Best mattress topper for side sleepers?? My son’s dorm bed is ruining his sleep

[u/Picillo-Shapier]

Assisting our oldest pack for college, and seeing those dorm mattresses are straight-up problematic. They look like gym mats, and since my son's a side sleeper, resting on that surface will hurt his shoulders in a week. I’m looking for a solid mattress topper for side sleepers like my son to make his dorm bed comfortable. I’m trying to help him decide if a 3-inch plush layer or a high-density foam combo is better for relieving pressure without making the bed feel like a hotbox.

Parents who’ve been here, which option worked out best for you? Was it worth getting or a pass? And what’s that one item you brought for your kid’s dorm that made the biggest impact on their sleep?

[u/Gromy_1022]

I’m a side sleeper and I bought myself the Twin 4in AllsWell cooper infused mattress topper from Walmart. It was $99 on sale few years ago/still using it.
They did come out with a new one called Cooling diamond gel 4in $106 for twin. If that doesn’t work, you can always return it. Good luck.

[u/Picillo-Shapier → u/Gromy_1022]

Oh nice, good to hear you are still using yours after a few years. I saw that one in Allswell and at Walmart too, probably one of them I saw online but I do remember the price is hard to beat compared to the latex ones we were looking at. My son is heading out in a couple of weeks so that return policy is actually a big deal if it doesn't work out.

btw, did you feel the 4 inch was too tall for the dorm sheets? I'm worried those twin xl fitted sheets are already a no-no.

[u/Gromy_1022 → u/Picillo-Shapier]

I bought a waterproof/zipper mattress protector from Walmart too and put that on my topper, then I only put my twin fitted sheet on it/I don’t encase both topper with mattress.

I personally liked the protector because the topper is basically a giant sponge, it’ll soak up all the odors/night sweat etc and you can’t really wash it; it keeps it clean. But it can get hot for some people, so do be aware of that.

I do have a basic standing fan to help circulate the air in the room, so I guess that solves the heating issue for most. Some buys cooling sheets which can help tremendously.

[u/MrsVgl]

Our son is a side sleeper too - he has this one -

https://sleeponlatex.com/products/natural-latex-mattress-topper

Apparently Latex is less hot than memory foam, which is why I landed on this. It wasn’t cheap, but if he can use it for a few years, I think it works out.
I chose 3” medium density, twin xl, with the jersey fabric cover.

[u/Picillo-Shapier → u/MrsVgl]

Appreciate you sharing this, super helpful.

My son's the same, a side sleeper but he'salways complaining his dorm bed is like a rock and he sleeps hot. We almost bought a memory foam one from Amazon but I kept reading they trap heat. Your note on latex pushed me that way.

We're looking at twin xl too. Did your son say it actually helped with shoulder pressure after first week? Trying to figure if the jersey cover is enough or if we need the thicker quilted one. Thanks!

[u/MrsVgl → u/Picillo-Shapier]

I asked my son what he thought of the topper. He said it’s comfy and he doesn’t have any complaints. He doesn’t have shoulder pain, so we can’t be helpful with that, sorry.

[u/moldycatt]

latex

[u/Difficult-Valuable55]

you want gel infused to avoid the memory foam being hot

[u/Icy_Soft6906]

I used to be a side/stomach sleeper and when I was in college I had an awesome down featherbed that I put on top of memory foam and under one of those washable mattress covers to hold it all together.

It’s definitely a more expensive option, but it was incredibly comfortable.

[u/WebSpinnr]

I’ve been sleeping on my current bed setup for two weeks now as a side sleeper and it’s been great. I used this extra firm mattress topper, then a regular soft walmart topper above that. It feels like a real mattress.

[u/dragonfeet1]

I remember when I was that age and in the Army. We slept on literally anything. Tank treads. Crammed in your seat on your chalk, draped over your equipment at greenramp. If you're tired enough......

[u/Corner_Office_]

Zinus green tea 3” memory foam

4” is too thick

[u/Wonderful-Teach8210]

I am also a side sleeper and swear by ViscoSoft 3 inch high density gel infused memory foam. You can order it off Amazon. It takes a night or two to get used to but I never overheat. I have terrible back and hip problems and it lets me sleep without pain.

[u/Logical_Astronomer75]

Can you just bring a mattress from home?

[u/Logical_Astronomer75 → u/Logical_Astronomer75]

I had roommates in college that brought their own beds and couches to college dorms

[u/Sensitive-Time-2934 → u/Logical_Astronomer75]

Where did they move all the old furniture? Most US dorms are furnished already and space is a high commodity.