From what I’ve read, the blended Talalay uses some (unknown to me) quantity of synthetic latex to provide greater durability than the natural latex. This blended Talalay is the one that’s been on the market for decades and has been subjected to extensive testing for safety and toxicity – so I feel pretty confident that whatever is actually in the synthetic stuff, there seems to be very little effective difference between this and the natural Talalay – other than a significant price break for the more durable, blended product. Putting this another way, I asked Ken Hightower (from mattresses.net) what HE sleeps on, and he told me it was the blended Talalay. I fit’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me. B)
As for the Dunlop – you have to consider what you’re after. Dunlop provides what has been described as a denser, firmer product, which is good if that’s what you’re after. I considered it until finding that my needs were more toward the softer range. Accordingly, I ordered a soft topper over a medium core, so as to avoid too detectable a pressure gradient between the two. Dunlop also tends to be less uniform than Talalay, due to the different processes used in their respective production. Unlike with the Talalay, the consensus on natural vs synthetic Dunlop is that the synthetic blends are actually inferior to the natural.
I see. I thought I read somewhere that all natural Dunlop latex core would be more long lasting than Talalay latex.
I just came back from a Savvy Rest store testing the layer combinations and was told that a 3" layer of Talalay is $300 more than that of Dunlop. All the combinations involved only top layer using Talalay latex, maybe for the cost reason.
I also tested Natura Eco Rest floor model that feels very much like a simple futon mattress with enough support but more pressures in the hip and shoulder area. When added a 2" LatexBliss topper, it feels quite nice. But I am still not sure that would be the best option for spending $1300 on a queen set up. I see that from Arizona Premier company you can get 6 layers (his/hers sides) to play with for most custom fit at about the same price.
Well to be honest, I never really considered how “sick” it is to be a criteria. :lol:
From everyone I’ve discussed latex beds with, no one ever suggested that ~9" of latex wouldn’t be thick enough – but I guess we’ll see. I did make sure to get a 3" comfort layer, mainly because I’m a fairly big guy and a side sleeper as well. I’ve only just ordered mine, and don’t expect to see it for a good 4-5 weeks. I will most certainly report back once I can form a fair opinion of it.
Sorry I mixed up product info - I see what S0L0 ordered is not two sides adjustable kind and maybe only two layers - core and top, that would be similar to if I buy the 6" Eco Rest and add a soft topper.
There are two manufacturers of blended Talalay latex. Latex international has a 30/70 (NR/SBR) blend and Radium also has a 30/70 (NR/SBR) blend.
@ hubbs,
For the vast majority of people … 8" to 9" of latex would be all they need. In some cases people who are in the high 200’s or more or wh have other reasons may choose slightly thicker (say 12"). There’s more about the thickness of latex mattresses in post #14 here.
They use 100% natural Talalay in their Talalay layers which is more expensive than 100% natural Dunlop. Their pricing is also very costly. As a rough comparison … “organic” Dunlop would be the rough equivalent of 100% natural Talalay (there is a premium attached to the “organic” certification), 100 % natural Dunlop would be the rough equivalent of blended talalay and then blended Dunlop would be in the bottom pricing rung.
Natura is typically much more costly than many other local or online manufacturers as well but for a 6" latex mattress the floor model is at least reasonable (for 6" of natural Dunlop latex and a fairly thick layer of wool). The PLB topper is also much more costly than many other topper sources as well (see post #4 here) and is also on the soft side (14 - 15 ILD) for what most people would do best with (or that would be the most durable because even latex in much softer versions won’t be as durable as higher ILD’s). A 6" single core Dunlop mattress would typically be too firm for most people. I know when I tested the Eco Rest the lack of comfort layer made it very uncomfortable. The Natura Eco Haven with a separate 2" layer on top was much better for me but the comfort layer still wasn’t thick/soft enough for our preferences although others may think it’s perfect. I would have chosen either a softer core or a thicker comfort layer to improve pressure relief but of course that’s only my preferences (or more accurately our preferences because my DH thought the same thing).