Dunlop or Talalay Latex Mattress?

There’s a lot of confusion about what Dunlop and Talalay mean. They are neither types of latex nor types of rubber trees, but types of processing. Dunlop is a process that’s been around since 1929 and involves the traditional manufacturing method. Talalay is the name of a newer process. Here’s how they differ.

Dunlop

When Dunlop latex is made, the serum is frothed in a centrifuge, poured into a mold, covered and baked at a low temperature. The natural sediments in the latex settle to the bottom of the mold, which yields a layer that is slightly firmer on the bottom side.

Talalay

In the Talalay process, after the latex is poured, the mold is sealed and air is vacuumed out. Then the mold is flash-frozen to stabilize the material. This produces a more consistent cell structure, as some of the weaker air bubbles are vacuumed out. Because of the added steps, Talalay latex is more expensive than Dunlop. All Talalay pieces wider than 40" have glue seams. Simalfa is a safe, water based glue.

Which is better?

Having worked with both Dunlop and Talalay latex, we can say with confidence that neither is superior to the other. What matters more is how it is handled out of the mold, how it is packaged, shipped, and ultimately, what is in the end product.

What other variables are there? Some companies add “fillers” such as clay to make the latex go further. (If you find a Queen size natural latex mattress for $1000 or less, there are fillers.) And some companies boast “perimeter support”, known in the industry as racetracking. That means they use cheaper materials, usually polyurethane foam, around the outside of the latex. This does make the edge of the bed stiffer for sitting on. It also reduces the sleeping surface by up to 20%.

We think it’s a shame that companies selling Natural Talalay say it’s superior and more pure than Natural Dunlop, and vice versa. Both materials make a great mattress and are extremely pure relative to most commercial mattresses. (One company sold Dunlop latex one month, speaking negatively about Talalay, and the next month reversed their position.)

While it is true that Talalay has a wider range of ILDs, or firmness grades, in our experience Dunlop is heavier and more durable. If you like a very soft mattress, you will want Talalay. (For example, a layer of Soft Talalay is softer than a layer of Soft Dunlop.) If you have children who mistake their mattress for a trampoline, you will want Dunlop. That is why we carry both. We are also happy to combine the two in configuring a Savvy Rest.

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