Wool is firm. For most people, that's a feature. For some, it needs a counterpoint.

The Cascade Latex Base is a 3-inch slab of 100% natural Dunlop latex that sits between your bed frame and your wool mattress, adding the elasticity and body-contouring give that wool alone doesn't provide. It turns what might otherwise feel too firm into something deeply supportive - resilient enough to hold your spine in alignment, soft enough to let your body sink in at the pressure points.

Unlike synthetic foam, natural Dunlop latex is a plant-derived material — processed from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis rubber trees grown in Guatemala on FSC-certified, Rainforest Alliance-acknowledged plantations. It contains no petrochemicals, no off-gassing, and no toxic flame retardants. It's also breathable, which means it works with the wool above it to keep the sleep surface cool and dry rather than trapping heat.

This is the third layer in Shepherd's Dream's signature sleep system: latex base beneath the wool mattress, wool topper on top. 

Benefits: 

• Adds buoyancy and body-contouring give to a firm wool mattress — the missing layer for sleepers who need more softness

• 100% natural Dunlop latex — no synthetic foam, no petrochemicals, no toxic flame retardants

• FSC certified and Oeko-Tex Class 1 certified — traceable sourcing from Guatemalan rubber plantations

• Breathable and temperature-neutral — works with wool to prevent heat buildup overnight

• Durable and long-lasting — natural latex outlasts synthetic foam by years, holding its shape without sagging

• Part of Shepherd's Dream's modular sleep system — pairs with the All Wool Mattress and Snuggle Mate Wool Topper 

How to use: 

Place directly on top of your wood-slatted bed frame, beneath the All Wool Mattress.

For Shepherd's Dream's signature sleep system:

Layer 1 (bottom): Cascade Latex Base — on the frame slats

Layer 2 (middle): All Wool Mattress — on top of the latex

Layer 3 (top): Snuggle Mate Wool Topper — next-to-body softness

The latex base is also compatible with other natural mattresses where added give is needed.

Requires a wood-slatted frame for adequate airflow beneath the system.

100% natural Dunlop latex, processed from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis rubber trees grown on FSC-certified plantations in Guatemala. Processed domestically without petrochemicals or synthetic additives. FSC Certified (Rainforest Alliance acknowledged) and Oeko-Tex Class 1 Certified. Dimensions: 3 inches thick, available in standard mattress sizes.

Shepherd's Dream has been handcrafting natural wool bedding in Northern California since 1984, long before 'non-toxic' became a marketing term. Every product is made to order in their Montague, California workshop, sourced from regional farms that care for their land and their animals. Their work is a direct vote for the domestic wool industry — and for the idea that what you bring into your home should last a lifetime.

Enjoy free shipping on all orders within the U.S. Please note, we do not accept returns, but clothing items are eligible for exchange.