Talalay Latex Mattress Toppers, 2 and 3 Inch, Made to Order

What Talalay latex is, and how it differs from Dunlop

All natural latex starts as sap from the rubber tree. The two names you will see, Talalay and Dunlop, describe how that sap is turned into foam. In the Dunlop process, the latex is whipped, poured into a mold, and baked. Gravity settles the heavier particles toward the bottom, so Dunlop is denser, firmer, and slightly firmer on one side than the other. In the Talalay process, the mold is only partly filled, sealed, and vacuumed so the foam expands to fill it, then flash-frozen to lock the cell structure before it is vulcanized.

That extra work gives Talalay a lighter, more consistent open-cell structure from top to bottom. In practice it feels more buoyant and pillowy than Dunlop, breathes better, and comes in softer feels. Dunlop is a fine material for a firm support core; for a topper, where feel and airflow are the whole point, Talalay is the better choice.

Why sleepers choose latex over memory foam

Latex is resilient. Press it and it pushes back immediately, so you sleep on the surface rather than in a slow-forming pocket. That suits combination sleepers who change position, people who feel stuck in memory foam, and anyone who sleeps hot: Talalay’s open cells move air, and the material does not soften with body heat, so it feels the same at 3am as at bedtime. It is also naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mold.

It lasts. Natural latex is among the most durable foams made and holds its shape for years without body impressions. Ours is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances. Compared with our gel memory foam toppers, latex costs more and weighs more, and it does not have the deep, cradling hug memory foam is loved for. If that hug is what you want, memory foam is the right call.

24 ILD or 28 ILD: choosing firmness

ILD stands for indentation load deflection, the pounds of force needed to compress a foam sample by 25 percent of its height. Lower is softer. We offer Talalay toppers in two ratings:

• 24 ILD (softer): plush and pressure-relieving. The choice for side sleepers, sleepers under about 180 pounds, and anyone whose mattress is too firm. Pairs well with 3 inches.
• 28 ILD (medium): supportive with a little give. The choice for back and stomach sleepers, sleepers over about 180 pounds, and mattresses that have gone soft. Works in 2 or 3 inches.

Couples who differ can order a split king as two Twin XL toppers, one at each ILD. If you are between the two and your mattress is firm, go 24; if it is soft, go 28.

2 inch or 3 inch

Two inches of Talalay changes the surface of a bed without changing its support: cooler, springier, a touch softer or firmer depending on ILD. It is the pick for a mattress you already like, for RV beds and bunks with height limits, and for sleepers under about 130 pounds. Three inches is the full comfort-layer replacement. It is enough to cushion a side sleeper’s shoulder on a firm hybrid or to firm up a soft pillow top at 28 ILD, and it is the thickness most people order.

Latex is heavy. A 3 inch queen is a two-person lift, and a king more so. It ships flat or loosely rolled rather than compressed, so there is no decompression wait; it is ready the day it arrives. Bare latex should be used under a fitted sheet or in a topper cover to protect it from light and abrasion, which shorten its life.

How ordering works

Talalay toppers are cut to order through our custom quote form. Tell us the size (any standard size, one of our 12 RV sizes, or any rectangle up to 80 x 84 inches in half-inch increments), the thickness, and the ILD, and we will reply with a price in 1-2 business days. Because each one is cut for you, the quote is the fastest way to get an exact figure; there is no markup for standard sizes over custom ones. Once you approve, the topper is cut in Phoenix and shipped free by FedEx Ground to the lower 48. Latex toppers carry our 5-year warranty and 30-Night Happiness Guarantee like every LOUNJ topper.