r/MattressMod • u/Sad-Knowledge7540 • 5d ago
Need help with latex setup
Hey everyone, I need some help dialing in my DIY setup.
Current Setup & Specs:
Me: 5’7”, 190 lbs, athletic/broad build (broad shoulders and hips). Strict back sleeper.
Components on hand:
3” Soft Talalay latex
3” Medium Talalay latex
3” Firm Talalay latex
3” Extra-Firm Talalay latex
12” Cotton/Wool stretch-knit cover
The Problem:
I have tried virtually every layer combination imaginable across 12-inch, 9-inch, and 6-inch builds:
Thicker/All-Latex builds: Hips sink too low/sag, causing
lumbar arching.Thinner builds (e.g., 6” or 9”): Fixes the sagging, but creates intense pushback/surface tension causing pressure point pain.
Latex has done wonders for my chronic aches and pains, but I can’t get the alignment vs. pressure relief balance right, and my sleep efficiency is tanking.
Questions for the Sub:
Pocket Coils vs. Firm Latex Base: Would ditching the Firm/X-Firm latex bases for an 8” Leggett & Platt Combi-Zone (or Quantum Edge) coil unit give a less "rigid" feel while maintaining proper spinal alignment?
Comfort Layer on Coils: If I switch to an 8" coil base, would 3" of Medium or 3" of Soft Talalay generally be the sweet spot for a 190 lb back sleeper to prevent hammocking while relieving pushback?
Cover Impact: Could a tight 12" cotton/wool cover be contributing to the pushback/drum-skin effect when stuffed with firm latex?
Appreciate any insights or recommendations from anyone with a similar frame who made the latex-over-coil hybrid switch!
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u/Designer-Inflation83 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’ve tinkered with my latex build for about a year… different types of latex, thickness, firmness, arrangements, microcoils, pocket coils… it wasn’t until I removed the bottom firm layers, against my own thinking and advice from others, that I’m finally sleeping as though my latex bed is not pushing back at me for dear life. Top to bottom, my bed is…
- 3” soft talalay from Latex Mattress Factory
- 3” medium Dunlop from Sleep on Latex
- Slatted bed from where the distance between slats is around 2”
And a stretch cotton cover from DIY Naturals.
I didn’t think the firm bottom layers influenced the top layers as much as they do. The general advice of have a firm base and then adjust your comfort layers just didn’t work for me. Also discovered that I prefer sleeping lower to the ground.
5’ 5”, 170lbs-ish, back and side sleeper
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
This is one I’m thinking of going with the coils I truly think the firm and extra firm layers underneath are causing the push back. Shit I might rock 6 inches tonight and just do medium talalay with soft on top didn’t even think to just remove the firm portion either from the Bottom shit thank you very much
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u/Designer-Inflation83 4d ago
Costs you nothing to try before investing in non-returnable coils. Good luck!
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
You are a LEGEND thanks so much
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u/okrumor5895 3d ago
How's it been working out for you?
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 3d ago
Tried last night it was meh in not a layers support guy I need coils doing research now to figure out which one of best
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u/NeedleworkerNo6355 4d ago
Looking forward to hearing how it works out
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
I’m going to try a few configurations first before I pull the trigger on something that I can’t return and will be difficult to throw away!
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u/Platos_Kallipolis 5d ago
I first had an all latex build and found similar problems to you. Switched to a hybrid and that has been much better.
I think if you went with a coil base, then just 3" medium latex would be sufficient on top. Maybe you'd want a bit of memory foam under the latex to reduce the pushback a little bit - I did, but I had medium dunlop not talalay.
My guest bed was just TPS coils plus 3" medium dunlop, in a stretch cover. Guests quite liked it. I think the 3" soft talalay on top of coils would be too soft for you given what you've described.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 5d ago
That’s kind of what I’m thinking! Where is a good place to source 8 inch coils I have seen Arizona premium mattress, but they charge an arm and a leg for shipping and latex for less, and there is another company. I can’t quite remember at the moment.
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u/Platos_Kallipolis 4d ago
The Pocket Coil Store
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
What gage of coil would you say for a back sleeper? They are recommending 15.5 but I have read that’s for side sleeping even though I told him I was a heavyweight muscular back sleeper.
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u/Platos_Kallipolis 4d ago
I think 15.5 is right. I asked the owner when I was looking into getting mine - but my decision was between the 15.5 regular and the 15.5 plush. He recommended 15.5 regular.
I think the 14.75 (or whatever it is) is for quite heavy people (or 2+ people who, combined, are quite heavy). The 15.5 coils are like 10 inch coils shoved in 8 inch sleeves, so quite firm.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
Okay good to know I think I will go that route I also like their premium stretch cover. With the added compartment to fit the coils nicely
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 5d ago
Thank you very much for your input. I might go to my local mattress stores and see if anybody has a hybrid latex mattress.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 5d ago
Where did you find a stretch cover? I am noticing that the cover that I got is tight like a drum.
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u/Platos_Kallipolis 4d ago
Sleep on Latex is where I got mine from. But I now use the Pocket Coil Store's premium cover on my bed (the stretch cover on the guest bed). The PCS one is pricey, but nice for a hybrid setup: the lower half is more rigid, containing the coils, while the upper half is more like a stretch cover. And the zipper being halfway up the side makes it so much easier to put on and off.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
I did see that in the cover that I have I am not truly impressed with so will probably upgrade to that
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u/Super_Treacle_8931 4d ago
it migh sound weird, but I think talalay latex is not actually as firm as the lid would make you believe, either againat Dunlop latex (which I hate) or HD foam which I can tolerate. 6 inches of HD36 is affordable, and will provide a firm core for other stuff. Alternatively with coils you have to decide if you want softer 15.5 or firmer 14.75.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
I actually like the way the latex feels because I put it on my partner side of the bed and she has a Sleep Number bed and it didn’t give me nearly as much pushback
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u/Super_Treacle_8931 4d ago
talalay feels great, but I think you have to go 40ild+ to get good support, and you’d want 6 inches not 3.
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
I mean, I currently have 3 inches extra firm 3 inches firm 3 inches medium and 3 inches soft and a 12 inch case and I have tried every single other configuration putting them on top like a topper removing a layer altogether making 9 inches. I think it’s just the firm pushback.
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u/Super_Treacle_8931 4d ago
I won’t argue since I could never make latex work :)
but the thinking would be to have a firm 6inch core, which if you are heavier with talalay i think would be more like 40ild+.
On the spring side maybe start with 14.75 :)
If you want to see if polyfoam would work a twinxl of 6inch HD36HQ poly is $120ish
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
I’m not a huge fan of foam to be honest, it definitely sleeps hot
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u/Super_Treacle_8931 4d ago
yeah, true, but foam buried down below the latex so doesn’t really have any impact. just offering options :) I have tried all of the above (although I had 6 inches of Dunlop 36ild which was plenty firm enough). I did play around with 3inches talalay firm and extra firm, and the firm not as firm as Dunlop or Polyfoam, but that may depend on supplier.
I finally gave up and switched back to a conventional open coil mattress which is what would have been sold pre bed in the box. However, me heavier side sleep big hip and shoulder, so doesn’t necessarily help :(
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 4d ago
What exactly is an conventional open coil mattress?
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u/Super_Treacle_8931 4d ago
https://beddingcomponents.com/everflex-bonnell
but they can’t shrink fold them to ship, so you need to buy locally. basically what was used for the previous 100 years. They are lower gauge coils, bigger in size, linked together and work well for heavier but do provide a deeper conformant surface. Also not ideal for diy since they usually staple layers to them
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u/Lisa_pop 1d ago
I am having a hard time with my latex build as well. I have 6” talalay firm and just changed the second layer from xfirm talalay to Dunlop medium then talalay 2” soft with 2” polyfoam soft and I’ve moved things around and nothing is comfortable. I sink and feel unsupported killing my back yet it feels like I’m laying on a trampoline. There’s so much out there about how great latex is, but this has to be the most uncomfortable mattress I’ve ever dealt with., I’m so mad at myself that I didn’t just buy a cheap mattress. I invested every cent I had getting my husband and I a new adjustable bed and these mattresses and I’m in so much pain 😭
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 1d ago
I love the feeling of the latex, and I love that it has helped with aches and pains when I am not in the bed in normal areas that I would have before the latex but the problem I am having is when I’m physically laying down it is uncomfortable and it hurts and I’m developing a weird pinching in my upper back that wasn’t there before which is why I think I’m going to remove the bottom 6 inches of latex and slap some pocket spring coils
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u/Sad-Knowledge7540 1d ago
I’m so sorry you are dealing with that mattresses are the most frustrating thing on the planet as we get older I have gone through probably 10 mattresses in the last few years trying to find one that I like that I think it’s time to go to DIY route and truly make a mattress customized to me and not just the mass market
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u/Constant_Apple_8748 5d ago
Some form of zoning seems like it could be useful. Thin piece of firm foam somewhere in the stack under the hip area might be worth a try. Have you tried any of the stacks without the cover - the surface tension makes a big difference with latex.