Hey jonathanjone.
Welcome to our Mattress Forum. 
and welcome down the latex rabbit hole. Lots of us here have been down it and never looked back 
A few thoughts to help you out:
Durability/How does a latex bed hold up over time:
One of the big wins with natural latex is indeed ust how well it holds up over time. It’s incredibly durable…especially if you’re working with solid layers of quality latex and not a blend or synthetic version. Most folks report very little breakdown for years - sometimes up to 15 or 20 years!! If there is a shift, it’s usually very gradual and not the kind of quick breakdown you see with lower-density foams.
Feel/what does it actually feel like to sleep on latex?:
Latex has a unique feel, especially if you’re coming from memory foam. Instead of “melting” into the mattress, latex gives you more of a buoyant, supportive feel. It sort of pushes back gently rather than letting you sink in. That’s because the foam cells in latex don’t collapse with heat and pressure the same way memory foam does. It’s more “on” than “in,” and a lot of back and combo sleepers really like that.
Temperature Regulation/is it as good as people say?:
Yes…latex generally sleeps a lot cooler than memory foam. It’s naturally breathable, and many latex mattresses have pinholes or channels to encourage airflow. If you’re a hot sleeper, latex plus a breathable cover (like organic cotton and wool) can really help keep things comfortable. There’s more that goes into the microclimate of a mattress though, which is worth reading up on.
Dunlop vs. Talalay:
A common way to explain this is:
- Dunlop is like pound cake: dense, hearty, and a bit firmer overall.
- Talalay is like angel food cake: lighter, airier, and a bit more bouncy.
Neither is “better” as it really comes down to your personal preferences for feel and support. Some people like a firmer Dunlop base with a Talalay comfort layer on top to balance things out.
Weight of the mattress:
Yes, latex mattresses are heavy. A full solid latex bed can be a beast to move, especially in the larger sizes. It’s not impossible…just something to be aware of if you plan to rotate it or handle setup yourself. If the mattress comes vacuum packed it’s much easier to manage. Getting one with a zippered cover and separate layers can help a lot, since you can move the components individually.
NikkiTMU