u/Correct-Guidance-597

Just wanted to share some thoughts on this since I’ve been seeing some advice suggesting 2” latex in place of 1” because 1” toppers are harder to find. (Which is not true, at least not anymore.) SleepOnLatex.com has 1” Dunlop toppers available in soft, medium, and firm.

I feel like when I was planning my DIY mattress, the advice around 1” toppers is that it will slightly change the feel, but not provide any support. Which is putting it too simply.

I’ve been experimenting with my layers and have found that a 1” medium was a sufficient transition layer between a 3” firm and 2” talalay super soft.

I also tried a 2” layer in the same placement, and it was too thick to maintain the amount of support I needed from the firm layer.

Edit: I am a lightweight back sleeper for context which is important to note, as a heavier sleeper or side sleeper would have different needs and experiences with this.

As latex builders know, it’s the system as a whole, not just the individual layers that make a sufficient mattress.

I think 1” soft layers would actually be a great way to add some plushness to the comfort layer if you’re lacking pressure relief, but can’t compromise your support.

I haven’t tried this, but it’s definitely worth considering!

In fact, I wonder, if it would be useful to order 1” layers adding up to what you need. That way you can really fine tune your build. Multiple 1” layers function differently than one 3” layer for example, it’s said they are able to distribute weight better from layer to layer.

When putting weight in one spot on a 1” it compresses to the next layer “sooner.” You get less of the drum-effect than you would with a 2” or 3”.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you have a 1” layer in your build?

Stats: back sleeper, lightweight

Current build:
2” super soft
2” soft
1” medium
8” Bolsa coils

So this is my first attempt at my mattress and I’ve found that it’s too soft to provide enough support for my back/hips.

I think I need to get rid of the 2” soft layer because it’s not allowing me to reach the more supportive layers beneath.

And I’m thinking of buying either a 1” or 2” firm to go above the coils.
A 1” would make the medium + firm 2” of support.
A 2” would be a firm foundation with 1” medium transition.

What do you think I should go with and why?

Would 1” be enough?
Alternatively, if I get a 1” firm and it’s not enough, do you think buying another 1” would work or would it be not as effective as a 2” firm layer.

Any suggestions for alternatives are appreciated

Mattress Mod warriors pls help