Mattress Forum

But about that frame... Latex is limp and very heavy. It needs to be properly supported with a solid foundation or with slats that are no more than 3" apart. Bigger gaps will allow the latex to sag through the spaces. Bad for the mattress and bad for your back.

I would recommend trying out a latex mattress if you can so you  have some idea of what it feels like and which ILD suits you best. If you are ordering online, you  might want to go with two cores rather than one. That way you can get one a bit firmer and the other a bit softer. It gives you more latitude to play with your comfort level. The mattress I had was probably 26-28 ILD. It felt soft but was still supportive. A 26-28 core of Talalay would just feel soft and not at all supportive.  When you get right down to it comfort is a very subjective thing.

(i was kind of hoping for some more responses and opinions, but is this because people didn't have anything to add to what you said?)

i was originally leaning towards getting one 6" core (would've been a little cheaper), but after reading what you had to say, i think i'll probably go ahead and order two 3" pieces because this seems wiser.  (the ones i'm looking at are actually sold as 3" mattress toppers, but if i combine them, they shouldn't be any different than a regular 6" mattress core, right?)  either way, i was thinking dunlop all the way.  from everything i've read on this forum, i get the feeling that talalay just won't provide enough support.  i worry that i'd be able to feel the futon frame slats through talalay depending on the pressure i'm exerting.  or if i went thicker than 6", that it might get difficult in folding/unfolding the futon.

even though cloud9 you were the only person to respond so far, i feel fortunate that at least the only reply (yours) was a very informative and helpful one!  your advice is helping me and giving me confidence in trying to make my decision.  so thanks again!  =)

if anyone else has any other thoughts or advice though, i'd still love to hear it.  even if all you have to say is that you agree with what cloud9 said, hearing more of the same advice would be assuring.  come on you latex pros, this newbie wants to draw from your vast latex knowledge and experiences!  hit me with it!

I would always recommend at least two latex cores with the bottom latex core being much firmer than the top to make sure you have good support.  I tried a Dunlap Latex topper and found it too hard to be a topper and too soft for support so I sent it back and now I have a Talalay topper over my three latex cores from FloBeds.  I have heard that Dunlap latex cores make a good firm base and I feel it is always better to err on the side of too firm since you could always add a softer thin topper for cushion.  Since you like soft mattresses that are also supportive, maybe have the bottom core a higher ILD than the top core and see if that is comfortable for you.

I would go to stores and lie on the latex beds and ask what the firmness and ILD's are as you read for at least 15 to 30 minutes in each bed. When you think you know which firmness you like, then I would go back to that bed and lie on it like you are taking a nap for no less than 15 minutes and preferrably for at least 30 minutes to decide it it is starting to feel too hard or too soft.

Always make sure the frame you are using is a firm supportive frame with not too much room between the slats but some room for the latex cores to breath.

Sorry it took me so long to reply but I am in the middle of crunch time with less than 2 weeks of tax season to go.  I try to read posts as I am eating meals at my desk or checking emails int between clients. I try my best to help others like they have helped me but sometimes I am busier than other times.

thank you very much for both of your input!  i didn't think there were going to be any more responses, so seeing your replies was a nice surprise!  =) 

after reflecting on all the words of advice i've received so far, i definitely think i'm going with the layering.  and i think the plan right now is to shoot for a firmer 4" dunlop core with a softer 2" talalay topper.  (this sounds ok, right?)

i don't know where i'm going to buy from yet, but i have to say that this mattress search process has been very draining and tiring (as i'm sure many others here can attest to).  i am looking forward to the day i get to actually sleep on the mattress... 

anyway, thanks again you two!

As you can see there are two latex camps here--those who prefer Talalay, like Lynn, and those who prefer Dunlop like me. It's all subjective. I think good quality Talalay is a very consistent material and it's certainly "prettier." But it has certain quirks and characteristics I found impossible to sleep on. On the other hand, having slept on Dunlop for many years, I know for a fact that it provides very good support at soft ILDs, something that can't be said for Talalay.

Which latex will suit you best? Well, if you like a springy extremely resilient foam that pushes back against your body you will probably prefer Talalay. Dunlop is more passive and probably takes less getting used to. It's more like lying on a very comfy couch.

Kim wondered how latex would take to folding up on a daily basis. Actually it should do quite well. Latex mattresses are recommended for use with those adjustable beds so it should be fine on a futon frame. But keep it inside of a cover. Latex is fragile in an unprotected state. Talalay, perhaps more so than Dunlop because of all the air whipped into the latex. Dunlop is denser and a little more sturdy. You want to keep it protected from UV light. Latex is biodegradable. Protected it will last a good 20 years or more. Unprotected, as little as 3.

So yeah, I'm biased, but I think that since you are basically sleeping on a futon, not an actual bed, Dunlop is still the right way to go. You will need less of it to build a comfortable mattress. Talalay really requires three 3" cores and possibly a thinner topper to get it right. With Dunlop you could do it with a mere 6 inches--something to consider when you are folding it into a couch every day. Latex is heavy! Since you like a soft bed, go with a soft and a medium core. You can always add a 1" soft Talalay topper, but I really don't think you'll need to.

Good luck, and let us know what you ended up with--where you bought your foam and how you like it.