The TOPPER BOOK (annual) 1986

Product Information

Toppers are different from mattress protectors, which are very thin and solely designed to safeguard your mattress against spills, stains, dust, and other contaminants. However, toppers can help preserve your bed’s surface and prevent the comfort layer material from wearing out. This can extend the overall lifespan of your mattress.

The jury is split on the topper's breathability claims, with one tester finding they slept cooler, but other self-described 'hot sleepers' saying they didn't notice much relief. However, the antislip base and straps are well worth a mention. Most mattress toppers are attached by straps, but in our experience, they're prone to pinging off. The Simba Hybrid Topper straps stayed firm in our testing, but even if they hadn't, the topper was going nowhere thanks to its anti-slip base. Although it’s made from 100% polyester, it’s actually made up of two layers – the top one being extra soft, while the core provides the firmness. So there’s no need to worry about the kind of sponginess that can leave you feeling suffocated and we found it’s particularly good if you’re prone to aches and pains. The elastic straps keep it secure on the bed and it’s nice and warm (a good job as you can’t use an electric blanket with it), although that can be a downside if you get clammy at night.

In March 2012, the Royal Mail launched a special stamp collection to celebrate Britain's rich comic book history. [1] The collection featured The Beano, The Dandy, Eagle, The Topper, Roy of the Rovers, Bunty, Buster, Valiant, Twinkle and 2000 AD. The Silk & Snow Organic Mattress Topper is made entirely from certified organic materials. With two firmness levels to choose from, many sleepers on our testing team were able to find a model that felt comfortable and supportive. It’s also important to distinguish between toppers and Euro-top or pillow-top covers. A pillow-top is a layer of padding sewn into the sleep surface of a mattress, leaving a small gap separating it from the bed’s comfort layer. A Euro-top is also sewn into the mattress surface, but its edges are flush with the comfort layer to create a more uniform appearance. A few other familiar benefits that come with the topper are a machine washable cover and a 100-night trial period that gives you plenty of time to try the topper out before you decide whether or not you want to commit to it. What’s more, thanks to Emma’s regular promotional sales, you will rarely have to pay full price for it.

This aside, the Emma Flip Topper did add a good degree of comfort to a rather rigid and slightly bumpy mattress, so we have to give it credit for that. The only issue we had was that the topper we tested (a size double) didn’t quite cover the full surface area of our mattress. This doesn’t impact its comfort greatly, but it does slightly undermine the topper’s edge support.Cooling Properties:As is the case with mattresses, some mattress toppers bottle in body heat and sleep somewhat warm as a result. Memory foam, polyfoam, and non-ventilated latex tend to trap more heat than other topper materials, such as down and feathers or wool. Topper softness can also play a role in temperature regulation. If you sink too deeply into a topper, this can restrict surface airflow and make you feel too warm.

It’s important to bear in mind that a topper isn’t a fix-all solution. If a mattress is on its last legs and is starting to sag, a topper won’t do you any favours. Similarly if your mattress feels too soft, plonking a mattress topper down on it will likely only make it softer. What different fillings should I look out for? Our review team has tested out some of the bestselling mattress toppers on the market to find out if they live up to their claims. We've put Simba, Panda, Emma, Woolroom, Silentnight and a whole host more brands through their paces to find our top recommendations. Synthetic: For the most part, synthetic is a popular budget option: microfibre and hollowfibre toppers can be a comfortable, affordable and vegan-friendly alternative to wool and down. They’re also relatively easy to wash and dry. What else should I consider? verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Unlike most other comics at the time, which were half tabloid size, the Topper was for many years full tabloid. It changed to A4 in 1980, one year before The Beezer.The topper contains 2 inches of memory foam. This material conforms closely to the body, but shouldn’t trap too much heat due to small perforations intended to promote airflow and an infusion of cooling gel that dissipates body heat. A cotton cover encases the foam. You may remove and machine-wash the cover as needed. Each corner is equipped with an adjustable strap for securing the topper to your sleep surface, which prevents it from shifting when you change sleep positions during the night.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, with the expansion of children's television and video games taking a greater share of children's time, sales of comics began to fall. So D. C. Thomson decided to modernise the Topper, relaunching it as Topper '89 from February 1989. Even the very best cooling mattress toppers aren't going to actively cool down your sleep surface and make it feel like climbing into a fridge – and who hasn't considered that solution on a far-too-hot night mid-heatwave?! (NB. This definitely isn't recommended). A mattress topper can be an affordable sleep solution in a number of instances. If your mattress is getting a bit old and worn, or it just feels too firm, a topper can provide a comfort layer to extend its life. It’s also a good way of protecting a new mattress from wear and tear, though we also recommend buying a mattress protector. Though we’ve called this a “cooling mattress topper”, no topper will work to actively cool you down throughout the night. But as silk can help to regulate body temperature, it’s a better option than memory foam for those who get too hot during the night. We like the fact that this topper also has an added bottom chamber that’s filled with a generous layer of gently supportive microfibre – the upshot of which is that it’s much comfier than many of the thinner pure silk toppers available. The elastic straps keep it firmly in place, too. And as you are much less likely to perspire when sleeping on silk, the silk filling remains free from dust mites – great for allergy sufferers, who will also be pleased to learn that silk is naturally hypoallergenic.

The Graphite topper was rated medium soft (4) by our testers, but it didn’t sink too much for sleepers who weigh up to 230 pounds. With a 3-inch profile, the topper offers substantial plushness for mattress surfaces that are overly firm or worn. The topper absorbs most motion, which may be helpful for co-sleepers who frequently wake each other up with movement at night. An infusion of graphite helps offset some of the foam’s heat-absorbing properties, so the topper performed well in our temperature neutrality tests. After reviewing the topper attributes listed above to determine which qualities are most important, you’ll be ready to choose a mattress topper based on its material composition. Every topper material carries different pros and cons related to pressure relief, durability, temperature neutrality, and other performance areas. If however your mattress is just a little past its best, or you are planning on getting a replacement in the next couple of years, then a mattress topper is an affordable way to improve your sleep without the full commitment and expense. Do I need a mattress topper or a protector? The topper is a good option for couples, as well. Our motion isolation tests showed that the foam absorbs most movement to greatly reduce motion transfer, and the topper itself is completely silent. This can minimize sleep disruptions for people who tend to wake up when their sleep partner changes positions or gets in and out of bed. Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at the pros and cons of different mattress materials, explore the various benefits of using a topper, and answer a few frequently asked questions about these products. What to Consider When Purchasing a Mattress Topper