Right now I have a 5 inch HR 50 Polyurethane foam mattress (With the addition of my quilted mattress pad, 6 inches total) That is about 15 years old, and I am having increasing difficulty with stiffness and soreness in the mornings. If I find a sweet spot where my mattress still retains good firmness I do pretty well. Obviously, It’s time to retire this mattress, and I want to have the same thickness, so after researching, I am assuming that Dunlop in an extra firm would be the closest to what I’ve had? (I’m thinking latex would be healthier) I was considering purchasing a 3 inch dunlop in extra firm (Something about 45-48 ILD) and then I can asses it’s feel, and order another 2 inch in either the same or less firmness to go with it. Does this sound like a good plan of attack? I’m open to other suggestions if anyone has any. My current bed is on a plywood platform, I find as much firmness as I can tolerate tends to reduce my pain the most. I had latex mattresses as a child, and remember that I liked them well (Came from the Montgomery Ward Catalog in 1972)) So latex I figure would be long lasting for my money, and hope it will have the firmness I need. Is the ILD more or less consistent across all vendors? I looked at the Sleeponlatex website, and they describe their toppers as a cross between Dunlop and talalay, which confused me even further. I would appreciate suggestions on online places to buy, as well. (I’ve been leaning towards Sleeping organic)
[quote]Here are my stats:
5’ 11" 230 pounds
Side sleeper[/quote]
Thanks for sharing your personal stats, alphanguy. You’ll find that these combined with your previous mattress use history will go far in helping you decide which materials and constructions are better suited for your personal preferences.
15 years is a solid life span for an HR polyfoam mattress. Sorry to learn of your increasing difficulty with stiffness and soreness in the mornings and indeed, it does seem time to retire this one after serving you so well over the years. Comparing the comfort and support feel of HR foam to Dunlop latex is difficult and more of an “apples to oranges” approach. Dunlop latex is well-known for its denser, more firmer feel and how you would perceive whether it would match that of your HR polyfoamis best judged by your personally testing a Dunlop mattress. Do you have any COVID safe showrooms located nearby for making product comparisons?
Dunlop latex should be a healthier choice than a polyfoam; however, polyfoams carrying the CertiPUR-US certification have been tested for harmful substances and VOC’s and should be regarded as safe. A 45-48 ILD is quite firm and should easily satisfy your preference for an extra firm feel. As you have enjoyed a latex mattress in the past, you at least have some point of reference for relating its feel to your current mattress. As to whether it provides the firmness that you need, you will better know once you test one.
(image courtesy of Talalay Global’s web site)
ILD/ Indentation Load Deflection is a measurement of a foam’s density. ILDs are generally fairly consistent from one supplier to another, as the machine measuring the foam’s firmness would be calibrated to measure the density the same way. The difference is how each manufacturer classifies the firmness “feel”. For example, one company may refer to a Plush firmness as 19-24 ILD, while a European company may consider Plush to be 21-25 ILD. The ILD measurement is the same; however, the difference is how the ILD is classified by each manufacturer. You probably wouldn’t find Dunlop latex in a 19 ILD firmness as it doesn’t go that soft; a comparable rating for it would be 21-25 ILD.
From Sleep On Latex’s site, the passage you reference states:
“Using an enhanced version of the Dunlop Process, Earthfoam natural latex foam combines the best elements of Dunlop and Talalay latex foam. It has a more lively and consistent feel than other dunlop latex foam without the “bouncy” feel of Talalay Foam. We believe that this produces a product that works better for more people.”
SOL is describing a proprietary latex formulation of both Dunlop and Talalay elements that they use to differentiate their latex, supporting their Pure Green® latex mattress toppers and “Earthfoam” natural latex story. If you have further questions for either Sleep On Latex or Sleeping Organic, you are welcome to post them on the forum. Hope this helps some and looking forward to hearing more on how your mattress shopping goes .
I’ve had 3 nights so far… still trying things out. I actually laid the latex on TOP of my old polyfoam mattress, and the firmness does feel even across the whole thing now. However… it is a different feel. The latex is not as firm as the polyfoam, and more bouncy. I’ll keep trying for a while longer, and try different things, I LIKE to way it feels, and it feels comfortable to me, but for my back issues, it appears I might need something firmer than what latex can offer. Still not certain, I might get a 2 inch new HR-50 ployfoam topper and put it on TOP of the latex, who knows, I did so much research ahead of time, and with COVID it’s just impossible to do anything but shoot in the dark.
This bit is interesting and not what I have found to be true currently, 6-7 years ago, yes.
“You probably wouldn’t find Dunlop latex in a 19 ILD firmness as it doesn’t go that soft; a comparable rating for it would be 21-25 ILD.”
I have been exclusively selling Dunlop processed latex and recently (for the last 3 years) selling a GOTS latex in 16-18 ILD and I know that I can get the natural latex in 14-16 ILD, still Dunlop processed.
Isn’t it interesting how latex is bouncy? It’s a perfect description once you have the physical feel to connect with the word, but just reading the word alone without any first hand experience doesn’t do it justice. Spongy is a little more easily understood. I haven’t quite hit on a one word description to describe how it compresses effortlessly underneath each pressure point that lends more weight or shape.
What I purchased was an extra firm 3 inch topper, it gave an ILD of 45, it definitely gives more under my weight than the 50 ILD polyfoam does. The polyfoam just plain feels firmer. Maybe it’s just the difference between a 45 ILD and a 50 ILD is that noticeable?
I should have addressed that post to Sensei, sorry for the confusion.
If you search the forum here for “point elasticity”, you will find plenty of posts that say the same thing you are noticing: When you compare latex and polyfoam in the same ILD’s, the latex will always feel softer because of its point elasticity. Point elasticity being the ability of latex to compress in a particular point as opposed to the entire surface of the foam bending due to the surface tension. I suppose a two word definition of latex’s flexibility under pressure points will have to suffice. Phew! That’s a lot of typing “point elasticity”. lol
! Thanks for your question.
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