<p>OK, this question will confirm that I am a newbie UR mom slowly going over the edge as next Thursday approaches! I have read all the advice in the What to Take to College threads, and I have questions re: the mattress toppers. I purchased two kinds, and don't know which to keep. I found a 3 inch memory foam one at Bed Bath and Beyond, and a cheaper 1 1/2 inch one at Target ("comfy" foam not memory foam). What I have read about the memory foam topper is that is smells for a while, and that it can be hot, but that the heat is mitigated by the cotton cover and even further by a mattress cover. I wonder if the 1 1/2 inch one will really do much at all comfort wise. So, has anyone had experience with either type? If I open the memory foam one to allow it to air here at home I assume I will be stuffing a Twin XL topper in the car as I will no longer be able to roll it up? If you have a 15 inch mattress depth mattress pad will it fit over the topper, or does the topper sit on top of the mattress pad?</p>
<p>I know I sound like a weirdo and my son is shaking his head as I write this and just said "are you really writing about mattress toppers?"!!!</p>
<p>Hysterical! There should be a mom’s only thread, that kids can’t see! The real issue is that it is difficult to get the stuff to fit over the 3 inch topper. But if you’re like me and assume your son will never change his sheets after you leave, no worries!</p>
<p>There is no problem with the extra long twin sheets and a topper of any thickness because the actual mattresses aren’t very thick. And aren’t very comfortable. </p>
<p>BTW, my kid needs a foam topper because of a hip injury. Memory foam is useful. I think the regular foam toppers don’t do much.</p>
<p>D2 used a 1" memory foam topper from Target and was envied by her friends. Mattresses in the dorms are hard. (Because I imagine a very firm mattress is more durable? Or maybe just costs less?) Even a little bit of padding helps.</p>
<p>She used a mattress pad over the topper and washed her sheets…er…every 4 or so weeks. Her topper didn’t smell bad even after 4 years of use. (It discolored, but didn’t smell.) She chucked it when she was moving out of the dorms after graduation because it was too bulky to ship home (we live across the country from Rochester) and really who wants a used, stained mattress topper?</p>
<p>The mattress pad over the topper help avoid the memory foam being too warm issue.</p>
<p>To be honest, I am not a big fan of memory foam. Too claustophobic.<br>
I bought my son a 3 inch fiber bed from BBBY and have an older eggcrate I figured I would bring along which he can try or give to someone else. BTW, if you use an eggcrate, put the fingers down so the top is smooth.</p>