Hi NikkTMU,

Thank you for your response! I tried out the Nest and thought it was nice — about the right firmness, great pressure relief. But I'd really like to avoid polyfoam because of concern about VOCs, and unfortunately it's quilted rather thickly into the top layer. I'm now thinking I'd like to try a mattress that doesn't have such a thick top layer above the latex, and add a wool topper for surface softness.

Unfortunately, I don't have enough time within the return window to try a topper on the Charles P Rogers bed. It's already so thick that I've been resisting this option, and now this is what I get for waffling.

At this point I'm considering just trying the Avocado or perhaps the MyGreenMattress Natural Escape, which should be somewhat less firm than the Avocado (it has 3" of 24 ILD Dunlop, vs 2"). Am I correct in thinking that a 1 or 2-inch layer of soft Talalay over 2 or 3 inches of 24 ILD Dunlop could be comfortable? Is there reason to think that one of these options would be better than the other, if I'm anticipating needing to add a topper?

I'm also considering the Flexus QuadraFlex, which would give me the benefit of split Talalay layers that can be exchanged for a different firmness.

Look into something adjustable.

1-Flobed Vzone...infinitely flexible. Latex. Im not a fan of latex, but don't let that stop you.
2-Flexus Comfort 13 inch mattress. Latex with 4 ...3 inch layers of latex that can be modified. You get 1 core exchange. King size? $1984. I actually went there to lay on the beds. All latex for you is definitely the was to go over the latex hybrid. All latex gives you 4 layers to manipulate.
3-Arizona Premium...latex. Call them up to see what they say.

I like VZone for you because you have a the top layer Vzone that is adjustable which is perfect for you. I think the Tempurpedic Pro Adapt Medium might work well for you. I thought the Pro Adapt Medium was so sumptuous and luxurious. Its not for me because I weigh 225 and you weight 165. I sank too far into it. I guess you can try Costco beds because of the return policy...all it costs you is time.

Dark horse entry would be Intellibed Matrix Supreme (soft). They have a whole series of 5 Matrix beds. The "Supreme" surname changes....for example Matrix Deluxe. It was hard to decide between the 5 Matrix Intellibed beds. But the sales guy at Mathis Brothers (Ontario, California) stated that the Intellibed Matrix Supreme was the bestseller in the Intellibed line. Supposedly, Intellibed can be firm and soft at the same time. Purple beds are a derivative of Intellibed. Some here hate Purple Bed.....but only your opinion matters.

I was not sold on the Intellibed buckling gel matrix and felt that Tempurpedic was better for me.

When you try your mattresses, try to test them all in the same day. Go back several times to a store even if you get irritating.

I will extrapolate to make an educated guess....go with Flobeds Vzone or Tempurpedic....but do what you want and try them all. Ignore all reviews and opinions including mine.


John

Look up my thread "Dont be cheap with mattresses".

Im as cheap and frugal as they come, but I don't skimp on beds. Lets say your ideal mattress is $4300. and you go cheap and get a less than ideal mattress for $3500. Now you have a back ache. Now you have to go out and buy the $4300 mattress too. Now you have spent $7800. It is better to go with ideal mattress right off the bat and spend $4300. In the long run, $4300 is cheap. Don't have the money? Get a loan or do DoorDash.

I did go over to Flexus Comfort and their latex mattresses are amazing. They can do split king. I think split king was $1984 and they might even have Memorial Day sale.

Flobed Vzone had Cinco De Mayo sale on King Vzone. Normally $4200, but $800 of with sale brings it to $3400. What is there to think about? You are only out $200 (shipping) and you have unlimited latex core switch outs. I guess Arizona Premium is good too from what I have read. Im not a fan of latex personally, but it works for others.

The Purple beds are a poor man's version of the Intellibeds. Purple 4 did not work for me, but you should check it out for yourself. The buckling gel columns seems great for side sleepers. Recommendation ? Purple Hybrid 3 or Purple Hybrid (2). Im not a fan of technology anymore, but you might like it. Just because I (or anyone else) like it or hate it...ignore that. Try it yourself. Im a back sleeper.

I love Tempurpedic myself. Pro Adapt Medium, Pro Adapt Medium Hybrid, Pro Adapt Soft, Luxe Adapt Soft. I like Pro Adapt Firm and Luxe Adapt Firm myself. Some here say Tempurpedic is terrible....that may or may not be true. Try it yourself. My opinion? I feel that Tempurpedic is absolutely heavenly and so different from anything else that I have felt. The absolute best in memory foam. I visited a few mattress stores and the only brand that was carried in every store was Tempurpedic. There must be a reason. I know that consensus is often wrong, but is it wrong every time? Im a huge Tempurpedic fan.


Let me know what you get.

John

Hi karia,

Welcome to our Mattress Forum!

I am a 60 yrs old, 106 lb female with sciatica and hip pain. I sleep on a Stearns & Foster mattress which is about ten years old but still in a good condition. I need a topper to soften the surface. I was thinking of a 1" soft talalay latex topper. I checked Amazon offerings but they are mostly dunlap. I've read that talalay provides more cushioning.

The good news is that you can always s make a mattress that feels too firm a little softer by adding a topper. The choice of material is good too as both Talalay and Dunlop latex have great pressure-relieving qualities but also provide additional secondary support for the recessed areas of your body. Latex has an unusual combination of surface softness and deeper firmness/support that comes from its elasticity, and can certainly be an effective way to add some additional "cushioning". Toppers are designed to add comfort to a mattress that does not sag but is too firm and needs some pressure relief qualities. When you use a topper over a mattress the topper will compress and in combination with the layers below it will take on the shape of your body profile. Softer toppers will compress more than firmer toppers. This "cradle" formed by the upper layers re-distributes weight away from the pressure points of the body.

Sometimes choosing a topper can be as difficult as choosing a mattress as it takes a bit of trial and error to dial in and find the exact combo of support/comfort best for your needs. If you need just a bit of “cushioning”, then 1” of Talalay might be all thickness you’d need, but before you decide on how much thickness and what comfort level do you need (soft, medium soft, medium, firm etc.) you’d take into account a few other factors to select the appropriate thickness/firmness for your needs and preferences and for mitigating your sciatica and hip pain.

You did not mention your primary sleeping position, nor your height, but if you are a side sleeper you may need a bit more thickness for your topper. There is more information about choosing a topper in post #2 here and the topper guidelines it links to, which along with a conversation with a reliable and knowledgeable supplier (that can provide you with good information about how their toppers compare to each other or to other toppers they are familiar with that are available on the market), can help.

Please I need your expertise, help me to find an online store with a good return policy.

In general, a good starting point for a good comfort layer for a side sleeper is 3" and then depending on weight, body shape, preferences, and the firmness of the support layers, to go up or down from there. Most side sleepers will fall in the range of from 2" - 4".

Toppers, like mattresses, are a comfort choice , so your preferences for components, fabrications, thickness, etc. will all factor into your selection. Here are a few important guidelines
~ If the mattress needs just a "touch to a little" extra softness or a softer "surface feel" ... then a 1" topper is usually enough.
~ If you need a little to a fair bit of extra softness and pressure relief ... then a 2" topper would be in the average range. Given that you are lighter this may prove to be a good option for you.
~ Generally Heavier weights do better with firmer and thicker toppers. Lighter weights generally do best with softer and thinner toppers.

At a quick glance I could find some of our trusted members that offer latex topers, but most of the Talalay toppers that are offered come in 2”-4” thickness. You may consider giving the manufacturers a call to see if they would be willing to slice a topper for you to fit your desired thickness, or enquire if perhaps they would have some other unlisted options that may be of help to you. Just in case you are reconsidering the topper material from Talalay to Dunlop I also listed some manufacturers who offer 1” Dunlop toppers..
No matter what you end up selecting, I'd make sure to ask the company about the topper's return policy as some of the retailers/manufacturers do not accept topper returns or exchanges.

Once you get a chance to peruse the information and links mentioned above I’d make sure to check out our Trusted Members here Most have good quality toppers and I have no doubt that they will not hesitate to help you find the best combo and thickness/softness they have available that works for you. As you may have gathered, It usually takes a bit of trial and error and a bit of time spent on the mattress to ensure that you "dialed in" the best mattress/topper combination suitable for you. I’d make sure that whatever you chose has a good exchange policy as you won’t be able to take your new mattress with you to a shop to test the mattress/topper combination as they do not work in isolation.

I hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Phoenix

Hi scrg51.

Sorry to hear your mattress wasn't able to make the move with you.

As long as it supports my back/neck, and it's not a rip-off, I think I'll be ok for at least 10 years(??).

This depends on the durability of the components. If it's super low quality and cheap, you may be expecting more like 3 - 5 years out of the mattress. You can review our recommended Durability Guidelines here.

As for the two you mentioned, the information is very limited so it's hard for me to make any sort of commentary on how suitable or durable the mattress would be (unless they've gotten back to you with more specific details, of course!).

NikkiTMU

Hello!

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but hoping I can get some advice. Last year, I had the Quadra Flexus Hybrid mattress HERE -- and enjoyed it for a few months. Due to life situations, I have moved and am now looking for a new mattress, but no longer feel the need to go all out for a mattress. As long as it supports my back/neck, and it's not a rip-off, I think I'll be ok for at least 10 years(??).

I'm really not well versed in any other mattresses because of how much time I spent researching the Quadra Flexus mattress/brand, and wanted to see if anyone could point me in the right direction. These are some mattresses I've come across -- not even sure if the description on the page helps any -- and I'm waiting for customer service to get back to me on specs/brand name.... would these be potential options for someone around 5'5", 127-133 lbs, back sleeper, neck/upper back problems from poor posture (really trying not evolve into degenerative disc/slipped disc)? I think I'm also more of a medium to firm kinda gal.

`1. OPTION 1
2. OPTION 2

I apologize if this is not enough information, and hope to return with further specs soon!

Hi HybridQuest
Welcome to The Mattress Underground

Any help appreciated, as I need to get a mattress in a few weeks so I'd like to order in the next day or so

You came to the right place for some guidance on your mattress shopping journey. I’ll start with a little word of caution because giving into the need to "get a mattress within a couple of days" and rushing this process may send you tumbling down a rabbit hole of trials, errors, and frustration and cause you to easily fall prey to marketing stories and sale rep promises.

I am looking for companies that offer the ability to have different levels of firmness in a queen mattress. My husband is 5' 10" 195lbs and prefers a firmer feel that supports at the hips and I am 5' 1" 118lbs and although I also prefer a somewhat firm mattress, due to shoulder/hip issues I need more softness.

Sure, we can point to you many companies that “offer the ability to have different levels of firmness in a queen mattress” but I am not sure this will serve you well without determining if the shoulder/hip issues are due to a lack of softness. While your guess that an inappropriate comfort is what causes your shoulder/hip issues may be right, I’d keep in mind there are other causes that you may want to take into consideration along the way.

You don’t describe the type of shoulder/hip issues you are having. Generally, they can be comfort (pressure point) related, support (spine alignment) related, or both. Some causes can include:
• Your needs changing over time due to aging or due to any personal stats and postural changes
• The foams in your current mattress breaking down and allowing your hips and shoulders to bottom out on the firmer layers below
• The foams in your current mattress breaking down and compromising your spinal alignment
• Inappropriate pillow
• Non-rigid and sagging foundation.
• Overlapping of any of the above.

Some questions that will give a better idea and how to guide you.
How long ago did your issues start (When did you first notice them)? Did your husband notice any changes as well? What are your sleeping positions? What is your body type and where do you tend to carry your weight? Did anything else change lately either in your sleeping postures or health-related? What kind of issues are you experiencing (numbness, tingling, etc.)? When in the course of the night do these issues tend to appear? Do they go away during the day? If you can find this info for your current mattress it would be useful to know the mattress type, thickness, and layering of your Sterns and Fosters and a brief history with them. Is mattress durability important to you or are you looking to purchase a temporary mattress that will last you 2-3 years?

Thinking on this a bit, I'm wondering if he might be ok with a very firm support, while allowing for a very soft top layer... that we both might be ok with the same..

This may be very appropriate in your case but again the process of finding a mattress that is a good match for your unique body needs and preferences can be a bit challenging especially if your needs changed over the years. As you most likely read throughout our site, the matching must be based on your PPP ((Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) as well as your stats (height, BMI, sleeping position(s), and any underlying health issues.

I think we need at least 8" of coils as some of the mattresses my husband tried in the store felt as if he was sinking in the middle and one of these had 6" coils. There are likely other factors than the coils that may have contributed to this 'sinking'.

You are correct that there are many “other factors than the coils” height ....(the coil count, gauge, and coil turn to name just a few) There are far too many variables at work that are interrelated and are responsible for how a mattress interacts with any specific person so judging just based on coil height only would be misleading. The first "rule" of mattress shopping is to always remember that you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress and there are too many unknowns, variables, and personal preferences involved that are unique to each person to use a formula or for anyone to be able to predict or guess what your husband might have experienced with the mattress he tried in the store. If you can provide the details and specifics of the two particular mattresses, he tested I can certainly venture to make some comments. The combination of materials and components or which type of mattress would be the best "match" for you in terms of "comfort", firmness, or PPP or how a mattress will "feel" to you or compare to another mattress based on specs (either yours or a mattress), sleeping positions, health conditions, or "theory at a distance" that can possibly be more reliable than your own careful testing (hopefully using the testing guidelines in step 4 of the tutorial) or your own personal sleeping experience (see post #2 here ).

I think a non-zoned coil would be best due to my height and I had read some people had issues with them.

I agree that shorter sleepers have difficulties with zoning and in most cases, it would be unnecessary, especially for petite people. This said it all depends on how deep into the mattress the pocket coil is. The further away your body is, the less you'll feel any of the zoning. Zoning, in general, is suitable for people that have more difficulty finding a mattress with the right "balance" between comfort/pressure relief (under the shoulders especially) and support/alignment (under the hips/pelvis especially) or who have more challenging circumstances or sensitivities, body types that are more difficult to "match" to a mattress, more complex medical issues, or who have a history of having more difficulty in finding a mattress that works well for them. There is more about zoning in this article and in post #11 here and the additional posts it links to but the only way to know whether any specific mattress (zoned or otherwise) will be a good match for you in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP will be based on careful testing or your own personal experience.

So any advice on couples getting around having to do the dual configuration? We currently have a very firm (very old) Stearns & Foster that we both like except for me needing more softness due to my shoulder.

It sounds like you put in a fair bit of research & consideration on your new mattress already! As mentioned above we'd need more data from you to be able to determine if you can get"around having to do the dual configuration".

Sleep EZ offers the 360 Hybrid Pillowtop which allows you to choose this split comfort and does not have zoned coils. So my main question is are there any other companies that will do this?
We would consider all latex too, although thinking the hybrid might be less heavy, more breathable, and possibly less expensive. Any help appreciated as I need to get a mattress in a few weeks so I'd like to order in the next day or so..

That’s correct, hybrids generally are “ less heavy, more breathable, and less expensive” but again it depends on the foams used on top of the coils. Memory Foam is notorious for sleeping hot which would detract from the good ventilation of a pocket coil, Memory foam is also less durable in lower density so you’d need to find the mattress specifications you need to know so you can compare the quality of the materials and components to the mattress durability guidelines here

There are thousands of options available for both hybrids and all latex mattresses, but again it really depends on what feel you are looking for in a mattress. You can do a quick You mention Trusted Member of the site Arizona SleepEZ and I consider them to be among the best in the industry in terms of quality/value, and customer service They can help "talk you through" the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and "feel" of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness, etc.) and the options they have available that may be the best "match" for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the "averages" of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about "matching" their specific mattress designs, options, and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else.. Their 360 Hybrid Pillowtop has 1188 count 8” pocketed 16 gauge coils with 15 gauge coils around the edge, 2 layers of latex with different comfort levels, and the mattress can be flipped to provide even wear and comfort options as well. Many of the Trusted members of the site offer latex and latex hybrid mattresses; Trusted member Luma Sleep offers a Natural Hybrid Latex Mattress with split comfort option on the King Size, and Flexus Comfort Mattress offers a dual comfort latex mattress with both a medium and firm side as well

I am not sure what you've read since you found us and if you came across tutorial post here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choices ... and know-how and why to avoid the worst ones which would include the major brands such as Serta or any mattress where you aren't able to find out the quality of the materials inside it. If mattress longevity is of concern you will certainly benefit from reading the Mattress Specifications you need to know here as well as the Mattress Durability Guidelines here to get a better idea of the various materials and how they hold up over time.

Once you've done a bit more ‘leg work’ to prepare for discussing your needs with the manufacturer you choose (provided that they are transparent and have your best interests at heart) they'll generally help find the best option for you and your husband. Do let us know how your search progresses.

Phoenix

Hi ijw1212,

I really want to apologize for not getting back to you. I'm not sure why we did not get some of the emails you sent us. We periodically check spam folders because from time to time messages get sent there. I would be happy to talk to you and help resolve the firmness issue you are experiencing with the latex. I did leave you a voice mail message earlier today to give us a call.

Hi ijw1212.

I've stopped even trying to sleep in the bed. And we are now well past the 90 day limit for Flexus's guarantee, so I am guessing at this point I am on my own if I still want to replace this later. But I felt it was important to share my experience to caution those shopping for mattresses that they should be really sure about their configuration if they decide to order from Flexus.

First off, I am glad that you felt compelled to share your experience. Negative or Positive feedback, when granted, are good propellers to make corrections or in the case of positive feedback to maintain the rudder pointing in a good direction and let others know what works.

I won't speculate as to what may have happened, technical or otherwise that Henry did not get back to you. I will say that I have noticed a pattern of Flexus "going under" and then resurfacing in terms of customer service and supply chain disruptions he had to deal with during the covid "era" .
I will email Henry directly and then follow up with a phone call tomorrow.

For ease of reference it would help if you could resurface the email you sent Henry and forward this email to me [phoenix (at) the mattress underground. Com]

Flexus Comfort's commitment to excellent customer service was one of the many criteria considered when they entered the TMU community and they are expected to maintain it. Assuming that your email to him for a change of comfort layer was during the "90-day guarantee" I am hoping you will give Henry a chance to help with your issue and answer any additional questions. I'll be emailing him with your post comments and although I cannot speak for him, I expect he would be in touch with you, and most likely happy to have a chance to address this issue as he did in the past in a few similar situations.

Please keep in mind too that these smaller manufacturers/ retailers wear many hats with fewer extra hands around, especially in the midst of these unusual times when everything takes so much longer. FYI … and I am not sure if this is the case with Flexus but from the pulse I take by being in contact with many people in the industry, even though these smaller manufacturers are trying to "tough it out" in spite of lockdowns etc. and many times things may slip through the cracks when a business finds itself in a virtual "survival" mode.

Thanks for your patience and for being in a wisdom-oriented frame of mind rather than, as you so well put it "being a high maintenance customer who demands service yesterday "

I hope that TMU can contribute to resolving this and that you come through the "hectic" times with less stress.
I'll be waiting for your forward of the email you sent to Henry
Phoenix

Hi everyone,

I don't like posting negative reviews, but after months of trying to get Flexus Comfort to respond to my voicemails and emails, I'm pretty aggravated and felt it was important to share my experience.

I purchased a split Queen mattress from them last August, and it was delivered around the 1st of November. Shortly after assembling the bed, I sent an email to Henry explaining that I thought the bed was too firm and asked to have one of my layers swapped out as part of their 90 day guarantee. This message was ignored. Over the last few months, I have periodically called and left messages and sent follow-up emails, and I have gotten nowhere. I have waited between contact attempts to avoid being a high maintenance customer who demands service yesterday (plus my own life has been hectic), most recently emailing them in March. I am really puzzled why I have gotten no responses - I would have expected a more diligent approach to service from one of the Mattress Underground's recommended suppliers. They were certainly much more responsive when I was a prospective customer than as an unsatisfied one.

I've stopped even trying to sleep in the bed. And we are now well past the 90 day limit for Flexus's guarantee, so I am guessing at this point I am on my own if I still want to replace this later. But I felt it was important to share my experience to caution those shopping for mattresses that they should be really sure about their configuration if they decide to order from Flexus.

Hi vicki4mattress,

I live in the Los Angeles County area in California. What's a good local mattress manufacturer? I'm feeling overwhelmed. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Sorry to hear of your difficulties on your mattress search, I agree it can be overwhelming! You did not mention any of your particular stats (height, BMI, sleeping position(s) and any underlying health issues), nor any of your history with other mattresses and preferences so the first step is (If you have not already) to take a look at the Mattress Shopping Tutorial and also the mattress specifications you need to know this will give you a better idea of what to look for and avoid on your mattress search.
Outside of whether a mattress is a good match for you in terms of PPP ... a mattress is only as good as the quality of the materials inside it so regardless of the name of the manufacturer. There are literally thousands of mattresses on the market and to narrow things down, the next step is to decide on the type of materials you like in your mattress (memory foam, latex, innerspring, polyfoam, etc) the style of mattress (latex, foam, hybrid...) to get a general idea of what you want.

I had a quick look at the Trusted members , and see that Flexus Comfort Mattress Company is located in Covina in LA County at 808 E. Edna Place (800)577-8136; also Nest Bedding has a showroom in Los Angeles, at 12345 Ventura Blvd, Suite K, in Studio City, (818) 459-3738. Also trusted member GhostBed is carried by Macy’s, who have 3 locations in LA (I would call to see which of them carry mattresses before visiting). Many of our trusted members also offer online sales with generous trial periods and easy return policies.

Hopefully, some of our other forum members who live in or near Los Angeles will weigh in on their experiences with local retailers as well.

Basilio

NikkiTMU wrote:

Hi Todd123.

You may be able to identify where they are sourcing their latex from on their site, but my guess is with the number of certifications each company has on their latex, they're quite comparable. In this case, the price disparity is just one of those things.

NikkiTMU

come on mod team.



natural and organic are not the same thing. The raw materials for organic latex are certified to be free of pesticides, come from sustainable farms, treat their workers fairly, etc, etc and as a result costs more. Natural latex has no such certification but the label should distinguish products from blended latex, which is a mix of natural and synthetic materials.

Both Flexus and SleepEZ sell natural and organic models. From personal experience I can also tell you the "100% natural" model from flexus actually mixes natural dunlop and blended talalay. Blended talalay is a perfectly good product but it is cheaper to produce and it would be nice if that was accurately labeled on the flexus website.

Hi Todd123.

Welcome to our Mattress Forum.

Price differences can come down to a lot of things, from the lot pricing given for the latex from the original producer, to the size of the order made for components, to the price of shipping, operating costs, to the markup required to keep their business generating revenue and paying the light bill.

I couldn't tell you why these seemingly similar mattresses vary so widely in price, but Sleep EZ offers a much more limited selection in comparison with Flexus' stock.

NikkiTMU

I was looking at the Natural latex bed “10” from Flexus comfort and the Organic latex “10” mattress from Sleepez. Not sure why the big price difference between the two beds. Using same materials but Flexcomfort is $1899 and Sleepez is $2399.

www.flexuscomfort.com/mattresses/natural-latex-mattress.html#

sleepez.com/products/organic-latex-mattress

lantern71 wrote:

Have to agree that 19ild seems like a poor choice for individuals my size and larger. I don't understand how it gets recommended so frequently but maybe I am in the minority.

I was able to order 24ild blended talalay (Talalay Global) through Flexus. I am still waiting for it to come in but I am concerned it will not solve my problem. Another individual on the forum recently received the same product and it ended up being on the softer end of the range at 22-23ild. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the layer I receive ends up at the target ild or slightly firmer. It will be at least a few weeks until I can report back, but I'll let you know how things turn out.

Regardless I think you previously mentioned Flexus was unwilling place additional special orders due to supply chain issues. However, I believe Flexus regularly stocks dunlop in 25ild. If you are looking for talalay you would have to call vendors and see if they are willing to special order. You can also ask about blended talalay from Radium Foam. Radium's product have to be imported from Europe, which has been an issue from what I hear, but they do make a blended talalay with a target ild of 25.7.

Just a few comments that might help.

I'm actually using a 2" layer of natural 22ILD talalay along with my 2" Flobeds convoluted topper and that seems to do the trick of providing enough pressure relief (as long as the alignment is good) on the comfort layer for both my wife and myself. Not sure this will work for everyone as a comfort layer setup but I mention it just so people have design options.

I know you've been focused on getting the perfect layer of firmness on your design but have you thought about about what the plan is if you have to replace it in the future for some reason? I would be curious what kind of issues this might cause trying to get it perfect again later. I only mention this since that limitation was one of the reasons that drove me towards using zoning rather than single layers (the other being the performance capabilities of talalay for a given ILD). I'm all for simpler/cheaper designs but I also see being able to replace or change different sections of the mattress at will as a huge design benefit in both perfromance and maintenance of any mattress. I initially was going to do all the cutting/zoning myself on my design but then I decided to try the easy route and see if Flobeds system couldn't fix my issue with alot less hassle. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap but I had made this decision before I even realized they have the same guarantee with the zoning layer as they do with the rest of the mattress (ie free layer exchange). Once you crunch the numbers on how many different ILDs you'd need and the cost of buying full 3" talalay layers to cut up suddenly you realize this system was way more economical than I originally thought (exception might be if you don't need many ILD options). I figured I would throw out my own experience of going through the design process as something you may wish to consider anyway.

From what I understand the Radium foam is still extremely hard to get (not sure who is even selling it now in the US) and most of the major mattress names on here moved over to using TG during the pandemic since they just couldn't get any product from Radium due to ongoing supply chain problems.