So, the benefits of 100% natural are purported to be non-exposure to petroleum-based synthetic latex, which makes up, what, 60 to 70% of blended latex?  Seems prudent to avoid exposure when possible.

But looking at FAQs on this website, it states that 
"natural latex has a lot of impurities in it which is only natural, so it breaks down much sooner than the mix."

And Latex International, who appear to be producing the natural latex used by the better known dealers, state on their website that
"Wear and tear simulation testing shows blend superiority. 100% natural latex cores experience 5 to10% more mattress core height loss (i.e. body impressions) due to wear and tear than our Talalay and 2 to 3 times more loss (softening) due to repeated sitting and sleeping."  I guess if blend softening is really minor than 2-3 times that small amount may not be that great, or 2-3 times could be a huge difference.  They also don't discuss how long that core height loss takes to occur.   It also appears the 100% natural product has only been offered by LI for about 2 years.

Flobeds warranties both natural and blended latex for 20 years, which appears to reflect their confidence in the natural product, although I don't really know what value a pro-rated mattress warranty really has.  I would appreciate hearing from those who have or are about to purchase latex, and how they made the decision to go either way.  For those who are chemically sensitive it seems a no-brainer to go natural, but for others, why choose the more expensive choice with shorter longevity and resiliency?

My take James is that all-natural latex is for those people who specifically demand an all-natural product, for health, moral, or other reasons. In my case, I don't care if it's 70% "petroleum based" because it's just no big deal to me on any level, so it was an easy choice to go with the blend. It's a bit less expensive and an arguably superior product. I'm told there isn't much odor to the blend, but I'm not all that sensitive anyway.

Why latex? In my case I like the feel of a latex core, and the superior longevity of latex. It just seems like a good "investment" to me.  But if I need something firmer than the ILD 40 latex, I have no particular qualms about replacing the bottom 2.8" layer of latex with a High Resilience 2.4 or 2.6 lb poly foam. That bottom-most layer seems like a good place to economize, and polyurathane foam is available in much higher ILDs (50 or 55) for a super firm base. But that's just me.

I'm only "book smart" now anyway. Someone with more personal experience with latex can give you a better answer.

I own both the blended talatech and the 100% natural talatech from LI.

Both look very similar.  Both feel very similar.  The natural smells more.  I haven't owned them long enough to make personal durability claims.

I can tell you this, the next time I buy latex, it will be a blend.  In my opinion, there is no point in seeking out the natural.

100% natural seems to imply something.  However, from what I understand, stuff needs to be added to all latex to turn it in to foam.  Is it really 100% natural in the end?  Something to think about.

When I look at my 100% natural topper, it doesn't look like anything I would find out in nature.  It definitely looks man made.

I can add that I had a natural latex mattress for a short time.I loved it in the store, and was sure it would hold up well. But it didn't at all, and I ended up exchanging it.

We so much wanted to love natural latex - but we don't (due to lack of support). I would recommend going blended unless you like sleeping on a marshmallow. LI's blend is Oeko-Tex certified so that should at least say something to those concerned about harmful chemicals.

Alisande, I'd be curious as to what brand the latex product was. I've never heard a complaint about latex breaking down quickly anywhere so it sounds like a shady product and a brand I think we'd all want to avoid.

There was a thread from about a year ago questioning whether LI's latex was less dense than it used to be. Latex is supposed to have a "support factor" of around 2.5. This means it can be soft and yet very supportive. Support factor is directly related to density. If what used to be 4.5 lb latex is now only 4 lb latex (for example), it would be less supportive.

This was never proven, but I keep thinking about it when people say that even the most dense talalay latex is not supportive enough for them.

D3Fi, I am just like you and wanted to love my 100% all natural latex bed but ended up having to add some blended higher 44 Latex ILD's from Flobeds to get my bed firm enough. Now I see that I could have saved money and just went with a blended latex bed since despite my chemical sensitivities, I do not seem to be having any problems with the blended latex that is in my zippered up cover. I still want my topper to be natural latex for my piece of mine.

I am glad I went with Flobeds since so far I have done over 7 latex exchanges (7 + topper exchanges) to get my bed to the firmness and comfort level I like.  I wanted this flexibility and I did not want a restocking fee if Latex was not for me.

Since no bed is perfect, I do like having a Latex bed and feel it is good for my support as long as I have some blended latex as part of the latex cores since a 36 ILD latex core is the firmest natural latex ILD and I needed a 44 ILD core.

I am looking forward to hearing how you like the 44 ILD latex cores that I have a feeling will be the correct firmness for you and your wife.