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