I was looking for a mattress topper because I sleep on my side and back and have found that my current mattress has been causing pain in my hips in shoulder as well as contributing to ongoing back problems. I can't afford a new mattress right now, so wanted to find something that would help out and decided to look into gel foam mattresses.The topper arrived yesterday and while I normally like to wait a little bit before writing a review, I am so pleased I feel I need to write something now.My partner and I searched for weeks both online and in various stores. After much debating, we decided to go with this product because of its good price point and other reviews.The good:* The packaging was fantastic. The topper was already inside the cover, folded in half lengthwise and rolled, covered in plastic with a plastic band around to keep it tight.* I got exactly what I ordered. Given some of the stories I've read about people ordering toppers and not receiving what was advertised, I was very happy that this product is exactly what it says it is.* It is very comfortable without being overly thick. We debated a long time regarding which thickness to get. My girlfriend prefers a bit softer sleep surface than I, but we decided this was the best thickness for both of us. It was a great choice. Any thicker and I don't think it would be comfortable enough for me, any less thick and I don't think it would be comfortable enough.* Appears to be constructed of quality materials. I'll update this review if time proves me wrong.* It covered my mattress almost perfectly. I had concerns reading other reviews of other toppers that this might be too short or too narrow, but it is almost exactly spot on the same size as my mattress if not a shade longer and wider.The bad:* There is an odor to it. We did not find it to be offensive and were able to sleep on it just fine, but I understand how someone could be put off by it.* It's heavy. Not necessarily a "bad" per se, but I want to make sure people understand the heft of this product. I bought the king size and although I was able to get it on the bed myself, it really should have been a two-person job.* I think "Cool Gel" is more marketing term than reality. I really can't blame Abripedic for that - it's the industry term for the product - but don't think this product is going to actually cool you down. It is just a cooler foam than standard memory foam.I love it! First things first: this is 2.5" thick and 3" density. Take a minute to understand the difference between thickness and density: density is how "tight" the foam cells are, and has nothing to do with thickness. The denser the foam, the firmer the topper! I wanted a relatively firm (dense) foam, but I didn't want a terribly thick topper; the thickness of the pad makes it harder to climb onto the bed! So, this pad comes in at a reasonable thickness - I felt 2" was too thin to really do much good.The Abripedic arrived on time and quite well packed. The box is about 30" tall and about 12" square (queen size topper). Sealed in a plastic bag, the topper was easy to unpack. I unpacked the topper first thing the morning after it arrived to allow it all day to air out. I did not notice ANY odor. The topper has a very very nice removable and washable cover - a definite plus! When initially placed on the bed, there was a definite "hump" in the middle - where the topper had been folded. Over the course of the day, it flattened out nicely. By evening, I was ready to make the bed. My mattress cover and sheets went over the pad perfectly (the sheets fit better now than they did without the topper)! The hump was slightly visible when I made the bed, but was totally flat shortly thereafter.I have back and shoulder problems, and sleeping can be a nightmare, so I was totally pleased to finally get a great night sleep! I like to sleep on my side or stomach, but also like to read in bed. I found this topper very comfortable while laying on my back to read. I was even more comfy on my side, and was totally surprised that I could actually sleep on my stomach (torn rotator cuff had prevented this for several months). I've had this a couple weeks now, and the absolute BEST night's sleep I've had in a long time!We needed a Mattress Topper and selected this one. One of our selection Criteria was that 2" Thickness was a Minimum and 3" might be too much. This one at 2.5" seemed just right and the price was not the cheapest and not the most expensive. The first night after we put it on top of our mattress I slept for ten hours and nothing hurt when I got up.I took off one star because of the initial smell upon opening. Even with letting it air out for a day with open windows and fans on, the matress seemed to retain the smell for a few days (maybe a week).After opening, the matress took only a few hours to take shape. I love that it has a removable washable pad.As far as comfort goes, I really enjoy it. It was purchased to put on a brand new matress that I found to be too firm. The pad is soft with just the right amount of firmness. I would recommend this product.Yes, it does have an odor. Mine is not too offensive and it has diminished more each day. It is a comfortable topper and it does not make me too warm. This seems to be a concern for a lot of people (it was for me also). I bought the twin size to go on my twin XL bed because I didn't want to pay so much more for 5" of topper. I think that I made a good choice. The topper fits well to the sides and the few inches at the head of the bed are covered by pillows. Follow the directions (air for 48 hours) and it expands very well. I like it!This mattress topper provides just the right amount of softness I was looking for. We have it on a SleepNumber bed and it doesn't interfere with the firmness aspect that we set for ourselves, it just provides a little softer feel to the mattress surface. I didn't give it 5 stars because it still traps heat and makes it a little warmer than what I like when I sleep, but that's just me.This mattress topper brought back a good nights sleep. Our king sized mattress is only 5 years old but was causing us back, neck, and hip pain because it is too hard. The topper relieves the pressure points and we now have pain free mornings. It is so comfortable that I don't want to get out of bed! I would've given it 5 stars but it has an odd odor that is lingering even after 3 weeks. I hope it dissipates over time.Very comfortable, but extremely HOT. Now I have to buy a cooling pad to decrease the geat.Have not had it long enough to know if shape will hold.