|
I weight over 300 lbs and I am 6' 1", my wife weighs around 220 lbs and is 5' 3". If we choose a latex mattress where the layers on the first side are Xfirm/firm/medium and the second side Firm/medium/soft in Dunlop and compare it to a mattress configured the same firmness layers in Talalay would one be more likely to take a permanent impression then the other in a given time frame? The assumption is that the Talalay and Dunlop are both from a quality source and neither are of suspect origin.
I am asking this as I am getting radically different answers from on-line vendors some of who's products have consistently good reviews on this forum; leading me to believer they are not flakes or fly-by-night operations. Specifically it was noted that in this configuration my wifes side, based on the soft upper layers, would take an impression in as little as 3 to 4 years if we went with Talalay whereas the Dunlop would not.
So I would appreciate feedback from anyone that has owned for at least several years a Dunlop or Talalay mattresses in a softer firmness layer and is a larger person.
Appreciate any advise anyone can offer. |
|
While I don't have the specific experience you may be looking for, I have talked with many who have and would know and done a fair bit of research into the different qualities of rubber that can be used in both manufacturing methods. Most of the comparative information between Dunlop and Talalay (assuming again both are high quality) including from some vendors is very misleading. They are both very high quality materials that should last a long time even with weight issues. The only possible exception to this (and I stress possible) is with all natural Talalay in very soft ILD's. Dunlop is a denser, heavier material than Talalay which is why some people (I believe falsely) believe that it may last longer. They are also often but not always selling Dunlop. Talalay is a more consistent material and made with a more "high tech" process which is why some people (I believe falsely) believe that it may last longer. They are also often but not always selling Talalay. While it may be true that one will last longer than another if a specific person was to use it, the next person may very well find for their specific use that it was the other way around. They do have different qualities that can make a real difference in which you choose to use in your mattress but also be aware that one manufacturer's version of Talalay may also be different from another manufacturers version of Talalay. Most of these though (but by no means all) made in North America at least come from Latex international so the only real difference is in whether it is their all natural Talalay or their blended Talalay. Their all natural is a litle more "springy" than their blend because the NR rubber used is more springy and has better overall qualities than SBR. I would also "trust" the blended Talalay made by Radium (Vita) as they are to Europe as LI is to North America. I have some doubts about Dunlopillo Talalay as it is currently being made as I have suspicions (see another thread about IKEA) that it could now be poured and manufactured in China. Dunlop produced all natural latex on the other hand (I wouldn't consider a blended Dunlop as a good option) has many more manufacturers available in mattresses and there can be a real difference in the feel and qualities of each different manufacturer. While it is true that they are all denser than Talalay, they do not all have the same response characteristics as others. There are quite a few differences between brands and the source of rubber they use, how long it remains in it's latex form before it is poured, and how they harvest, purify, preserve, and manufacture their Dunlop. Brand and source does make a bigger difference in Dunlop than in Talalay. I would personally make my choices based on how they feel in "field testing" as I believe that they will both last a very very long time ... but not forever. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by Phoenix
|
|
One of the vendors touting the advantages of 100% Natural Dunlop over blended Talalay for heavier people is Sleep Ez. Based on what you are saying, I need to ask him which of the sources he gets his Dunlop from and if it is truly 100% and not blended. It appears he is using 100% Dunlop sourced from Latex Green Aprico; using Sri Lanka raw materials. A quick search of the internet seems to show the importer as Richard Pieris Natural Foams Limited. The interesting part of the conversation is that he also sells blended Talalay from LI (Talatech) and 100% Dunlop for the same price. The 100% natural Talalay he sells costs around 25% more. So there does not seem to be a profit or supply based motive here as he could sell me either of the aforementioned for the same price and he also steered me away from the most expensive item he had. |
|
Latex Green is one of the better and highest quality Dunlops IMO and I would have no problem using it if I liked it's feel. One of the reasons that it is often recommended for heavier people is because of it's density and it's firmer feel ... especially as a core layer. I believe that firmer Talalay is just as suitable as firmer Dunlop (the Dunlop in the same ILD may feel firmer and it has a softer and firmer side because of how it's made) as a core layer but that they can produce a very different feel. Personal experience and your own field testing so you know the differences in feel from a personal perspective will probably do more to help you decide than any research by itself. Natura for example ... as well as others that are widely available make mattresses in both Talalay and Dunlop and laying on a few makes a big difference. I've probably done as much research as most people but I can honestly tell you that without the context of actually laying on mattresses and knowing what it was I was laying on I would almost certainly have "got it wrong" when I bought my own. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by Phoenix
|
|
I will add one more thing that field testing may help you validate for your own circumstances. While it seems logical that a gradually progressive layering scheme of 3" layers may be the "best", there may be circumstances where a much softer 3" top layer on top of a firmer middle and bottom (say soft/medium, X firm, X firm) with another inch of soft on top may be much more suitable even for a much heavier person. "standardized" layer thicknesses are usually good enough to get very close to an optimal mattress which is why they and 2" are so common, but they may not offer the flexibility that is needed for everyone to adjust the feel (comfort/support) of a mattress in more "challenging" circumstances. In this case then adjustments afterwards through comfort exchanges becomes much more difficult. Weight by itself is also not a reliable indicator of what construction may be best for you as sleeping habits and especially your own sensitivities and body profile (shape and weight distribution) play very important parts. Only some field testing is likely to give you a clear idea of what is really suitable for YOU. Phoenix This message was modified Dec 7, 2010 by Phoenix
|
I went down the same path you are on Bioman. I'm pretty heavy and hate sleeping in a dip. So I researched a bunch and did what the experts said, which was firm Dunlop - even tho I knew I liked soft mattresses and hadn't tried a dunlop mattress before buying. No surprise I didn't like the mattress and have spent a lot of time and effort trying to get it to feel softer. Swapped 2 layers to talalay, added more soft layers, etc. Still an ongoing process I'm afraid. So I just want to reiterate what Phoenix said - test mattresses and figure out what feels good and have that be the most important thing. I would much rather I listened to my aching shoulders than the experts  Seriously, its better to be comfortable for 5 years and replace a layer than to be uncomfortable for 15 years on the original layers... |
| if you all like sleeping on styrene buy talalay. dunlop doesnt have any nasty chemicals. |
|
Both Dunlop and Talalay are a process that has nothing to do with what kind of rubber is used. Both can and do use NR (natural) and SBR (synthetic) and blends. Sapsa, the largest Dunlop manufacturer in the world used to be completely SBR and even now is mostly SBR. There are many Dunlop blends just like there are natural Talalays. Phoenix |
| have a good look what sbr rubber does to your body, (eg lukemia.) talalay has soo many voc's in it it isn't funny. the BEST latex in the world is produced in Christchurch New zealand and it is called LATEX GOLD period. Talalay is 30% rubber and 70% fillers and stabilizers. latex gold is 96% natural rubber. i would have latex gold made under the dunlop process and i have had talalay. i got hot and sweaty in talalay but not in latex gold. oh by the way i run a the biggest bed retail chain here in australia, so i can tell you we have zero customer complaints from latex matts. i cant say the same for innerspring or memory foam beds. |
|
Sigh ... I wonder what it is that causes some mattress salespeople to avoid any reasonable discussion ... misrepresent facts ... ignore what was said to them ... and overpromote what they are selling without any knowledge of the alternatives that exist in this big wide world. So sad. Phoenix |
| thats a good case of the pot calling the kettle black my friend. fact is talalay is full of styrene and latex gold isnt. therefore dunlop process latex will widthstand more abuse and bounce back because it has a higher percentage of rubber than talalay latex does. oh by the way i have 30 yeras experience in the bedding industry and i sleep on latex gold (dunlop) process, how long have you been in the industry?? bioman you have nailed it go with your instincts you are right. |