Trampoline pads are considered as the most important part of a trampoline assembly. It plays an important role in maintaining safety of trampoline users. Trampoline or frame pads prevent the trampoline users from injuries and metal-contact abrasion. Tough trampoline pads will secure the straps in place and enough coverage is required over the metal springs and framework. Typical trampoline users may be children to enthusiast adults to professional gymnasts and acrobats.
Several factors usually considered to determine if the level of safety contributed by trampoline pads is good enough are the following: foam thickness, the fabrics used by the pads and pad coverage over the metal springs. It is important that the foam thickness will render the acceptable benchmark for shock absorption. There are occasions, especially for children during their play time to climb and jump on the trampoline two at a time, sometimes even more. During this “stress tests”, high-quality and high grade foam should exhibit satisfactory results.
Figure 1: Safety pads cover the coiled springs for added protection
Sometimes, too much water absorption and retention may lead to foam deterioration. Other times, the foam might turn into a soft mash. Occasionally, mildews may become present due to abundant availability of water inside the foam. All these will lead to constant pad replacement which may prove tp be costly than necessary. As such, to protect the foam, some trampoline pads are covered with stretchable vinyl to make it water-resistant. The foam itself should be of high grade that is soft enough for the jumpers yet hard enough to resist the most common forms of damage. The covering vinyl in turn is chemically treated to resist the sun’s harmful UV rays so that the vinyl does not melt even when exposed under the sun for long periods of time.
Enough pad coverage is required to prevent users from sustaining injuries brought by incidental exposing of metal springs. Good pad coverage includes the trampoline framework and the springs. The pad is attached to the metal frame using straps. Pad coverage does not only ensure the safety of jumpers but of the whole assembly itself. The pads should also fit properly and secure enough so that it will not turn or move along the trampoline’s perimeter by force.
There are at least three shapes available for trampoline pads: round, rectangle or square and octagon pads.
Due to constant use and exposure to natural elements, trampoline pads may have unavoidable wears and tears. Patching and repairs may only go for some time and that replacement may become inevitable.
When looking for replacement of trampoline pads, it is important to determine the quality without severely denting the pocket. Trampoline pads may come in different weight variants. The fabric that covers the foam needs to be moisture- and UV-resistant to resist fabric crinkling and it needs to be strong enough to hold the straps without perforation.
Trampoline users do not need to purchase the replacement pads from the trampoline manufacturers. There are generic brands that will prove sufficient to the requirements of jumpers.
Trampoline pads should last for more than two years during normal use. As such, when purchasing trampolines, make sure that it comes with adequate warranty coverage in case premature replacement becomes necessary. Keep in mind what are the limitations and capacity restrictions of the trampolines so that users would be able to enjoy the benefits of being airborne (even for an instant), for a much longer time.
