| An important question I get from my trampoline | | | | nice bonus. Personally, I have found that although |
| owning neighbors about after they owned their | | | | thicker is better, a padding of ¾ inches is |
| trampoline for a year is, "My pads are all worn out. | | | | definitely more than enough. |
| How do I replace them?" Replacing a pad is as easy | | | | Another factor in choosing the right pads, is the |
| as placing an order on the internet. Most trampoline | | | | material the pad cover is made of. Trampoline safety |
| owners neglect the fact that a trampoline is a large | | | | pads come in two material types, PVC (Polyvinyl |
| piece of equipment that requires maintenance. Not as | | | | Chloride) and PE (Polyethylene). PVC is the same |
| much maintenance as a pool, per say, but it does | | | | material you will find in a sign banner. It is made to |
| take some special care. Replacing pads and springs | | | | withstand UV rays and weather damage much better |
| from time to time is a common occurrence. | | | | than PE. PE is what you get when you buy a plastic |
| In order to save you some reading, I more or less | | | | tarp. Now, PE is much cheaper than PVC but does |
| summed up this article at the bottom. If you are | | | | not last as long in the sun. I can not advocate for |
| looking for in depth information, please read on! | | | | either here. There are time when I have ordered a |
| The pads of the trampoline are very important for | | | | PE pad because I would just like to save on cost. I |
| safety reasons. Trampoline injuries can occur when | | | | do have to replace the pad more often, but the |
| the jumper falls out of the mat and onto the frame. | | | | lower cost can justify having to replace the pad. I |
| Although many such injuries result in bruises and | | | | do, however, tend to buy more PVC pads than not. I |
| scrapes, a small fraction of injuries can result in | | | | have found that PVC just looks a lot nicer. |
| broken and fractured bones. A proper safety pad | | | | A small factor in deciding the right trampoline is how |
| can prevent these sorts of injuries. | | | | the pad straps on to your trampoline. I have seen |
| The leading factor of choosing a trampoline pad is | | | | several different ways that companies will tackle this, |
| your spring size. Most of the best trampolines use | | | | from Velcro straps, to clip straps, to shoe string |
| springs sizes at 8.5 inches. If you own a trampoline | | | | straps. But my favorite is the thick elastic band strap. |
| with 8.5" springs, you will need a trampoline safety | | | | These have been quite sturdy and have never failed |
| pad that is 13 inches in width. The width of the pad | | | | me. The plastic clip kind has always found a way to |
| will cover the pad and any gaps in the springs, | | | | break, and the velcro strap is just not strong enough. |
| preventing jumpers from slipping through the gaps. | | | | Bottom Line: |
| Although the width is a leading factor in choosing the | | | | If you have a nice trampoline with 8.5" springs you |
| right pad, it is not certainly the most important. The | | | | will have to buy a pad that is 13" in width. If you |
| thickness of the pad covering the frame is arguably | | | | have a trampoline with 7" or smaller springs you will |
| the most important part for safety. Generally, some | | | | do well with any pad. The thicker the pad is better |
| pads will come thicker at the frame, but taper off to | | | | of course and as for the type of material, PE |
| a thinner foam insert at the springs. The truth is, you | | | | (Polyethylene - cheaper and replace more often) and |
| don't really need very thick pads where the springs | | | | PVC (Polyvinyle Chloride - more expensive, replace |
| are. The pad is supposed to protect the user from | | | | less often, and looks better) is completely at your |
| falling through the springs and not impact. That being | | | | discretion. |
| said, having a thick padding at the springs is a very | | | | |