CONFUSED! Anyone know the difference between latex & memory foam?

I am so lost - I've been reading for hours, but nearly every site is selling one or the other, and the few independent sources are completely confusing. I want to start with a mattress topper, because the mattresses are so unbelievable expensive, but even the toppers are $$$ - my main questions are: which is firmer/softer? What do they mean about "holding heat"? Last, if anyone has one, how think do you think I'd need to go to het some idea of whether or not a mattress would be worth (eventually) buying?

ANY ADVICE, INFO, RECOMENDATIONS, ANYTHING WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!! Thank you!!

Btw., here is a short section "explaining" the difference. It's Greek to me. If you can dumb it down for me, that would be wonderful


[QUOTE]I am so lost - I've been reading for hours, but nearly every site is selling one or the other, and the few independent sources are completely confusing. I want to start with a mattress topper, because the mattresses are so unbelievable expensive, but even the toppers are $$$ - my main questions are: which is firmer/softer? What do they mean about "holding heat"? Last, if anyone has one, how think do you think I'd need to go to het some idea of whether or not a mattress would be worth (eventually) buying?

ANY ADVICE, INFO, RECOMENDATIONS, ANYTHING WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!! Thank you!!

Btw., here is a short section "explaining" the difference. It's Greek to me. If you can dumb it down for me, that would be wonderful


[QUOTE]Health care specialists say that to be labeled as providing pressure relief, a mattress has to have the pressure of 32mmHg or lower, whereas pressure reduction performance is agreed to occur between 32mmHg and 50mmHg. Pay attention to foam density, thickness, and indentation load deflection (ILD), which grades the softness or firmness of the mattress topper. Density may range from 2 to 6 pounds, while height can vary from 1 to 6 inches. Most bedding experts will tell you that a density of less than 4 pounds and thickness of less than 3 inches simply adds a little more comfort to your existing bed, whereas mattress toppers with higher density and thickness will change the texture of a bed entirely.Denser mattress toppers may have more firmness, but this might not always be true, in which case consumers should defer to the product's ILD. Generally, memory foam mattress toppers with an ILD of 15 or below and latex foam mattress toppers of an ILD of 28 or below are sufficient.[/QUOTE]

[bigsissie]

It is greek to me also. However I do have a 3" memory foam topper and I love it! I have back problems and would wake up with back, leg, hips, and knees in pain and also had to go to the chiropractor to get my back adjusted quite a bit. We got the topper and it improved everything. We did get a higher density 3".  Best wishes

[FurballsMom]

Temperpedic is the most well-known brand.  It is memory foam.  I don't know exactly the material, but I guarantee it's not latex.  I have a Temperpedic pillow.  I am allergic to latex.  I have had this pillow for several years now.  If it were latex, I wouldn't be able to use it.

The one thing to consider about the memory foam that you should definitely pay attention to:  If you are very sensitive to heat, memory foam has the tendency to hold the heat in.  So, you might not be able to stand it during the summer time months.  My friends told me they tried a Temperpedic mattress, but they had to send it back during the trial period because of this issue.  They said it was otherwise terrific, but it was unbearably hot during the summer months.  I think they're correct, too, because I feel the heat in my pillow during the summer months, so I don't think I could handle an entire mattress or mattress pad made of this material.  If it weren't for this I would consider doing this myself.

My friends went for the Sleep Number bed and have been quite happy with it for many years.  This is coming from a couple with one person who has a long list of health issues and back problems herself.  She sleeps so much better and feels so much better on this bed.  

I do know that this bed is good, too, if your needs for firmness tend to shift a bit.  You can definitely make it as firm as you need it.  I once slept on my friend's bed and it was great.  And, my back is a mess, too.