Differences Between Memory Foam and Latex Foam

One of the biggest misconceptions by people just starting to look into comfort and support products is that memory foam and latex foam are the same. While both are premium materials that offer one-of-a-kind comfort, there are a few major differences that separate the two.

Latex foam’s main ingredient is natural latex rubber tapped from trees. A mix of the latex and other ingredients is poured into special aluminum molds containing vertical pins, which produce a dotted appearance that adds to latex’s unique aerating qualities. In conjunction with that pin-core design and its open-cell structure, latex foam’s most unique quality is its cooling breathability. Latex foam has a semi-rubbery feel and is almost gelatinous to the touch. It is a very supportive material that forms to the curvature of the body and immediately responds to movement, always providing constant support. Latex is often firmer than most memory foam materials as well.

Memory foam is made from a traditional polyurethane foam mixture with visco-elastic polymers added that give the material its famous body-forming “memory” characteristics. This substance is poured onto belts and expanded into huge block forms, which are then cut down into the products we are familiar with, like mattresses and pillows. Unlike latex foam, memory foam’s texture and appearance is identical to other types of polyurethane foam. What sets it apart however, are the visco-elastic polymers in its structure. When a body warms a memory mattress or cushion, it softens and contours to the individual perfectly, evenly distributing pressure and creating a soft, cloud-like feel as your body is enveloped in the material.

These are just the main differences between the two materials, and while they aren’t the same, both foam and latex can provide years of unparalleled comfort in your life.