Avena Foam vs. Latex Foam and FAQs

If you’re a regular Sleepopolis reader, or you’ve been following my reviews of the new Leesa mattress, then you probably have already seen and read a bit about Avena foam. Avena foam was used as the comfort layer of the Leesa in its original design (though they have recently switched to LSA200 foam.

So what is Avena foam exactly?

Avena foam is a trademarked and patented foam intended to be an alternative to latex foam. It’s been around since the 1990s and it’s designed to have the same overall feel, comfort, and support you get in a latex foam mattress, but with much better overall durability.

Attributes of Avena Foam

• Allows for constant airflow throughout the night, so the mattress always sleeps cool
• Hypo-allergenic
• Won’t crumble or crack
• Improved durability over latex
• Reduced compression over time (so you won’t develop a “sunk” spot on your mattress)

How is Avena foam made?

Avena foam is manufactured the same way as other mattress foams, it’s poured on a continuous line. Avena is similar to latex in many ways, but uses a different formulation during construction. Avena foam (like latex and virtually all poly foams) is 100% recyclable.

Other Avena foam specs

• CertiPUR-US Certified
• Density:  3.6pcf
• Indentation force deflection:  20-26
• No ozone depleters
• No PBDE flame retardants
• No mercury
• No lead
• No other heavy metals
• No formaldehyde
• No phthalates
• Low VOCs
• 100% recyclable