Hi jimbear.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum.

It sounds like you're living a pretty active life despite your retirement.

Back pain affects us both of us.

Is the back pain worsened when sleeping on your current mattress? You may find this thread interesting as it gives a breakdown of the most common reasons for back pain and offers some solutions when it comes to mattresses.

Am I being cheap to think I can reuse the existing foundations under the kind mattress?

If the foundation is in good shape (no bending, etc) and is adequate for the mattress you buy, then it's smart!

Is "firmer" a good hedge against back pain?

Depends on what the cause of the back pain is. If it's a lack of adequate support for your sleeping position, it may not necessarily be that you need a firmer mattress, rather adequately thick comfort layers (in the right firmness, whatever that may be for you). You can find the recommendations we make based on sleeping position here .

Should I consider a flipable3 mattresses for long life and negate "sinking in"?

Flippable mattresses are fine, but any mattress made with adequately durable materials is going to have a long lifespan. Some latex mattresses 'live' up to twenty years!

Are there any mattresses you're looking at in particular?

NikkiTMU

Hi, brand new here. (to this forum). Wife and I are both heavy and bot in our mid 70s. Not ready for the old folks home. We get around but things ached. I'm retired but not really as I drive a school bus morning and evening. It's not physically strenuous and I love the kids.

We're looking to replace a 12 yr old king mattress. Innerspring with pillow top.. Back pain affects us both of us. The king has two twin XL foundations.. Some questions:

1. Am I being cheap to think I can reuse the existing foundations under the kind mattress?
2. Should I consider a flipable3 mattresses for long life and negate "sinking in"?
3. Is "firmer" a good hedge against back pain?

Anny other suggestions

Thanks

I don't see any issues with doing just that if the weight is a problem for you.

I'm a little concerned about the weight of the mattress. I have arthritis and it’s difficult for me to move the latex topper I have. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to lift the 6 inch core. The mattress will be on a platform with a one inch layer of coir between the mattress and the platform. Would that be enough to cut the core down to 3 inches.

Sorry for the late reply, I just got back from deer hunting in AZ. The best setup based on your info would be a Firm 6" latex base core with 3" of Medium Talalay then 2" of Soft Talalay. After adding the zippered cover is should finish around 12". Nothing else is needed, the latex pieces don't move around once encased in the cover and you can arrange them to whatever feels best. Let me know if you have any other questions

Hi,

I've been considering a DIY latex mattress. I'm 5ft 11in, 250 pounds and have arthritis. I generally sleep on my side, but not perfectly in my side, meaning I lean over on my side so I'm at an angle somewhere between a stomach sleeper and a side sleeper. One arm is always under my head. I don't want to be swimming in the mattress like memory foam but I need something softer. My shoulders hurt and my arm sometimes falls asleep (no pun intended). My hips are also a pressure point.

Am I better off with all latex or using coils? I've been looking at all latex but if coils would be better I would consider that.

What layer structure makes sense for a person in my situation? I'd like to keep the mattress to about 12 inches but would thicker be better?

Does something need to go between the layers so that they don't pull at each other?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Quantum edge elite 6" center ILD 762, edge ILD 805.then 3" of firmest Dunlop, followed by 3" of medium 100% Talalay latex, 2" of soft talalay, a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.

www.mattresses.net/diylamaco.html
beddingcomponents.com/quantum-edge-elite

LeoK wrote:

Final installment, what to cover the mattress with?

The choice I made was a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.

Had to put the short 2" legs on the adjustable bed base. Putting the bag on had more affect than expected, it stabilized the foam and made the bed less wiggly. The two different toppers removed the weird feel of the latex foam, now I can sleep on my side without a pillow behind me.

Again did I need the two 3 inch layers foam I think 2 inch would have worked for all three layers. If you really want a soft side sleeper you could go with a 3" inch soft latex on the top layer. Also you could probably used blended latex for middle 3 inch layer.

To bad you can't go to a store, that stocks all the different foams and springs and have them build you different combo's to try.

Could you type out what your full finished build is? Sounds like you made a decent mattress.

Hi LeoK.

Thanks for the update! It sounds like the encasement was a success.

Sensei is away at the moment, but will be returning soon and will be excited to hear of your progress!

To bad you can't go to a store, that stocks all the different foams and springs and have them build you different combo's to try.

This sounds like a business idea waiting to happen.

NikkiTMU

Final installment, what to cover the mattress with?

The choice I made was a 14" cotton bag, with 1/2" cotton batting on top, and washable WoolRoom mattress protector with 1/2" of wool.

Had to put the short 2" legs on the adjustable bed base. Putting the bag on had more affect than expected, it stabilized the foam and made the bed less wiggly. The two different toppers removed the weird feel of the latex foam, now I can sleep on my side without a pillow behind me.

Again did I need the two 3 inch layers foam I think 2 inch would have worked for all three layers. If you really want a soft side sleeper you could go with a 3" inch soft latex on the top layer. Also you could probably used blended latex for middle 3 inch layer.

To bad you can't go to a store, that stocks all the different foams and springs and have them build you different combo's to try.

Hi SleepSeeker123.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum.

It sounds like you may have been infected with "paralysis by analysis." It happens to the best of us. You're in the right place!

While hearing others opinions can be useful, we always caution people to stay away from reviews when looking to purchase a mattress. People often review mattresses far too early after receiving them, and reviews lack specific information about all the variables that can contribute to the suitability of a mattress (like details about the person and the mattress) that would make them more meaningful/accurate. We also suggest reading about the dangers of making a purchase based on reviews here .

Ghost bed uses memory foam it seems

They do, and while they offer a number of quality choices, your heavier frame would require a 5.0 lb density memory foam for the most durable lifespan from a memory foam mattress, but beyond that...even cooling memory foams tend to sleep hot for those who are heat-sensitive sleepers, and so staying away from memory foam altogether is probably your best choice.

the Luma looks to come in parts not a one piece mattress

This is not uncommon for latex mattresses as it allows for easy layer exchanges and reconfiguration of the mattress for an ideal sleep experience. Some memory foam mattresses will even have an unattached comfort layer for similar purposes.

I am also a hot sleeper, so cooling capabilities are a must

Latex is the most breathable of all the foams, and therefore is usually the most popular with hot sleepers. While it's not always possible to to track down temperature regulation issues for any particular person on a specific mattress because there are so many variables involved (including your room temperature and humidity, your bedding and bedclothes, and where you are in the "oven to iceberg" range) and some people can sleep warmer on mattresses that most people are generally fine with ... there is more about tracking down a potential cause or causes for temperature regulation issues (at least to the degree possible for a specific mattress) in post #2 here and the posts it links to that may be helpful.

Some other options you may be interested in are...

Nest Bedding's Natural Hybrid Latex or Natural All Latex
My Green Mattress' Natural Escape
The all latex and latex hybrids from Arizona Premium
FloBeds' Natural Latex Mattress
The mattress at Foam Sweet Foam
Or by personalizing a mattress with Sleeping Organic

Also (and you'll see me say this to just about everyone) it is important to have a detailed conversation with whomever you choose to purchase from and provide them with your stats, body type, sleeping styles, general preferences and history, some general information about your current mattress, or what you have tested, and any other specific information or circumstances that could affect your choice of a mattress so they can help you choose which may be your best fit from their inventory.

I hope this helps!
NikkiTMU

I have been researching and reading on this forum for hours over the pat few days and although I now have an understanding of what makes a good mattress and things to look for, I still have no idea what to get. If anything, I'm more uncertain. EVERY mattress I look at has ridiculously mixed reviews of "best mattress I've ever owned. life changing" to "Just an air mattress with a pillow-topper. Never buy" including all of the brands recommended on here. I was looking at the Brooklyn Aurora for the cooling but the bloom seemed better with the talalay. But I see a lot of mixed reviews for both here. Saw the ghost bed and luma mattresses highly recommended here; Ghost bed uses memory foam it seems which makes me skeptical and the Luma looks to come in parts not a one piece mattress, also skeptical. I'm really just at a loss here and would really appreciate a few recommendations from someone experienced. This is my specific sleeping situation: I'm a 6ft tall 270LB male and I sleep alone. Mostly side sleeper, occasionally on my back. I am also a hot sleeper, so cooling capabilities are a must. I'm looking for a Queen or Full XL mattress under $2k. I typically like a medium firmness. I would prefer a "comes in a box" type but I'm open to other options as long as it can be delivered and not picked up in store. Appreciate any help or recommendations. Thank you.

hi h8insomnia.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum.

Thank you for sharing your sleep stats and some history with us.

I would first say that the mattress upon mattress set up is definitely not doing you any favors in terms of support. While there can be benefits to a thicker mattress, 24"of assorted layers isn't a mattress anyone needs. Soft on soft is only going to create more of that stuck in the sand feeling, and can also be detrimental to your comfort and support on the mattress, taking your spine out of alignment as you move through the sleeping positions. As a sleeper with a higher weight, you could certainly benefit from a thicker mattress but only should you need it. 9" - 12" is standard, and then going up (or down, in some cases) from there as necessary is the recommendation.

First, we know that you sleep well on a traditional innerspring mattress, but that the one you have is too soft. Do you know the brand/model of that mattress?
Second, we know that you have the 9" SOL firm mattress, plus a 3" medium topper and a 3" soft topper.
Third, we know you have these two things one atop the other.

My suggestion would first be to separate the the mega mattress.
Then, I'd turn my attention to the SOL. The innerspring is feeling too soft for you, and there's not much that can be done to "firm up" a too soft mattress.However, softening a too firm mattress isn't out of the realm of possibility.

My first recommendation would be to place the 3" soft topper directly on top of your SOL bed and see how that feels for a few nights. Is this bed on any sort of frame or base, out of curiosity?

Also - with regards to non memory foam, non latex foam toppers, you would be looking at something like egg crate 1 - 3" polyfoam, which I personally wouldn't recommend in terms of durability and support relative to your weight . Innerspring mattresses do tend to have foam or fibers quilted in the cover. My Green Mattress shows the breakdown of what their innerspring looks like , so you can get a visual idea of what I am talking about. (Scroll down a bit, beneath the price).

Toppers made from natural fibers are a realistic option, though! You may find this post on the topic and how natural toppers compare to foam toppers useful.

I hope I've given you a starting point to help move you towards supportive and comfortable sleep!
NikkiTMU

Hello everyone, I found this forum whilst trying to find a mattress topper in hopes that it can solve my problems. I have insomnia, lower back pain, and I am fairly heavy (5'9" and 270 pounds). I move a lot when I sleep I tend to sleep on my stomach, but many times switch to my side, and I know I flip many times at night. Usually, if I sleep long enough to not be tired, my back hurts. Most of the time, my back pain wakes me up and then I'm tired.

I have slept in innersprung mattress my whole life and I sleep best on an older sealy I think, which I don't have any information on the construction other than I know it is an innerspring and has the normal top (Not pillow or any padding, euro, etc.). I'd continue to use that sealy, but that is too small now, so I need a bigger bed.

I have went through 3 mattresses thus far. I got a firm Innersprung, which was too firm for my likes. Then I went to one rated soft, and it was far too soft. I now have a Sleep on Latex 9" version rated at firm. It was too firm, so I added a medium 3" topper. That was still too firm, so I put another 3" soft topper on top of the 3" medium topper. That was too soft - I had a hard time moving around (Sunk in/"stuck" feeling). I tried the soft only and still had that stuck in feeling. Now, I have the too soft innersprung mattress on top of the 9" sleep on latex mattress (The collective mattress is something like 2 feet tall) and of course it is still too soft.

I have slept in a memory foam mattress in a hotel, and by far it was the most uncomfortable I've ever slept in.

I'm thinking perhaps since I like the older sealy I have (It's got to be at least 15 years old) perhaps I like the feeling of the regular old foam they use to make the top layer. So I have been thinking of trying to find a good regular-not-memory-foam topper. I don't know how thick I should get and what ILD I should get. I did read that you can't compare the ILD from latex to regular foam. If I were to guess, I'd need something in between the soft and medium sleep-on-latex toppers, but perhaps 3" is too deep? I greatly appreciate any advice! Thank you

Hey LeoK,

Thanks for your reply .

My base came in got a free upgrade to the deluxe model with vibrators, as I thought a novelty, but very happy with base.

Congrats on the free upgrade to your adjustable bed base! Good to hear that you like it so far, and the vibrators do seem like a nice touch.

Now mattress progress, no bag yet just adjusting to a hybrid mattress, using a walmart cotton cover and sheets, the layers move around a bit, like the edge I sit on it slips the top layer in that direction.

Once you install a proper encasement around the mattress, that should minimize the layer shifting you're experiencing now. Have you decided what type cover you want to use? A thinner, stretchy soft cover would allow your body to conform to and feel the latex more, and a thicker quilted cover would add a firmer feel to the mattress.

Not happy with bed feel. Too much on it, not in it. On my back it is the best sleep ever, however on my side not good. I have to put a heavy queen size pillow against my back because the mattress wants to roll me over on my back. Also the latex foam with thin pad is a little hot, solved that by lower house temperature, but not the ideal method.

You describe yourself as a "XXHeavy side sleeper"; can you explain a bit more about what isn't good in your side-sleeping position, not enough sink? It seems odd that you're sleeping warm on the latex. Besides the Walmart cotton cover, what type sheets and other bed coverings are you using? The queen pillow you are using as leverage to keep from rolling onto your back could be adding heat as well; what type pillow is it?

So I ordered two more products, 2" layer of soft latex, and woolroom 1/2" thick quilted cover. Reason, looked at putting wool on the inside of the bag but was advised it will in time pack down, and hard to fluff back up. So I plan on the wool/bamboo zippered cover, but still need a washable mattress cover.

When 2" soft top layer arrives I'll put the woolroom cover over which should help with heat issues, and add to the pillow top feel. So the total is 6" pocket coil base, 3" Dunlop firm, 3"Latex medium, 2" latex soft. A 14" mattress, may have to put the 2" legs vs 4" legs on the base.

If this finally feels right I order a 14" zipper bag.

I think I could have ordered 2" layers and accomplished the same effect and save some money, but will never know for sure.

The bed is very lively and is easy to move around on, no memory effect, easy to get out of, and truly has no pressure points.

Overall, your DIY sounds like a good fit for you, LeoK. Hopefully once you get all of the components in place and encased properly, the side sleeping issue will correct itself. Good to know that you find the mattress easy to move around on with no pressure points to speak of. Thanks for sharing your experience and let us know how things go with the final setup .

Thanks,
Sensei