Night Elf Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 There is a HUGE price range on these things. How do I know which one to buy or how much to spend? Is it a case of you get what you pay for? All I know is I want a fitted mattress pad. Any recommendations? I need a twin XL. Quote
Pawz4me Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 For DS I skipped the mattress pad and instead bought a medium price range memory foam topper that came with a cover that encased it completely. His dorm mattresses were covered in heavy plastic. A nonslip (mesh like) rug pad placed between the mattress and the memory foam pad kept it from sliding around. (I know that doesn't answer what you asked. But it's something else to consider.) 2 Quote
Guest Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 Well, I'm not sure, but I bought one that was not especially expensive. We were buying such a lot of stuff for college, I'm not worried about getting a top-of-the-line anything. It only needs to last for four or five years, if it even needs to last that long. 1 Quote
Pippen Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 (edited) For DS I skipped the mattress pad and instead bought a medium price range memory foam topper that came with a cover that encased it completely. His dorm mattresses were covered in heavy plastic. A nonslip (mesh like) rug pad placed between the mattress and the memory foam pad kept it from sliding around. (I know that doesn't answer what you asked. But it's something else to consider.) I also went this route, because so many families said their kids used the memory foam toppers. The dorm required a complete mattress encasement. The first cover I bought only went over the top, so check on that before buying. I bought this one, which held up well, only I'm sure I paid less than this one shows. https://www.amazon.com/SafeRest-Waterproof-Certified-Zippered-Encasement/dp/B004VMYD92/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1467549733&sr=1-3&keywords=SafeRest+Premium+Waterproof+Lab+Certified+Bed+Bug+Proof+Zippered+Mattress+Encasement plus a cover. https://www.amazon.com/SafeRest-Hypoallergenic-Waterproof-Mattress-Protector/dp/B003PWNH4Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467455167&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=saferest+mattress+protector&psc=1 After much research, I settled on this mattress topper. It has great reviews and I'd add mine, but I can't. He got to campus and decided his dorm mattress was fine, so he never used it. :glare: https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Innovations-2-Inch-Memory-Mattress/dp/B002NEG15E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467455226&sr=8-3&keywords=sleep+innovations+topper Edited July 3, 2016 by Pippen Quote
Night Elf Posted July 2, 2016 Author Posted July 2, 2016 I figure a fitted mattress pad would be easier to deal with since it's like a fitted sheet and can be folded up. I have a memory foam topper for my double bed and it can't be folded. I thought that was what all toppers were, just a thick pad that laid on top of the mattress with the fitted sheet around it to hold it in place. I don't know how moving out in the spring works. I just don't want to be wrestling with a thick pad I can't fold and put into a bag. Quote
TechWife Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 DS has a memory foam topper and he said it was really great. Be sure to still get a mattress cover though to go over it. Quote
zoobie Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 I figure a fitted mattress pad would be easier to deal with since it's like a fitted sheet and can be folded up. I have a memory foam topper for my double bed and it can't be folded. I thought that was what all toppers were, just a thick pad that laid on top of the mattress with the fitted sheet around it to hold it in place. I don't know how moving out in the spring works. I just don't want to be wrestling with a thick pad I can't fold and put into a bag. You roll it up and stuff it in a big trash bag. I moved in and out alone 500 years ago. :) 1 Quote
gardenmom5 Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 you do get what you pay for. I'd get a nice quality foam twin xl - then an average actual fitted mattress pad Quote
Pippen Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 I figure a fitted mattress pad would be easier to deal with since it's like a fitted sheet and can be folded up. I have a memory foam topper for my double bed and it can't be folded. I thought that was what all toppers were, just a thick pad that laid on top of the mattress with the fitted sheet around it to hold it in place. I don't know how moving out in the spring works. I just don't want to be wrestling with a thick pad I can't fold and put into a bag. Is this you that's going to be sleeping on the dorm bed? If it's a college student, I wouldn't worry about wrestling the mattress pad. That will be their job. 1 Quote
Vida Winter Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 Dorm beds are like sleeping on the floor. I'd get something thick and soft like a memory foam topper and then a deep mattress pad to go over all of it. There are probably less expensive versions at WMart. I slept in my dd's dorm bed once with a soft padded mattress topper and it was awful. Get the memory foam. 1 Quote
AK_Mom4 Posted July 2, 2016 Posted July 2, 2016 We bought this one for DS20 the year he was in the dorm https://www.amazon.com/DreamFoam-Swirl-Memory-Foam-Topper/dp/B019J9AR4Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467476990&sr=8-3&keywords=xl+memory+foam+twin I wondered because it was just 2" thick, but he is not a heavy kid and said it was amazing comfortable compared to the rock-hard dorm mattress. I would buy it again Quote
Suzanne in ABQ Posted July 3, 2016 Posted July 3, 2016 I'd get something padded and breathable. The mattress itself will likely be covered with vinyl, which won't give/stretch at all. It will be slippery and noisy. I'd get the memory foam covered in a washable cover, then a quilted, cotton type pad to wrap around the whole thing. Quote
Night Elf Posted July 3, 2016 Author Posted July 3, 2016 Is this you that's going to be sleeping on the dorm bed? If it's a college student, I wouldn't worry about wrestling the mattress pad. That will be their job. This is for my dd. We'll be helping her move in and out this year and also she doesn't drive so she won't be doing any of this on her own. Quote
Pippen Posted July 3, 2016 Posted July 3, 2016 This is for my dd. We'll be helping her move in and out this year and also she doesn't drive so she won't be doing any of this on her own. Certainly get what works for you, but as long as you have car space, moving a thicker foam pad around shouldn't be a problem. A foam pad can be rolled up and put in a trash bag, large pillow case, laundry hamper, kept together with straps, etc. Many dorms have move-in help, and for moving out we bring one of those wheeled thingies: http://www.lowes.com/pd/Cosco-Steel-Folding-Hand-Truck/50294473 Quote
Night Elf Posted July 3, 2016 Author Posted July 3, 2016 Certainly get what works for you, but as long as you have car space, moving a thicker foam pad around shouldn't be a problem. A foam pad can be rolled up and put in a trash bag, large pillow case, laundry hamper, kept together with straps, etc. Many dorms have move-in help, and for moving out we bring one of those wheeled thingies: http://www.lowes.com/pd/Cosco-Steel-Folding-Hand-Truck/50294473 Oh my! Her school has videos and pictures of move in day and it's a hot mess! Long lines of cars. Long lines of getting into the building. Long lines waiting for the elevators. And this is with staggered arrival times from Aug. 7th through early morning Aug. 11th, which I find hard to believe because the 11th is the first day of classes. Move in is until 7:00pm and they say that late afternoon or early evening is generally the best time to arrive. Quote
Night Elf Posted July 4, 2016 Author Posted July 4, 2016 Okay, topper and pad both. Thanks. I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Quote
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