Your body needs more than just sleep; it needs the restorative bliss made possible by one of the world’s most luxurious mattresses. PranaSleep manufactures truly amazing mattresses, and this is not an accident. Our experts have put an incredible amount of planning, preparation, researching, and designing into each detail. All PranaSleep mattresses are handmade by master craftsmen, and made right here in the USA. Everything from the initial design to the stitching that sews together your new mattress is the best it could possibly be. Part of this dedication to your rest and rejuvenation means we only use the finest materials. One of the materials we are most proud of is our proprietary blend of natural Talalay Latex.
What is Talalay Latex?
You may be wondering what exactly this is and why it matters. Latex is derived from rubber, which naturally flows from rubber trees. Our luxury mattresses feature varying densities of our proprietary blend of Talalay Latex. Our latex provides the mattress’s core and comfort layers with firm, yet supple support. We choose Talalay Latex because it makes it possible to create a mattress that is uniquely comforting while also conforming to your body’s individual curves.
Are all Latex Mattresses Made With Talalay Latex?
No! There are two main types of latex you will find in mattresses, Talalay Latex and Dunlop Latex. The difference between Talalay and Dunlop is in the way the materials are produced. The beginning material is the same, the rubber from the rubber trees, and the two diverge in the manufacturing process used. The Dunlop process is simpler. The Talalay Latex process is far more involved, and so it produces a softer and less-dense latex material that is better suited for a luxury mattress.
All About Dunlop Latex
Dunlop is the original manufacturing process for latex foams. It was first developed in 1929, nearly a century ago. The process has not changed much since then! This is the basic process for Dunlop latex:
#1 Latex extract, in liquid form, is mechanically whipped to form a frothy foam
#2 The foam material is placed in a mold
#3 The material is baked in a vulcanization oven
#4 The “baked” latex is removed from the mold and washed thoroughly
#5 The material is baked again to remove moisture
This process produces a relatively dense, firm foam. The material is also not evenly distributed, which results in a “bottom-heavy” composition, where the bottom is firmer than the top. For this reason, Dunlop Latex creates a composition that can be helpful for support cores in mattresses, but is typically not as ideal for comfort layers.
The Benefits of Talalay Latex
The Talalay process is a bit more involved, high-tech, and modern. The Talalay process is designed to produce softer, fluffier latex with a more homogenous consistency. The beginning process is the same, however, the mold is filled only partially. The filled mold is vacuum-sealed, which causes the latex to expand. The filled mold is then frozen rapidly, pushing carbon dioxide through the latex. The resulting foam is softer and much less dense, which makes it well-suited for the comfortable feeling you’re looking for. As well, Talalay Latex is generally more breathable than Dunlop latex, as it is less dense, and allows for better airflow. If you find yourself getting too warm at night, you want to find a mattress with as much Talalay Latex as possible.
Where do we use Talalay Latex?
Talalay Latex is created using a process that is more labor intensive and creates a better-quality product, especially because we use organic latex. We use Talalay Latex in two places, the PranaSleep Performance Talalay Core® and the PranaSleep® Performance Talalay Comfort Layer. The core of a mattress is so very important toward how long it lasts and how happy you are with it. The highest-grade mattress foam available, our PranaSleep Performance Talalay Core® has over three times the amount of natural rubber as ordinary Talalay latex, offering perfect comfort and support. A dreamy level of comforting contour is then created by layering densities of the Performance Talalay latex. It is designed to offer maximum pressure relief and deliver a deeper, more restorative sleep every night.
Natural Talalay Latex is more soft, durable, eco-friendly, and cool than other materials, even other types of latex. That is precisely why we use this material, in varying densities, in our mattresses. If you want to really feel the difference Talalay Latex can make in your life, you’ll want to look into our Om Collection. It features natural silk, wool, and cashmere, as well as a core and comfort layers composed of 100% natural Talalay Latex. This collection has the most Talalay Latex you can get! Other collections that include generous amounts of Talalay Latex include our Organics Collection, flagship PranaSleep Collection, and Lotus Collection. When you’re ready to feel Talalay Latex for yourself, we invite you to visit a PranaSleep retail partner and lie down on one!
