What are the types of fillings used in futons in general ?

The comfort of a futon mattress varies greatly depending on its material. 
As we are specialized in cotton, we mainly sell handmade cotton futons, but there are some other types of futons using different materials in the market.

What are the requirements of a futon mattress for a comfortable sleep? A futon mattress should have a good balance of hardness, heat retention, insulation, moisture absorption, and moisture release.

We hope this will help you find the right futon for you.

Cotton (mostly used in handmade futons)
Good points: sturdy and can be re-fabricated (difficult for overseas customers due to high shipping costs, but we can do it for Japanese customers). Good heat retention. Good moisture absorbency. Elasticity can be restored by sun.
Bad points: Heavy. 

Who is this suitable for?
People who like natural materials and its simplicity. People who are looking for an organic sleeping environment. The moderate firmness of naturally compressed cotton is useful for people with back problems.

green cotton field in India

Polyester (mostly used in machine made futons)
Good points: Anti-allergen measures possible. Some of them are washable at home. Lightweight. High heat retention. Broad price range.
Bad points: Poor moisture absorption and desorption, prone to static electricity.

Who is this suitable for?
People who value lightness. People who are not sensitive to chemicals.
Many very cheap mass-produced products are of this type.

Polyester fiber before carding

Cotton/polyester blend (used in handmade and machine made futons)
Good points: Lower price. Relatively light.
Bad points: Weak elasticity (hard to return when sagging).

Wool (mostly used in machine made futons)
Good points: High heat retention. Good moisture absorption and desorption. Relatively light.
Bad points: Tends to lose its elasticity. Animal allergens are a concern. Generally, a little more expensive than cotton futons.
Since they sag easily, three-layer futons with wool wrapped around a polyester core are popular.

Who is this suitable for?
People who are not allergic to animals.

Urethane foam (low-resilience mattress, used in machine made futons)
Good points: Easy to fit. Many variations. Lightweight. This can use the latest technology. Some of them have various functions.
Bad points: Easily steamy. Easy to sag

Who is this suitable for?
People who want a futon produced with the latest technology.