#Collaborative post
Latex foam mattresses are firm but responsive, pushing back against your body rather than collapsing like memory foam.
The advantage is that it provides support in the comfort layer and responds instantaneously to your movement – these characteristics make it fantastic for mobility (moving around in bed) and sleeping right at the bed edge.
There are two types – natural and synthetic latex – which feel similar. As you might guess, natural products are more expensive and luxurious. Join us below to discover the advantages of latex foam mattresses.
Latex foam types
Natural latex foam is made by whipping the sap of the rubber tree with anti-clogging additives (gum) to create a free-flowing wet mix.
The material is then poured into a metal mould and steamed to create a solid foam block that is cut into various sizes and shapes for different applications in the bed industry (e.g., mattresses, mattress toppers, pillows, etc.).
Sourcing rubber tree sap is done on an industrial scale, but even so, the costs are relatively high compared to manufacturing synthetic foam.
Synthetic latex foam uses petrochemicals in place of natural products, usually in a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) mixture. It is not a polyfoam (as with memory foam) but a rubberised one that is springy and responsive.
Both natural and synthetic latex foam can have increased firmness or improved durability by adjusting the chemical formulation.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Pinnacle 2000 Pocket Spring Latex Mattress. Available from Bedstar.
Latex foam advantages for your mattress
Latex foam resists compression and pushes against your body weight, providing a supportive yet pliable comfort layer to sink into in bed.
Compare this to memory foam, which collapses under your weight and doesn’t push back, and it’s easy to see the difference:
- Memory foam is a comfort layer
- Latex foam is a comfort and support layer
Latex foam still offers pressure relief and excellent body moulding, but it doesn’t retain your shape, instead bouncing back instantaneously.
What does this mean for your sleep experience? When you move around, the foam will move with you rather than squash and slowly spring back.
Many people prefer the feel of latex foam after trying it out. The problem is that most mattresses use memory foam, so most people are so used to the squashy, sinking feeling they believe latex foam mattresses are too firm.
The opposite is true – latex foam is a soft and comfy surface, but it springs back and provides support throughout the sleep surface.
Unbeatable motion isolation
Latex foam deadens movement because it compresses in a local area, with your weight collapsing only the points it comes into contact with. The result is a lack of motion transfer and a more comfortable sleep for your partner.
Firm edge support
The problem with memory foam and other polyfoams is that they collapse at the bed’s edge. Latex maintains its rigidity and firmness, providing support at the edge so that you can use the whole sleep surface, not just the bit in the middle.
Perfect for all sleep positions
Latex foam is well-suited for back, side, and tummy sleepers, especially those who want a responsive sleep surface. Side sleepers are particularly well-suited to it, as the foam’s resistance creates a natural spinal arc.
Exceptionally durable
Latex foam is more durable than polyfoam and provides a more consistent sleep surface. With proper care, your latex foam mattress will continue providing fantastic support after year one and last for around eight years.
Summing up
Latex foam pushes back against your body for maximum support and provides a responsive sleep surface that makes it easy to shift positions.
It springs back instantaneously and offers excellent motion isolation and edge support without encapsulation and fancy spring systems. It suits you best if you require responsive support and want a no-fuss sleep surface.
