Do I need both a mattress pad and a mattress topper for my dorm?

I’m definitely going to be getting a mattress pad, but I keep sites suggesting I get a mattress topper as well for maximum comfort. Is this just a gimmick or will having the topper really ensure comfort?

My son’s have been in several different dorms over the years and one thing you can count on is the poor quality of the dorm mattresses. Save yourself and your back from the aches and pains. A mattress topper is a must.

Wait til you’re at school. You can always get one from Wal-Mart pretty cheap if you need one.

I bought my daughter both. Have you seen the plastic mattresses in the dorms? The more padding the better.

It’s best to have both.

Mattress topper makes the bed comfortable. Mattress pad ensures the bed is easily cleanable.

I have never had a mattress topper and I’ve never had a problem sleeping on dorm beds. I always slept on a firm mattress anyway, so maybe that’s part of it, but I was never a fan of mattress toppers. I just had the cheap mattress pad/protector from Target and was fine.

Def start with one and add the other if you need it.