then… I’m guessing since you know the costs to ship - that we’d use your shipping account and you could provide me a shipping label?
Thanks again!
