I finally found a local retailer who sells all latex mattresses to get a feel for latex before building my own. Unfortunately for comparison sake, they only carried all-talalay mattresses so I wasn’t able to get a feel for a latex over pocket coil hybrid or talalay comfort layers over a dunlop core. Of the all-talalay mattresses I was able to test, one with a 6" firm talalay core, 3" medium talalay mid layer, with 4" soft talalay top layer felt the best. The others available were too firm and had the same core but one with a 2" mid layer and 2" topper, the other with only a 2" topper over the core.
For those with experience with various latex layers or latex hybrids, by replacing the 6" talalay core with 6" pocket coils or a 6" dunlop core, with everything else remaining the same, what difference would I possibly expect to feel? In theory, I would guess the pocket coils may give the mattress and overall springier feel and the dunlop possibly a less springy feel compared to the talalay core. Does that sound correct? Would the feel change up any other ways? Softer, firmer etc? Appreciate the help!
Hey GeauxTigers,
Thanks for your updates and for your question 
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Good job on your research and questions, GeauxTigers ! I’ve been enjoying your other post topic “Please help with my first DIY design” and see that you’ve gotten helpful feedback from Phoenix and @ebs (thanks too, Emily for sharing your research 
). It’s good that you have a local resource for making safe store visits. And while an all-talalay mattress is considered a luxurious sleeping experience, your DIY interest sounds more aligned with a latex hybrid/ pocket coil construction approach.
Pocket coils have roughly an equivalent degree of resilience or “pushback” to firmer foams and tend to be a bit springier than latex or polyfoam for those who like that feel. All types of innersprings can be made less or more firm through the use of thicker gauge wire, a greater number of coils, a larger number of “turns” in each coil, tempering, type of steel used, different construction methods, coil shape, coil height, and different Insulator Layers that are placed on top of them. Pocket coils are kept together through the use of fabric “pockets” which are joined together. These pocketed or hand-tied coils have more independent movement which gives Pocket coils their greater “shape conforming” ability. Pocket coils are the most effective at “body contouring” among the innerspring categories. In general, good quality Pocket coils have the greatest “response range” which means that they can be softer on initial compression and then firmer on deeper compression. They also have the advantage of providing greater “point elasticity” which is the ability to form itself around your body profile.
Your question reminds me of something a consumer referenced in a previous Phoenix post, a “pound cake vs. angel food cake” analogy while asking about Dunlop latex’s properties vs Talalay latex. The Dunlop latex process results in a more dense product (pound cake/ firmer feel), while the Talalay process yields a less dense, lighter foam (angel food cake/lighter, more “uplifting” feel). Either Dunlop or Talalay latex as a support core would provide excellent point elasticity and high durability, as well as unique support factor properties. A good quality pocket coil support core, such as the QE Bolsa coils you are considering, would provide a similar Talalay-like support and motion response to the mattress at a more affordable price point. It would also have a softer feel than the somewhat firmer Dunlop support core.
Have you had a chance to check in with any of the TMU trusted members as suggested by Phoenix in your previous post? Now that you have several all-Talalay mattresses’ comparisons for a point of reference, you are better equipped to describe the qualities you prefer for your DIY project and benefit from their vast experience with these type latex hybrid constructions. Good luck with your research, GeauxTigers and keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Sensei
Thank you for the reply Sensei! This site has been invaluable as well as its members! I’ve been able to slowly find the information I’ve needed but have had a hard time finding a comparison between the feel of pocket coils vs latex cores.
Based on my ongoing research and dialogue with other members I’m beginning to lean more towards a firm Dunlop core with a medium talalay transition layer, and soft Talalay comfort layer. My theory is by doing so I may tone down a little of the bounciness compared to a Talalay or Pocket coil core. However by maintaining Talalay in my comfort layers I’ll still get the softness I’m looking for with a slight spring. The all Talalay beds I tried had a little too much bounciness for me.
Does this seem correct to you? Would going with a Dunlop core cut down some of the bounciness without taking away from the plushness?
In answer to your question regarding speaking with one of the trusted members, I reached out to Ken and he is a huge help! I will be following up with him again after I’ve had an opportunity for my girlfriend to try out the all latex mattresses as well
Hey GeauxTigers,
Thanks for your updates and your kind words on the forum .
[quote]I’ve been able to slowly find the information I’ve needed but have had a hard time finding a comparison between the feel of pocket coils vs latex cores.
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Comparing the feel of pocket coils vs latex cores is an interesting topic, GT. A quality pocket coil support core minimizes motion transfer by its coil count/ unique design. The individually fabric-wrapped coils are attached in a “head to toe” manner and work together from the top/ upper area of the mattress to the bottom area, supporting body weight from above and below and thus keeping motion separation to a minimum. Dunlop latex, a much heavier and more dense rubber core, provides a more solid feeling of support with a high degree of motion separation.
In theory, this setup should check off all of your boxes: a firm Dunlop support core would provide the motion separation qualities you seek while offering good support, paired with Talalay latex comfort layers for adding softness while giving an “uplifting” feeling of sleeping “on” rather than sinking “into” the mattress. Also, both Dunlop and Talalay latex are the most breathable of all foams, providing natural temperature regulation for “sleeping cool”, as you prefer.
[quote]In answer to your question regarding speaking with one of the trusted members, I reached out to Ken and he is a huge help! I will be following up with him again after I’ve had an opportunity for my girlfriend to try out the all latex mattresses as well
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Happy to hear that you’re working with @KenHightower, expert trusted member Arizona Premium Mattress, with his deep knowledge of latex components and extensive experience in mattress design, he will be most helpful for guiding you along the next steps of your DIY journey. Good luck GeauxTigers and share your updates when you have time .
Thanks,
Sensei