Latex Foam Mattress
Once again, it is a personal preference. Latex offers a unique ability to conform to your body alleviating areas of high pressure that can cause you to toss and turn at night. Latex is also hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, dust-mite resistant and breathable. Because it breathes to remove body moisture, it can keep you warmer in the winter, and cooler in the summer, which appeals to some people.
Types of Latex
Talalay latex: is the process by which latex is made. It can be either natural, synthetic or a blend of the two. The difference is that natural latex has a lot of impurities in it which is only natural, so it breaks down much sooner than the mix.
UniLatex: It is made from the same formulation of natural latex and usually as synthetic as Talalay.
Cost of Latex
Latex is expensive because it is pure latex rubber, and it is one of the best latex foam bedding available. It is a premium blend of natural and synthetic but very unlike polyurethane, which is a plastic and much cheaper and lighter than latex foam. Because this product lasts a lifetime, it's usually not more expensive in the long run and can be cheaper.
Synthetic vs. Natural latex and allergies
"Synthetic latex" simply means latex synthesized in a laboratory. "Natural latex" means latex that was actually obtained from a rubber tree. They are the same chemical compound. It would be very surprising if anyone who was not allergic to natural latex were allergic to synthetic latex since they are the same chemical molecule. The reason some companies combine the two is so that their product can offer optimal performance. Latex foam mattresses are right for some but not for others - you be the judge!
If you are looking for "anything foam" you may also want to check out our section on memory foam mattress.