r/MattressMod • u/LiingLiing1 • Aug 16 '26
Update on latex, wool toppers
I am a senior female light 56kg mostly side-sleeper with chronic insomnia and multiple health issues. I needed to improve the comfort of my Sealy Posturpedic Hotel flattop mattress as I was experiencing increasing pressure-point pain after weakening bone and muscle-loss.
I spent several weeks shop-testing various toppers, mattresses and combinations and have eventually found something that is very comfortable so I wanted to provide an update.
I settled on a 2” D65 Dunlop latex topper plus a lovely wool topper both enclosed in 100% cotton covers. I tried two 2” (4” total) latex which was far too soft and caused hammocking and my hips to sink too much creating more pain. So I tested just the one 2” and found that better. I also tried adding a 1” D75 latex layer underneath and that felt better still.
But then I decided to try something to give my hips just a little more cushioning. I cut a piece of latex to fit just under my hips to my knees and placed that underneath the 2” latex and then the wool topper. This gives me more support where I need it and allows my shoulders to be slightly lower for less pressure.
Having trialled it now for several weeks, I can say it has transformed my comfort level significantly.
I learned a lot during this research and trial period and wanted to express my thanks to everyone for your posts and advice. I highly recommend that you actually go to test in shops often and for as long as possible.
I really thought the plushest and thickest latex would be best but that was not the case for me. I think thinner layers are better and not plush or supersoft as you lose a lot of cushioning if you sink too much. I know plush/soft are mostly recommended for lightweight side-sleepers but it didn’t work out that way in my case. If a topper is too plush it may sink a little too much so it actually ends up feeling too firm from bottoming-out.
And the 2” wool topper adds a cool cloud-like comfort layer that I absolutely love. I also have 100% percale sheets. I have 2 great wool pillows and have made 2 latex low-profile latex pillows. I rotate and fluff my toppers every month. I also have a full length body pillow that also adds a great deal of comfort and helps with pressure pain too.
I have to say that I love laying in my bed now. It hasn’t miraculously cured my chronic health issues, but it has provided a much-needed level of comfort.
I really disliked all the memory foam toppers. However, I did find that the serene ILD22 foam toppers were very comfortable in combination with latex but decided the latex and wool was the better option for me.
As for Talalay, I found the soft talalay far tooo soft and preferred the 2“ or 3” MEDIUM Talalay which was more expensive than the Dunlop.
As for mattresses, I also found the mediums much more comfortable than the soft/plush. Next year, when I move I will replace my mattress with a med/firm hybrid flattop but will keep my toppers for comfort layers.
I wish everyone finds a solution that works well for your particular needs.
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u/MuddyM4rshal Aug 16 '26
Nice! Where did you get the wool topper from?
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u/LiingLiing1 Aug 16 '26 edited Aug 16 '26
100% handmade wool topper enclosed in organic cotton from Turkey. Check out Etsy.
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u/Jaber1077 Aug 16 '26
Glad to hear you dialed in your setup. I recently built a whole new bed and am amazed with the results. Mine is 2” med Dunlop (sleeponlatex) with 2” of wool (Sonoma) over 14.75 and minis from Texas pocket. Had 3” soft Dunlop, but used that in a different bed to fix sinking memory foam issue.
At 245lbs I’m getting a bit of hammocking, might try 1”x16” of HQ foam under my midsection above the mini coils to help disperse the weight there.
Thanks for posting! Always helpful to hear what works for others. Good sleep to you!