Is Dunlop better here? Would a talalay contour pillow be too soft to be supportive for someone who needs a fair amount of support? I do see both available. My concern is also that Dunlop would just be too firm.
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When comparing Dunlop and Talalay latex pillows, it’s important to acknowledge two main schools of thought. The first is that if both processes are done to the highest standards—assuming the same ILD (Indentation Load Deflection)—the two types of latex can feel very similar. For some people, it’s actually quite hard to distinguish between them, even if the pillows are made with different manufacturing processes.
That being said, many people still associate Dunlop latex with being firmer and more supportive due to its denser feel. This perception often works well for back or stomach sleepers who need that extra level of support.
On the flip side, Talalay latex is often described as having a softer, more buoyant feel, providing a plush yet supportive experience. However, this “softer” feel doesn’t mean it lacks structure or support—it just has a gentler, more cushioned feel, which is ideal for side and back sleepers looking for a little more give.
However, if both Dunlop and Talalay pillows are made with the exact same ILD and weight, and produced to the highest standards, many people find that the difference in feel is minimal or nearly indistinguishable.
For example, I personally have a couple of high-quality Talalay and Dunlop pillows, both said to have a firm density. While I did not measure either set, and I took the manufacturers word for it, I can tell a slight difference in feel. But my wife, who uses both pillows on her side of the bed (one as a headrest pillow and the other as a body pillow), can’t tell the difference between them and sleeps just fine on either one.
The key takeaway is that the differences between Dunlop and Talalay often come down to the quality of the manufacturing process, the ILD, and the individual’s preferences. If both pillows are made to the same specifications, especially with the same ILD and weight, the support and feel will be very similar for many people.
To figure out which pillow works best for you, one of the most practical things to consider is the weight of the pillow—heavier pillows tend to offer more support. Also, think about how firm or soft your current pillow feels to help guide you in choosing what might work for you.
Hope this helps,
Maverick
Thank you. Would this general advice be applicable to a CONTOUR pillow, which I was specifically asking about? It seemed there, due to the shape and purpose, the considerations might be different, but maybe not.
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When discussing pillows, it’s important to differentiate between contour and cervical pillows, as they are often mixed up.
Contour pillows are designed to follow the natural curve of the head, neck, and shoulders, providing a balance of comfort and support. They are particularly ideal for side sleepers. These pillows typically have raised edges and a dip in the middle, which helps reduce neck pain and stiffness. Contour pillows are most often made from memory foam, which molds to the shape of your head and neck.
Cervical pillows, on the other hand, are designed to provide firmer, more structured support, and are generally recommended for those with more severe neck pain. Their main purpose is to correct the resting position of the head and neck, ensuring proper cervical spine alignment. Cervical pillows can be made from a variety of materials, including latex and orthopedic foam.
With that distinction in mind, the general advice about pillow support still applies to contour pillows, but it’s worth noting that a contour pillow has a unique shape. The various fills can respond differently, and a contour pillow often requires more structure to support the head and neck properly.
Most of the fully contoured pillows you see are made of VE (viscoelastic) memory foam or polyfoam, with ve memoryfoam being the more common option. VE Memoryfoam tends to be more molding and cradless your head and neck in place fairly securely. Whereas cervical are stiffer and more structured, to keep the head and neck securely in place. Contour pillows
However, that all changed two weeks ago when I got fitted for the Oxygen-Pillow. It’s primarily designed for side and back sleepers, and it’s the first pillow I’ve experienced that truly excels in that niche,acting more like a contour pillow, than it appears to the eye. I also have a CozyPure Baa-Noodle and Noodle pillow, and they are incredibly comfortable.
The unique design of the Oxygen-Pillow, when used properly, is extremely comfortable.
When it comes to most contour or cervical pillows, people generally prefer a firmer feel, like placing your head and neck in a mold.
VE memory foam molds to the head because of its viscoelastic properties. It’s soft without much bounce or pushback, but as it heats up, your head sinks into it, and the pillow molds around your head. Non-VE polyfoam is pre-molded and provides a stiff, supportive feel right from the start. Latex, whether Talalay or Dunlop, is firmer than VE memory foam but has a bouncy quality and pushes back. However, pillows like the ones mentioned, such as the latex noodle fill and the design of the Oxygen-Pillow, have less of that pushback response.
Here is a comparison of the 4 primary pillow materials used and their place in the contour vs cervical use. Naturally, there are other materials, wool, down, and other non traditional materials like buckwheat hulls. Sorry if the grid sucks, it’s note easy to create in this forum.
| Material | Contour Pillows | Cervical Pillows |
|---|---|---|
| Viscoelastic Memory Foam | Most Used | Moderately Used |
| Polyfoam | Most Used | Less Common |
| Talalay Latex | Less Common | Most Used |
| Dunlop Latex | Least Common | Less Common |
So, the short answer to your question, is generally speaking my advice on pillows is applicable, but for a CONTOUR pillow, material does play more of a role than with traditional shaped and use pillows.
Hopefully,
This is a bit more clear than my previous response.
Maverick
Thank you. What’s confusing me though is that there seem to be all sorts of true contour pillows on the market, both dunlop and talalay. They don’t seem uncommon at all. Not sure if it’s proper to list brands here but just a basic google search yields numerous such pillows from the usual places?
Sure you can list brands. It is not that latex is not used in contour pillows, Memory and polyfoam are used considerably more.
Maverick,
I went on the O2 pillow website and it says it is for side sleeping and looks quite bulky. Can O2 pillow also be used for back sleeping?
John
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Yes, it looks very lofty, but when your rest your head on it, it all levels out and aligns. Back and side sleeping.