Latex Mattress Purchase Help

[phoenix]

Hi BrianSxx,

The issues of durability have been the subject of many hundreds of hours of both research and conversations with manufacturers and specialists (including materials engineers that specialize in latex) and there is no consensus as to which type of latex is more durable between them. In practical terms … comparing the many factors involved in durability can be a matter of diminishing returns since both of them have advantages in certain conditions or with certain types of use.

I chose a 2 layer contruction (unglued) because I am cheap, and I know that the 3 inch comfort layer will not last as long as the 6 inch support layer, so 15 years from now when the support layer is no longer doing the job, I only have to buy a new 3 inch topper at 25% of the cost of a full mattress!

It’s the comfort layer (on top) that will most likely “no longer be doing it’s job” not the support layer(s) so we would be in complete agreement if this is what you mean. The deeper and firmer support layers (whether they are a single 6" layer or two 3" layers) will generally last longer than a softer comfort layer and in either case you could replace the top layer of the mattress without replacing the deeper support layers.

• What I meant here was specifically the softer top layer of talalay would wear out sooner than the denser layer underneath. This comment was inregard to the common practice of gluing all layers together, which if done means you replace the entire mattress when the weekest link wears out. So it is my recommendation to get at least the top layer unglued, as this will certainly wear out sooner than anything underneath it.

Yes … this would be the norm and I completely agree with you about the benefits of unglued layers in a mattress that has a zip cover that gives you access to the layers inside it (see post #2 here).

• The durability of Dunlop vs Talalay is indeed highly debated. (FYI- I am a materials engineer). As the production processes used are not perfect, any two pieces of even the same material with same ILD will not have the exact same life. My consideration in this is what is at the root cause of the naterial break down. Rubber can deteriate from environmental influences such as sunlight, contact with chemicals (including those in a persons sweat), etc. I can have a significant amount of control on those factors, so I did not consider them in my evaluation.

I agree that this is highly debated and most of the “debate” that is easier to access on internet searches is fairly misleading or in many cases “biased” or sometimes completely inaccurate. There is a good list of substances and influences that can affect latex here but as you mentioned ozone and ultraviolet light are the two main culprits since most other substances wouldn’t reach the latex with a good cover and/or a mattress protector.

I specificaly focused on the break down due to repeated compression and recovery. The primary cause of break down for this is the amount of air in the product. The more air, the more opportunity for collapse of the air “pockets”, and ultimate break down of the material properties. Talalay in similar ILD ranges to Dunlop has more air, therfore I believe Dunlop should be reasonably expected to be more durable.

This isn’t quite correct because the cell structure will also play an important role in durability along with ILD differences (lower ILD’s are less dense) and to a lesser degree individual differences in the formulations and manufacturing methods between different manufacturers. The cell struts in Talalay are generally thicker and stronger than with Dunlop even though the overall density is lower. In practical terms … both materials (blended Talalay and 100% natural Dunlop) have a long history of lasting for decades (in firmer versions) so in “real life” terms it’s probably more accurate and practical to treat them as equals rather than getting bogged down in the many more technical variables that may make a more minor difference on one side or the other. 100% natural Talalay doesn’t have as long a history of use so the jury is still out on whether it will last as long as Dunlop or blended Talalay although my own thoughts are that lower ILD’s will be tend to be less durable while higher ILD’s (probably in the mid/high 20’s or so and higher) will likely be comparable with 100% natural Dunlop and blended Talalay of the same ILD. If you talk with Radium they will also tell you that their testing indicates that their 100% natural Talalay will be close to identical with their blended Talalay even in lower ILD’s because they use a different curing paste.

I should also note that I am only considering 100 % Natural Talalay in this, as I want a green product so am not interested in a blended Talalay that is 60 or 70 % synthetic. I think it is also important to note that my evaluation of durability is likely more academic than practical. It is likely that either product used as a base layer will last a VERY long time

I agree with you that trying to compare them can be mostly academic and in most cases is more misleading than helpful because of all the different factors involved which is why I go out of my way to portray them as “equals” so that the durability of either type of latex isn’t an issue in people’s choice and their choice is more about the differences in characteristics and personal preferences between them. Durability comparisons between the two materials (outside of lower ILD’s for 100% natural Talalay) are more of a “red herring” than anything else IMO. I see far too many people or businesses trying to portray one as being “better” or “more durable” than the other when the evidence taken “as a whole” doesn’t really support either side and they are more “different” than better or worse in any meaningful way. As you mentioned … I think that the most accurate portrayal is that both will last for a VERY long time in a mattress that is a suitable choice in terms of PPP and firmness levels (and not as long if the choice of a latex mattress is less suitable and where even the relatively minor amount of softening that will still happen can put someone outside of the range of softness/firmness that is suitable for them).

I appreciate your comments and it’s always good to have a different perspectives

I don’t think that the ongoing discussions surrounding the topic will ever likely end so my main goal on this site is to provide more practical and “real life” information that helps to minimize durability considerations as a meaningful basis for comparison between them which I believe is the most “accurate” approach in any practical terms.

Phoenix