Viscoelastic foam is a specialized type of polyurethane foam design to have properties that are both viscous and elastic in nature, and one of its design characteristic was to absorb the energy of motion (NASA AMES research project). Being a dense material, it has thicker struts (cell walls) and smaller windows (cell openings). The specialized chemical composition does take heat and "absorbs" it to soften the struts and the feel of the foam - this is part of the design. Additionally, humidity affects the feel of the foam, softening it. Combine this with the smaller windows for a lower air flow (cfm), you have a foam that isn't the best at heat transfer.To correct an earlier reply to this question, viscoelastic foam is open cell in construction. Closed cell foams are typically your flotation types of foam - not for mattress cushioning materials.To minimize this innate characteristic of viscoelastic foam of being poor at heat transfer (it's not simply about having a high cfm), foam manufacturers have recently come up with different types of phase changing additives (fillers) to add to the viscoelastic foam, lowering the density and also increasing the rate of heat transfer.
Some of these work better than others, but chances are you'll still tend to sleep a bit warmer upon a memory foam mattress. It's simply the nature of the construction and composition of the product.As far as ways to help minimize the heat trapping characteristics, make sure you're placing the item upon some sort of a foundation that allows air to circulate under the mattress (slatted decks are better than plywood, for example). Also, using a thin mattress pad that uses an embedded phase changing product will greatly assist with heat transfer - something that uses Outlast would be an example (disclaimer: I don't sell Outlast products at my stores). Or, some people enjoy using mattress toppers made of wool for the natural temperature and humidity regulating properties of that product.There is a large wealth of information about the foam technology of viscoelastic foam at the Polyurethane Foam Association website (PFA), and there's also quite a bit of objective and detailed foam and topper information at The Mattress Underground website (Your best source for information on mattress brands, materials, and choices).
About 9% of memory foam mattress owners report sleeping hot. An additional 15% report their bed being warm, but at most times not uncomfortably so. In other words, the clear majority of memory foam mattress owners report no heat problems.Keep in mind, however, that these numbers may be affected by the fact that memory foam is often known to sleep hot for some people. As a result, people who are naturally hot sleepers may avoid buying a memory foam bed in the first place – making the rate somewhat lower than it otherwise would be.Owner experience data suggests that the main factors effecting memory foam heat retention are foam density and comfort layer / cover material.Different memory foam mattress brands / models can have different foam density. Mattresses with higher foam density tend to have at least two times the number of heat retention reports than do mattresses with lower density foam. High foam density appears to allow less air flow through the foam and also envelopes the sleeper to a significant extent resulting in less heat dispersal.
When I purchased my memory foam mattress (Memory Foam Mattress - 3rd Gen Memory Foam Mattress by Ergoflex, Deluxe HD Visco-Elastic Specialist), I had the same fear about the heat. I put a mattress topper in between the mattress and my sheets and that seems to help keep it cool. Hi,Foam, cushion or memory foam makes your body hot. It is simple science, cushion or foams does not allow any air to pass through the sitting or sleeping position. It is like the memory foam completely locks the surface area of your back, air do not pass in. And also the cushion or foam do not dissipate heat but it retains them, so there is no wonder your body gets hot.Consider a car or bike. it needs air + water cooled radiator to cool its own parts. Such like your body needs air to circulate around . Foam stops it, by locking your lower area.Right way, is to sleep in flat surface, metal or wood. Since metal transfers the heat from your body to ground. And it does not tightly pack your back surface like foam.Metals are the best, next comes wood, then plastics with holes in bottom.
Wool, cushions, foams are the worst, they get you heated up. These are used in cold countries for maintaining body temperature warm.Unless you are in 15 C or less weather condition, It is very harmful for you to sleep or sit in foam.If you want to have better life live like a jungle man or tribe - no foam, No GMO, no fluoride, no plastics.-OstinCool-jams Temperature Regulating Cooling Mattress Pad(Free Shipping Continental US) Ever wish you had additional support for your mattress to ensure you can avoid overheating or feeling too cold when you sleep? Thanks to the Cool-jams™ Temperature Regulating Cooling Mattress Pad, you now can enjoy a proven mattress pad designed to regulate your body temperature at night and cool down a hot mattress. Many people overheat during the night for a variety of reasons, including the use of an uncomfortable hot foam-topped mattress, hot flashes due to menopause or common night sweats. However, this cooling mattress pad can help with all of these things and more, creating a cool, comfortable temperature between you and your mattress and providing that full night of sleep that you desperately need.
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Sizes: Twin 39" x 75", Twin XL 39" x 80", Full 54" x 75", Queen 60" x 80", King 78" x 80" and Cal-King 72" x 84". Note: This item will ship separately from any sleepwear products in your order. For information regarding bedding returns, please visit our customer care page. "Before I started wearing my Cool-jams p.j.'s, I could never sleep through the night without waking up completely soaked in sweat. It was common for me to change my p.j.'s several times per night. These pajamas are the best. I only wish I would have found them sooner!" - Gini H., Salt Lake City, UT PRODUCT REVIEWS3 Reviews | Why more customers choose Cool-Jams... Award 2013 by Apparel Magazine Scientifically engineered to absorb and wick moisture and heat faster, dry quicker, and to have the most advanced natural antibacterial protection of any sleepwear tested. Cool-jams has indeed revolutionized the world of sleep with our performance fabric technology. Our innovative wicking performance fabric is more comfortable because it feels like silky soft, lightweight cotton.