For those who like feeling as if they’re sleeping on a pile of feathers, or in a Ritz-Carlton penthouse suite, nothing will bring you there like a plush mattress topper. An extra (literal) layer of softness can be all the more necessary in this age of computer-generated comfort from bed-in-a-box brands like Casper and Tuft & Needle, which aim for a median level of comfort so that you don’t need to test out your mattress beforehand; you can feel relatively sure, based on their extensive research, that it will feel “fine.” But what if you want to feel not just fine, but like you’re sleeping on a cloud? If you’re looking for plush, there are two options: down and alternative down, which mostly feels the same, but has no allergy-causing potential and is often much more affordable. What makes one cushiony fabric really stand out from the pack is the way it distributes the fluff. While in some cases a down filler will shift or bunch up, the best toppers are able to maintain an even distribution throughout the night.
Others run into problems when the outer shell has a synthetic feel, which can seep through and affect overall softness, even when it’s beneath sheets. The happy medium here is Parachute, which is, of course, another sleep start-up. Instead of focusing on the mattress, though, Ariel Kaye founded Parachute two years ago to sell sheets and duvets she designed to mimic a hotel bed she first slept in during an Amalfi Coast getaway. I was turned on to the brand during an informal survey of interior-designer friends and bedding experts. Two of them, interior designer Danielle Arps and home-goods designer Aelfie Oudghiri, said that Parachute’s down-alternative fiber bed, filled with a hypoallergenic microfiber and released this August, was the most natural and luxurious-feeling, like a super-dense comforter from below. So I decided to try one out.I sunk right into the Parachute and it shaped to the form of my body, following my every move throughout the night. While a memory-foam topper might act similarly, this felt light, airy, and cool, instead of thick.
And there were no hot vibes like I get from foam. Kaye and her team developed this topper to solve the problem of down alternative often flattening quicker than real feather down; Parachute’s stands at three inches tall (they also offer a duck-feather option). And instead of bothersome synthetic coating, Parachute uses an Oeko-Tex certified cotton shell that’s both soft and free of synthetics and chemicals. But most important, the Parachute has a box construction with stitching throughout the topper to make sure that the fiber filling stays evenly distributed throughout any tossing and turning, so you’ll never have to shake it out. I felt myself gently melting and folding into the topper, while it enveloped me from beneath. I woke up feeling lighty sandwiched between layers of plushness.We’re all princesses frightened of sleeping on peas these days – how else to explain the rise in popularity of mattress toppers, that squidgy extra layer of comfort under your sheet, atop the bed.
Memory foam is popular, but complaints include its sometimes strong smell, plus it can retain heat so well that the bed boils. As an alternative, natural fillings are growing in popularity and availability, so I decided to undertake a home trial. Penrose Products alpaca mattress topper bedding set, £80 Fibre from alpacas is soft, luxurious and supremely comfy. Like silk, it moderates body temperature, and it is naturally hypoallergenic so great for allergy sufferers. Luxury alpaca mattress enhancer, £151.99 My daughter found it heavy at first, but is now adjusted and sleeps like Rip van Winkle. What more can you want? Ultimate microfibre topper with silk, £85 Dust mites hate silk, making it the ideal choice for anyone suffering allergies, and you can get toppers, duvets, pillow cases and bedding for the full experience. Silk filled mattress topper, £85 It’s also lightweight, and stays cool – perfect for women of a certain age.
Deluxe wool bedding set, £213.48 Sleeping with wool is said to provide up to 25 per cent more deep regenerative sleep (i.e. stage four REM sleep), over traditional down or synthetic bedding. Devon Duvets British wool mattress toppers, from £110 I found it soft underneath and naturally warm. The accompanying duvet was super snugly, but the pillows too firm for my taste. Hastens BJ top mattress, price on request This could be the perfect topper: thick, firm, and unbelievably cushioning. Horsehair is very durable (hence its use in traditional upholstery), and as the strands of hair are open-celled (or hollow), moisture passes through easily, wicking sweat away. Plus the individual hairs never squash into a permanent shape, which I felt gave it the promised added “spring”. READ: The best duvets for a good night's sleep READ: Which type of pillow should you buy? READ: The best TV stands10 Best Mattress Toppers | A good night's sleep is essential for everyone in order to stave off exhaustion at work and undue stress.
But if you have been experiencing back and neck pains overnight that make it impossible to get a decent rest, try one of these comfortable mattress toppers. They can rejuvenate any mattress and relieve many common pressure points. the best mattress topper on Amazon. Memory Foam Solutions Visco Pinzon Basics Overfilled Microplush the best topper for side sleepers won't slide around on air beds filling can clump together AmericanMade Foam Dream DNA free of harmful chemicals can help alleviate arthritis may make you hotter when sleeping Exceptional Sheets Ultra Plush same as the ones used in marriot hotels safe to put in the washer and dryer the side fabric tears sometimes reduces motion transfer to others includes a face mask and ear plugs has a strange odor when new Sleep Innovations Dual Layer looks like a regular mattress topper expands quickly after opening helps people with back disc issues