<p>Any parents or students out there that could provide some bed topper feedback and or brand/type recommendations? A quick Google scan shows quite a variety available. </p>
<p>Last year we set DS up with just normal bedding, no "topper" (extra cushion layer). He says he thinks he'd sleep better next year with a topper. Now that we know he'll have decent storage options next summer, I'm game to try that. </p>
<p>It seemed timely to start this thread now and gather info. After the 2011 graduation hoopla is over, there will be families starting to think "dorm shopping". Or... what a nice grad gift idea for grandparents etc.</p>
<p>I’m not an expert, but I’d recommend the SERTA (4 inch) toppers. Have them on every bed in my home and they’re really incredible ! </p>
<p>They work WONDERS on older mattresses. Will be purchasing one for my son’s dorm room soon. *Less than 4 inches- not a whole lot of difference in comfort. </p>
<p>The only issue I see in regards to your future purchase, is that many dorm beds are twin-size extra long. SERTA (as well as many other topper brands) seem not to sell the twin-extra long toppers at the usual larger retail outlets. Since you’re starting early, perhaps you’ll find the extra long size -if that’s the size your DS will need? </p>
<p>Last year I bought a sofa bed, and on the recommendation of the sales lady, I didn’t upgrade the mattress and instead bought a memory foam mattress topper. I found it at Home Goods and it was about $60 for queen size. I had to sleep on that sofa bed a few times and it is very comfortable! The mattress topper folds right in with the couch so we don’t need to store it separately.</p>
<p>I bought two more in twin sizes for my D’s who were heading to college and they love them. I later saw, at Target, quite a variety of mattress toppers in quite a variety of prices. If it was for me, I would stick with that more expensive memory foam one I had found at Home Goods. Then again, both my D’s will be moving off campus and will be getting larger beds. We will save one of their old twin size toppers for their younger sister and give the other one to a friend.</p>
<p>Purchased this for son two years ago wehn he went off to college: Soft Sleeper 5.5 Twin XL 2 inch Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress Pad, Bed Topper. He finds it very comfortable.</p>
<p>I got it for $45 with free shipping (maybe because of Amazon Prime) from Amazon.</p>
<p>I agree with getting a 2" or 3" memory foam topper, making sure that it is an XL length, if that in fact is the size of the dorm bed. Do not buy the egg-crate foam type of topper. While inexpensive, these do not make much of a difference and flatten out over time.</p>
<p>My daughter got a Therapedic memory foam mattress topper from Bed, Bath, and Beyond which she says is super comfortable. It comes in twin extra-long. I brought a 40% off coupon from home and we purchased it at a BB&B near her school, since she was flying in. She’s even used it on the floor to accommodate overnight guests.</p>
<p>We also got a twin extra-long Therapedic memory foam mattress topper from Bed Bath and Beyond. Apparently, most dorm beds are extra-long. It has worked really well. Son said that it had slight chemical odor when he unwrapped it, but let it air while he unpacked his other stuff, then reported that the smell went away.</p>
<p>I bought only a 1.5 inch memory foam topper for my son from Kohls. He said it made a difference. Would have bought a thicker one but his bed was lofted and already he was already almost touching the ceiling…did anyone else have this problem?</p>
<p>Does the topper go under or over the mattress pad? You need one of those too, right? Then fitted sheet goes over the topper?
I almost ordered one, but they say you have to unpack it within 48 hours. Since S will probably be flying, I didn’t want to have to package it back up.</p>
<p>I bought the memory foam toppers at BJ’s this Xmas for my 2 oldest - XL for the one in the college dorm, and normal twin for the one using a mattress from home. They both LOVE them - wish I had done it years ago for my D that just graduated. I ordered them on-line and shipping was included.</p>
<p>Bought my S one from Costco online, shipped for free. Great quality. The gel/foam thing is in a sheet case covering (like a mattress pad but not padded). The size is not an XL but it fit well enough. Costco’s ones are good quality so not as cheap as dime-store ones, but less expensive than counterparts at the Bed/Bath shops. It makes my son very happy as he has one at home and he missed it.</p>
<p>We got D one of the egg crate toppers (which she’s used to at home) and covered it with one of the bed bug mattress covers. She said it was just fine. We didn’t worry about Twin xl vs. regular twin, since she’s only 5’4" and her feet don’t reach the end anyway :)</p>
<p>We brought the topper back but ended up pitching the mattress cover. Will buy a new one before move in. Make sure you get the allergen one that also mentions keeping bed bugs out. My own personal knee jerk fear…</p>
<p>Yeah, the mattress pad goes over the topper. Hopefully the corners are deep enough to cover the mattress plus the topper. Usually, that works fine, because most college mattresses are not terribly thick to begin with.</p>
<p>One of the big decisions is if you want a memory foam or “eggcrate” style foam. The memory foam is what you’ll see in mattresses, and some people absolutely love it. I tend not to like it since it gets pretty warm and I felt it didn’t compress nearly as comfortable. I bought one similar to the kinds you’ll see if you search “convoluted foam” on Amazon and love it (and have used it for years now).</p>
<p>i have a question:
if I wanted to keep bugs/ head lice etc away from my kid who will be a freshmen this Fall, & wanted “no contact” w/ the old mattress,
do I need to wrap up the old mattress w/ some kind of plastic bag?
if so, where can I buy these mattress plastic? Like the kind that wraps up a new mattress from the store.
And then, i will place the topper & cover & bed sheets.
thanks!!!</p>
<p>I wondered about that too, but after investigating realized that if there bed bugs in the mattress, there are probably bed bugs all over the room too (they hide in headboards, plugs etc.) When your freshman moves in, take a very good look at the mattress to make sure you don’t see any signs of bugs, red droppings etc. If you don’t then just try not to worry and make the bed. If your freshman complains of getting bites, have him/her report it to their RA and let them handle it…just make sure your freshman doesn’t bring anything (backpack etc.) home when he/she visits until it is taken care of. Make sure if you stay in any hotels when traveling you check everything so you don’t bring anything home either! Yuch…my personal fear!!!</p>
<p>I am afraid that head lice are hiding in the dorm room’s old mattress
because by the time you see them on your kid’s hair…oh my…that IS too late!</p>
<p>does anyone know if the college fumigate or disinfect all the mattress & rooms or do some sort of cleaning before releasing them to new students?THANKS!!!</p>
<p>My d would like a 3" topper, but I think that gets BIG - I have a hard time understanding how she’ll store it each summer. (we will not be transporting her by car back and forth)</p>
<p>Are your students able to refold the mattress topper back into its original plastic case, so it is fairly compact?</p>