The Original Latex Foam Buying Guide

 What is Latex Foam ?

Latex foam is an excellent product that can seriously aid an individual in gaining healthy, rehabilitative sleep. Latex foam is re-emerging as a premier sleep surface in the American marketplace due to its inherent health benefits, eco-friendly qualities, and durability.

Latex foam is derived from the rubber tree and comes either 100% natural latex or in a manmade blend. When used in mattresses, latex foam can be made in the Talalay or Dunlop processes. Not to be confused with memory foam, latex foam has a more “bouncy” feel, yet still is a soft, comfortable sleep surface. Many people choose latex foam for this added sensation of support, as well as the breathability of latex foam. Since latex foam is produced with “pincore” holes, it breathes much better than a memory foam mattress and is less temperature sensitive. Quality latex foam is known to last thirty years or longer before signs of wear and tear are present.

Latex mattresses come either as a solid core or with layers of latex foam. Latex foam’s firmness is measured on an ILD scale from 14-44 (softest to firmest). Should a latex mattress have layers the core will usually be a higher ILD to support the top latex foam layer. A soft latex mattress is usually 14-20 ILD, whereas a firm latex mattress is 22-28 ILD. Anything higher than 30 ILD should only be used in the supporting base layer of a latex foam mattress.

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 Why use Latex Foam?

Latex foam offers numerous health and sleep benefits. The most notable is latex foam’s ability to conform to an individual’s body and aid in pressure relief. Studies have shown that quality latex and memory foam are comparable in joint and pressure relief. Latex foam offers even support from your head to your feet, relieving pressure build-up from the common problem areas of your hips, shoulders, and neck. This seamless sleeping experience allows latex foam to greatly reduce tossing and turning—allowing you to gain a better night’s rest. You can experience the benefits of latex foam yourself by viewing our latex foam mattress collection or by trying a latex foam mattress pad

The second best quality of Latex foam is its breathability. Unmatched against any sleep surface, latex foam offers the greatest airflow and temperature consistency within a mattress. You should buy open cell latex foam produced in either the Dunlop or Talalay processes. Open cell latex foam is odorless and prevents the build up of body heat and moisture.

Latex foam is also naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, dust mite resistant, and safer for those who suffer from asthma. Latex foam has been proven to treat symptoms of poor circulation, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia.

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 What's the Difference between Dunlop and
       Talalay Latex Foam?

The difference between Dunlop and Talalay latex foam is the process used to manufacture the latex foam. For all intensive purposes we’ve found the Talalay method to be superior to the Dunlop process in producing quality latex foam. The Talalay method is the more modern approach to producing latex beds. Liquid latex is whipped to mix with air and poured into a mold. The mold has rods that go through the foamed rubber (this creates the "pincore" holes). A vacuum is used, evenly distributing the latex throughout the mold. The latex is then flash frozen, locking in the consistency of the foam by putting CO2 through the rods. Finally, heat is sent slowly through the rods at an even temperature, producing consistent latex foam with no air pockets or disparity in firmness. Talalay latex is extremely durable, has uniform density throughout the mattress core, and is the best choice when looking for a latex bed. We only use Talalay latex in all of our mattresses and latex foam toppers.

The Dunlop process is cheaper and used by many foreign companies. While not a bad method, studies have shown Dunlop latex to have less consistency and it fails to retain its resiliency. In layman’s terms- this means the Dunlop latex will feel firmer in some parts of the mattress than others and is less durable. The Dunlop method is done in the exact same manner as the Talalay, except no vacuum or CO2 are used, and the latex foam is baked as soon as it is placed into the mold.

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 A Brief History of Latex Foam/ Common Myths and
       Problems Exposed!

The most common problem associated with buying latex is making sure there are no fillers added to the foam. Latex foam has been on the market for a long time, but has been flying under the radar to other sleep materials until very recently. Latex foam was most popular in bedding in the ‘60s and ‘70s because it was so readily available. Latex was being used heavily by American manufacturers and could be found in anything from car seats to raincoats. However, two things lead to the demise of sleeping on Latex in America:

1) the 1975 B.F. Goodrich Sponge Rubber Arson Fire (which effectively destroyed the largest producer of Latex products in the U.S. at the time).
2) Petro chemical polyurethane foam; a fancy way of saying plastic. Everything that had been made with Latex could now be made cheaper with plastics. However, Latex foam has experienced a rebound in America due to advances in technology and the benefits discovered. The Talalay Latex process, coupled with a naturally hypoallergenic, pressure-relieving material has brought Latex Foam back into the American bedroom; and it is here to stay.

Latex foam has gotten a bad rap in the bedding industry over the years due to some common misunderstandings. Many people avoid latex mattresses because they assume they’re allergic to them. The latex allergy they’re referring to is linked to medical latex products and the protein present in them. Latex foam mattresses will not have this protein present in it should be it be properly produced by the Dunlop or Talalay processes. Another common misconception is that Latex mattresses more easily catch fire. All of our latex mattresses pass Fire Resistant Code #1633 and are no more likely to catch fire than any other mattress material.

The most common problem associated with buying latex problems is making sure there are no fillers added to the foam. “Fillers” are small particles of clay or other materials that are mixed into the foam and allow for latex mattresses to be produced cheaper. “Pure latex” commonly refers to filler-free mattresses and when in doubt, buy from well-established American companies.

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 What do Eco-Friendly, Natural, and Organic
       Latex mean?

The three names refer to the different blends of latex foam present in latex mattresses. Our Eco-Friendly line of mattresses contains latex foam with a blend of 30% natural and 70% synthetic Talalay latex foam.

Natural latex can mean that 1) there is more natural latex foam present than synthetic latex foam or 2) the latex mattress is composed of 100% natural latex foam.

Organic Latex mattresses are not only composed of 100% natural latex, but all other materials present in the mattress are organic (glue, mattress cover, etc.).

Natural does not necessarily mean better. Blends of natural and synthetic latex allow for greater customization of the comfort level or “feel” of the latex mattress, and have been known to increase its durability. As long as you’re buying American, Talalay manufactured, high quality latex foam - it is really your preference if you’d like to completely “go green” or not.

See our collection of latex foam mattresses

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