Trampoline Pad Buying Guide:
Buying your the right trampoline pad is essential to the safety and well being of your family and so it is imperative that you purchase the right trampoline pad for your needs. We have put together this extensive guide to help you choose the right trampoline pad for you:
1st Point: Trampoline Pad Design:
- More than likely you are here reading this guide because your trampoline pads are worn out and have no protection in various places. This is due to the fact that a large number of manufacturers design their trampoline pads for the more budget end of the market. This means that the taper design is used, meaning that the trampoline pad is not protected all the way around the trampoline.
- Cell Pads – Ideally what you are looking for is the cell pad system, this is a firm surround of equal thickness that covers the entire frame. Most decent trampoline pads are designed with the memory foam system that keeps to the original form. In basic terms that just means that you won’t have lumpy and thin trampoline pads after a few months, but firm thick surrounds instead.
- Waterproof – It is essential that the trampoline pads are waterproof as they do sit outside year round battling the elements. Cheaper brands come with “EPE” trampoline pads. These are not waterproof! The epe design is made using a mesh material design that allows the water in and retains it, eventually rotting your trampoline pads from the inside out. Polyester or PVC are the 2 materials on the market at the moment that are both waterproof. Any decent trampoline brand such as Skyhigh Trampolines, Extreme 360 Trampolines and TP Trampolines are supplied with waterproof padding designed to withstand the elements.
- Material Feel – This is a relatively new factor that has come into consideration and the market has changed the trampoline designs to suit the need. More and more high end trampolines are being supplied with either the soft touch polyester trampoline pad material or the thick durable pvc material. These new soft touch materials make the whole trampoline experience a lot more comfortable for the younger ones and encourages them to use the trampoline more.
- Trampoline Pad Skirt – When purchasing your trampoline pad, always make sure that it comes with the skirt design. This skirt ensures that the trampoline pad is situated properly on the trampoline frame and it protects children from getting their hands near the springs.
- Easy Fit – A lot of the cheaper range trampoline pads are supplied with tie strings or just pull on design of the padding. These are easy to fit, but are not very durable when the wind picks up. Ideally the trampoline pads that are supplied with elasticated toggle loops that loop around the frame and through the pad are easy to fit and very durable.
2nd Point: Warranty:
- Warranty is a big factor when it comes to purchasing your trampoline pad. The fact is that in most cases your first set of trampoline pads have proved to be inadequate and you are looking to upgrade to a better style of trampoline pad that will last.
- Watch out for the 1 year warranty’s that are limited, to may trampoline company’s out there are still trying to push low grade trampoline pads onto the market that only last a few months at best. Try look out for decent trampoline pads that are thick, durable and made from a decent material and have a non limited warranty attached. Brands such as Skyhigh Trampolines, TP Trampolines and Supertramp Trampolines are all sold with decent warranties.
3rd Point: Size:
- This may seem an obvious one but it is very important to get the right size trampoline pad for your trampoline. When measuring your trampoline you measure it from the most outer edges and not the black mat in the middle. Below is a diagram on how to measure your trampoline:
4th Point: Price:
- Price is always an important factor when it comes to anything, but it is especially important when it comes to your children’s safety. Unfortunately the phrase “You get what you pay for” comes into play here as the budget end of the market of trampoline pads are very poor quality. We recommend spending that bit extra and going for a decent set of trampoline pads from a respectable retailer.