Latex blend topper decision

[phoenix]

Hi dadibones,

Now I have found myself in a quandary…I have found two sources for a blended latex 3"topper but I am unfamiliar with the differences between the two options. One says it is a talalay process topper with 30% NR and 70% “domestic” latex. The other says it is dunlop process that is a 50/50 blend. The prices are very similar but they sound like two different toppers. Am I right or should I not get so excited since I am being cheap anyway?

These are both good quality materials (almost all latex is generally good quality regardless of the type or blend) but the blended Dunlop would (or should be) be a lower cost than the blended Talalay. You can read a little more about the different types of latex in post #6 here (which I just revised a bit to include more information about some of the newer continuous pour Dunlop latex materials).

You can also read a little more about the difference between blended Talalay and 100% natural Talalay in post #2 here (the blended is generally more durable in lower ILD’s).

There is also more about the differences in how they feel in post #7 here but your own experiences and testing on each would be a much more reliable indicator about which you prefer.

The only reason I bring up the idea of one being ‘better’ than another is I thought I read an earlier thread where Phx. suggested he would avoid any blended latex less that 50/50. I was curious why he might state this and what I should be looking out for in the 30/70 blended latex.

The suggestion to avoid latex that has less than 50% natural content was more specific to molded Dunlop … not Talalay. The reason for this is that the higher natural latex content with molded Dunlop is a better performing material because natural rubber is more elastic and has more of the desirable qualities of natural rubber than the synthetic. Talalay has a different cell structure which contributes to both its durability as well as its feel, and performance relative to Dunlop. For the very lowest budget ranges though even synthetic latex (or mostly synthetic) … especially continuous pour … is still a high quality product relative to other types of foam.

In the end it’s really a matter of preference and the balance between budget, the specific performance and feel of each type of latex, and on how a particular layer contributes to and interacts with your specific layer combination.

Phoenix