Latex--now I have no idea!

Hi yoshi,

This depends on whether you are talking about Talalay or Dunlop. You can read much more about natural vs synthetic latex and blends in post #2 here and post #2 here as well as more about all the different types and blends of latex (including organic) in post #6 here as well as post #6 here.

It could be his sources as yoshi mentioned or it could just be based on his personal preferences or beliefs.

My reply to #1 links to the information about both of these but it depends on how you define superior. In terms of feel or performance then no it wouldn’t be. If an organic certified material was particularly important to someone based on their beliefs or principles or just because they felt better or more reassured buying it then by this definition it would be “superior” yes because of the certification. It would be similar to buying food from a local farm that wasn’t certified organic but used natural farming methods compared to buying food that was actually certified and cost more but may be no better or different.

The main pros would be less latex and lower cost (possibly offset by using a box spring instead of a rigid foundation and possibly finishing the mattress on both sides) and no softer latex comfort layers on top (softer is less durable than firmer in any material) and possibly having a two sided mattress which is also a more durable design than a one sided design. The main cons would be having less “room” to design and layer the mattress to customize it to particular individuals in terms of the balance between pressure relief and support/alignment and possibly a mattress that was a little less “adaptable” to different weights, shapes, and sleeping positions than a thicker mattress (see post #14 here about thicker layers and mattresses).

Keep in mind that the “end result” which is what I call PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences) and your own personal value equation based on how the mattress actually feels and performs for you is always more important in “real life” than any theory or any of the many conflicting opinions or ideas that you will come across about almost anything concerning mattresses.

Asking some why they believe what they do or do what they do can also be revealing to see if it’s just an idea that they’ve never questioned or is based on real information or experience :slight_smile:

Hope this helps.

Phoenix