You've just put the cushions on the lounge sofa and then the rain arrives. With ordinary cushions, that means a wet seat that takes days to dry. Quick dry foam promises a solution. But what exactly is it, why does it dry faster, and how do you tell whether a cushion really has it? In this article you'll read how quick dry foam works, how it compares to regular foam and to flakes with fibre filling, what SG on a label means, and what to look for when you choose new garden cushions.
In short: quick dry foam is foam with an open cell structure: water flows through it and doesn't stay trapped. So it isn't waterproof, but it dries faster. Regular foam works like a sponge, and flakes with fibre filling are soft but hold moisture. You can tell whether a cushion is quick dry from the filling in the product information. None of the cushions we currently list mention it; there you'll find cushions with a well-known filling.
What is quick dry foam?
Quick dry foam, also known as quick-drying foam, dry foam or reticulated foam, is a polyurethane foam with a very open structure. In regular foam, the cells are partly closed off by thin walls. In quick dry foam, those walls are largely gone. What remains is a kind of three-dimensional network of strands, with large open spaces in between. Hold it up to the light and you can often see a little way through it.
You mainly know it from cushions for boats and watersports, where cushions often get wet and need to be usable again quickly. You also see it in garden cushions and lounge cushions that are often left outdoors.
How it works: water goes through rather than into it
The most important thing to remember: quick dry foam doesn't hold water back. It lets water pass through. That sounds contradictory, but that's exactly where the advantage lies.
- Regular foam works like a kitchen sponge. Water soaks into the small cells and stays there. The cushion sometimes feels dry on the outside while the core is still wet.
- Quick dry foam has such large, open cells that water runs straight out under gravity. Much less moisture remains, and air can easily pass through to let the rest evaporate.
How quickly a cushion dries in practice depends on the weather, the thickness of the cushion, the cover and how you lay it down. A promise like "dry after an hour" should therefore never be seen apart from those conditions.
Quick dry foam isn't a raincoat for your cushion, it's a colander. The water gets in, but it also runs out again. That's why it works best when the water can escape from the underside.
Quick dry foam, regular foam and flakes compared
In garden cushions you mainly come across three types of filling. This is how they differ:
| Filling | After a shower | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Quick dry foam | Water runs out | Shape-retaining, springy |
| Regular foam (e.g. SG-28, SG-35) | Soaks up moisture | Shape-retaining, firm |
| Foam flakes + fibre filling | Holds moisture | Soft, moulds to you |
| Polyester fibre filling | Holds moisture | Soft, plump |
Regular foam is a block of foam, often polyether. You see it in seat and lounge cushions that need to stay firm and flat. In product information it's usually listed as an SG value, such as "Filling: SG-35".
Foam flakes with fibre filling is a mix of small pieces of foam and polyester fibres in an inner cover. It feels softer and looser, and works well for back cushions. Over time the filling can shift or clump; shaking it up helps.
Polyester fibre filling is the hollow-fibre filling you know from decorative cushions: light, plump and soft, but not meant for long periods of sitting.
What does SG mean on the label?
SG stands for specific gravity: how many kilograms of foam there are per cubic metre. "SG-35" therefore means 35 kilograms per cubic metre, "SG-28" 28 kilograms. The higher the number, the more material there is in the foam.
- A higher SG is usually more shape-retaining and keeps its springiness for longer. The cushion sinks in less quickly.
- A lower SG is lighter and often cheaper, but can flatten faster.
- SG says nothing about drying time. An SG-35 cushion of regular foam soaks up water just as well. Quick drying is a property of the cell structure, not of the weight.
- SG is also not the same as firmness. Two cushions with the same SG can feel different.
Compare within the same type
An SG value tells you the most when you compare two cushions with the same type of filling. You can't simply weigh a block of foam against a mix of flakes based on that number alone.
The cover is just as important
A quick-drying filling is of little use if the water can't get out. The cover determines how much water gets in and whether it can get out again.
- Water-repellent cover: has a coating that makes droplets bead up at first. That will hold off a brief shower, but in prolonged rain water will still soak in, particularly through seams and zips. Water-repellent is therefore not waterproof.
- Breathable or open underside: genuine quick dry cushions often have a mesh or open-weave underside so the water can run out.
- Removable cover with a zip: handy for washing, and for letting a cushion dry faster after a heavy shower.
- Fabric: acrylic and polyester are widely used outdoors. Cotton blends feel softer, but make sure they dry thoroughly after rain.
If you want to make an existing cover repel water better, read how to waterproof garden cushions. Do note that a water-repellent coating on the cover and a quick dry filling work against each other if the water can't escape from the underside.
Pros and cons of quick dry foam
Advantages
- Water runs straight through and doesn't stay in the core
- Dries faster than regular foam, especially with an open underside
- Less chance of moisture staying in the cushion for weeks
- Shape-retaining and springy, as foam should be
Downsides and caveats:
- Not waterproof: after a shower the cushion is still wet at first. The benefit lies in drying out, not in staying dry.
- Price: quick dry foam is usually more expensive than regular foam.
- Feel: it feels different from regular foam or a soft flake filling. Try it out first if you can.
- No guarantee against mould: the filling dries faster, but dirt and moisture on the cover can still cause mould or algae.
- Harder to find: standard garden cushions usually contain regular foam or a flake mix.
How to tell what you're buying
The words "outdoor", "weather-resistant" or "quick-drying" in a product title don't always say anything about the filling. Go through these points before you order; tick off what you've checked.
- The filling is stated explicitly in the product information
- Quick dry foam, quick-drying foam or reticulated foam is mentioned under the filling
- "Quick-drying" refers to the filling, not just the fabric (as with textileen)
- An SG value alone means: assume regular foam
- Water-repellent: it states whether or not it is
- The cover has a zip and is removable
- The underside lets water through (mesh or open weave)
Unsure about the size or type of cushion? Then also read buying garden cushions: what should you look out for?
Cushions in our range with a known filling
To be honest: among the cushions and lounge sets currently available, quick dry foam is not listed as a filling anywhere. Where you come across "quick-drying", it refers to the fabric, such as textileen. However, a good number of cushions do state exactly what filling they contain. That way you at least know what you're buying. Below are a few examples; you can see the current prices on the cards.
Regular foam SG-35: shape-retaining
The Richmond seat cushion has a filling of SG-35 foam, a thickness of around 10 cm and a cover of 65% acrylic and 35% polyester. The cover is water-repellent and has a zip, so you can take it off.
Lounge seat cushion Richmond moss 60x60 cm
For a pallet sofa there's the Manchester green pallet cushion of approx. 120 x 80 cm, also with SG-35 and a water-repellent cover of 100% acrylic with a zip.
Lounge pallet cushion Manchester green 120x80 cm
Regular foam SG-28: a little lighter
The seat cushion from the Eco-line has a filling of SG-28 and a cover of 75% cotton, 20% polyester and 5% other fibres. The cover is water-repellent and removable.
Lounge seat cushion Beige canvas eco+ 60x60 cm
Foam flakes and fibre filling: soft
The Manchester denim grey lounge back cushion is filled with a mix of foam flakes and polyester fibre filling. That feels soft against your back. The cover is 100% acrylic, water-repellent and has a zip.
Lounge back cushion Manchester denim grey
The Florance seat cushion has the same type of flake mix, but the cover is not water-repellent and has no zip. It's a cushion to bring indoors after use.
Florance seat cushion Basic black 73x73 cm
Also worth a look:
Sunbed cushion SG-35, 190 x 60 cm
View cushion →
Decorative cushion with fibre filling
View cushion →
Primo cushion box 680 litres
View box →You'll find more choice in our lounge cushions, seat cushions, back cushions and sunbed cushions, or in the complete overview of garden cushions. Still need to choose a lounge set? Then use our selection guide.
How to let a wet cushion dry properly
Whether your cushion has quick dry foam or regular foam: this is the fastest way to dry it and prevent mould.
Stand the cushion on a short edge so the water can drain downwards. Lying flat on a table, the water stays inside the cushion.
Let it dry somewhere with a breeze and preferably some sun, or indoors in a well-ventilated room. Not in a closed box or bag.
If the cushion has a zip, remove the filling. The cover and filling dry much faster separately.
Check that the core of the cushion is dry too. A damp cushion in a cushion box or bag will go mouldy.
You can read more about drying, washing and mould in how to wash lounge set cushions and cleaning garden cushions. For storage, see garden cushion storage tips.
Common mistakes
Thinking quick dry means waterproof
Quick dry foam lets water through. After a shower the cushion is still wet at first; the advantage is that it dries faster.
Confusing quick-drying fabric with a quick-drying filling
Textileen and some other fabrics are described as quick-drying. That says nothing about the filling of a cushion. Always check what is listed under "filling".
Only looking at the SG number
A high SG says something about shape retention, not about how quickly a cushion dries. An SG-35 cushion of regular foam soaks up water just as well.
Leaving a quick dry cushion lying flat
If the water can't escape from the underside, it stays inside the cushion. Stand it upright after a shower.
Leaving cushions outside all season
Even a quick-drying cushion will get dirt, algae and mould on the cover if it lies outside for weeks. Read can a lounge set stay outside?
Frequently asked questions
What is quick dry foam?
Quick dry foam is foam with a very open cell structure. The cells are connected to each other, so rainwater runs straight through under the influence of gravity instead of being held inside. As a result, a cushion with this filling dries faster after a shower than a cushion with regular foam.
Is quick dry foam waterproof?
No. Quick dry foam is the opposite of waterproof: it lets water through. The advantage is that the water also drains out again. The cover determines how much water gets in; a water-repellent cover can withstand a shower, but it is not waterproof.
What does SG mean for a cushion filling?
SG stands for specific gravity: the number of kilograms of foam per cubic metre. SG-35 therefore contains more material per cubic metre than SG-28. A higher SG is usually more shape-retentive and lasts longer. It says nothing about how quickly a cushion dries.
Can cushions with quick dry foam always stay outside?
They can cope with a shower better than cushions with regular foam, but the cover is still fabric that can collect dirt, algae and mould. Store them upright or let them dry after use, and keep them over winter in a shed, garage or cushion box.
How can I tell whether an outdoor cushion has quick dry foam?
Check the filling in the product information. If it says quick dry foam, quick-drying foam or reticulated foam, it is quick-drying foam. If it only states an SG value, foam flakes or fibre fill, assume a regular filling. Note: "quick-drying" in relation to the fabric refers to the cover, not the filling.
Which is better: quick dry foam or flakes with fibre fill?
It depends on how you use them. Quick dry foam is shape-retentive and dries quickly, making it suitable for cushions that often stay outside. A mix of foam flakes and fibre fill feels softer and moulds to your body, but it holds more moisture and can clump over time. For cushions that you store away after use, that is not a problem.
