Trampoline Padding - What to look out for when buying a trampoline or replacement parts.
Trampoline padding is the one part of a trampoline, round or rectangle that sadly is infamous among consumers for being a trampoline part that deteriorates quickly - often resulting with the kids coming inside with little bits of colored PVC on their clothes or the color pieces fly around the yard making both the garden and trampoline quite tired and neglected.
We often hear from decerning customers who are often on their third set of trampoline pads who have found when buying replacement parts they have bought off a different company than where they bought the trampoline believing the padding would be better quality than the awful material they had originally, only to find the marketing speak got them and within a year they are back to base one still with little kids who need safety protection from padding and destroyed padding blowing around the garden.
They come to us and know what they don't want and are armed with the questions to ensure the third time they will get the genuine quality that they're looking for.
Our journey to designing quality affordable padding
When we first started selling trampolines over a decade ago; we too were guilty of not knowing enough quality questions to ask of our factory to ensure we were importing true quality parts on our trampolines. As it turned out we learned a lot and fast especially, given we were offering a 6-month warranty which was on the upper end of normal in the industry at the time.
- They were top and bottom the worst PE material, poorly sewn, thin 15mm foam, no drainage, awful short tie on elastic, and too narrow to adequately cover the mat stitching.
- It was a very costly experience for us.
- Our first batch of padding was deteriorating fast after only 3 months.
- It was embarrassing and humbling and we sorted it out one customer at a time and came through without a negative review or bad feedback.
From this experience, we made it our mission to improve our product.
It wasn't just a simple let's go for a higher grade thickness PVC. there are the variances of the grade of UV treatment and testing then there is also the woven material between the 2 layers of PVC that get fused together. The colors also play a significant role in what will last the longest in the Australian intense UV.
With all the learning of the past decade under our belt, we are now very confident in our padding, only having 2 pad warranty claims in the past year for missed stitching.
This is something we were very proud to go back to the factory with. This means not only have the materials and design improved greatly but so has their sewing and overall quality control.
What you will love about our GeeTramp padding
Our current PVC material has been in production for 4.5 years with no known actual UV damage mentioned or seen. (October 2014) There were further design changes and tweaks in 2015 and 2016.
Our efforts to make such high-quality pads came from committing to having our trampolines meet and exceed the Australian Standards of 2015.
Until this is mandatory for the industry, we will continue to see poor quality trampolines and parts in Australia.
I have been and looked at trampoline padding by our competitors while writing this article and I’m aghast at what I read they deem as quality especially after all the feedback and knowledge that is available on the poor reputation trampoline padding has. Most items I've looked at seeking comparisons won’t see a full year through for sure. Let alone be looking at 4-5 years as you would be with a set of GeeTramp replacement pads. I just wonder what the cost is to the environment when we continue to allow for such poor-quality products be sold to us with misguided and unethical marketing as if they are the answer to all our problems. Where is the integrity in selling?
We now offer pads to consumers that have all the issues that have been raised in the past addressed - including.
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PVC UV stability - for color, durability, and deterioration
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PVC material grade – PVC thickness, top and bottom of pads and weave spacing of woven mesh fused in middle. Finer the better
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Straps coming off - we now use reinforced brass eyelets with a bungee cord to keep secure
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Drainage - is enhanced by 2 things - tapered foam so most of the water will run off and not pool on the pads, then if any water were to seep into pad cavity via the seams, we have drainage holes on the underside.
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EPE Foam thickness - most suppliers go with 15-20mm foam ours is tapered from 25mm at the mat edge grading up to the super unmatched on any domestic garden trampoline - 50mm at the frame edge.
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Tapering of EPE foam – thicker foam and tapering prevents water pooling for extended periods of time, which does increase PVC deterioration.
- Expanded Polyethylene (EPE) - EPE Foam is a lightweight, semi-rigid, flexible closed cell foam designed and used for impact and shock absorption.
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Dangerous access to springs - Netting around the mat edge - this is our unique feature and this netting is to prevent fingers or toes having access to the springs under the padding. The netting is secured by effectively being buttonholed onto the mat which also works to prevent the pads from flapping around in the wind.
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Double stitching - was another measure of improvement that just helps to prolong the life of the padding at the seams which can be a point of weakness particularly on warm days if weight by kids standing with a foot either side of the stitching can cause the seam to break open due to the warm PVC being more soft and supple.
Our Instagram account follows hundreds of kids with our trampolines and we are very pleased to see that under excessive use and time that our padding is withstanding weather, loads of use and in some cases abuse.
You will be able to find padding that is much cheaper on competitor websites and on eBay but if you are serious about
- Keeping your kids safe
- Like your trampoline to look good for as long as possible
- Seek true value for money
- Mindful of the environment
You will be happiest with our padding and in the long run, it will likely be the cheapest option too.
Specifications:
- Color: chosen for UV stability
- Thickness - Mat edge: 25mm thick EPE Foam Insert
- Thickness - Frame edge: 50mm thick EPE foam Insert
- PVC: Extra durable 500D, .55mm on all surfaces (top and bottom)
- Width: 330mm rectangle
- Overlap skirt piece – 150mm
Here are some reviews from customers who have purchased padding in recent years with reference to quality
Lynne Lane 04/10/2018
I am extremely happy with the pad. It is such a high quality and the instructions were very well explained. Also such quick delivery too.
Thank you
Jaime Sciberras 04/11/2018
I would highly recommend Web and Warehouse.
If you want a great product and excellent customer service, then look no further.
It's really hard to find good customer service these days, so I would like to thank Julie for being kind and extremely helpful. Truly appreciate it :-)
Nathaniel de Hoog 19/08/2017
Padding is very good quality, as is the cover. The netting to attach above the springs was designed for a 64 spring 10-foot trampoline, but the trampoline I put it on had only 60 springs. This meant it couldn't quite be attached perfectly, but it still worked out ok. Good product.
Mark Nidenko 11/09/2017
Ordered Trampoline pads. They were despatched and delivered in very short order. The quality is excellent. I couldn't be happier with the service.
Trish Harrington 02/02/2017
To the Trampoline Web and Warehouse Team,
We ordered replacement pads and net for our trampoline in November. They arrived promptly and we were very impressed with them. We previously had purchased similar replacements from another firm a few years earlier. I wish to congratulate you on the high standard of your product. It is much better designed and manufactured and looks like it will last much longer than our previous ones. Our grandchildren had much use of the trampoline during the holidays.
Thank you. You should be justly proud of your product.
Cheers,
Trish Harrington.
Russell Baricevic 31/01/2017
Great service and replacement part. Great upgrade to the original padding too.
Nicholas Tucker 27/02/2018
Great quality product. The numerous fixings to the trampoline frame and being a one-piece pad instead of 4 separate pieces makes it very secure.
AMANDA SHEPHERD 06/02/2018
Well, this is my 2nd order of pads from this store. The last set lasted me over 2 years. Great product, agreed with another comment, heaps thicker padding this time & in one piece. Looks awesome on the trampoline. Exceptional service. Arrived quickly also. 10/10 price is worth it, professional quality product.
Margaret Sargent 30/07/2017
Looks good quality and size was exactly right for my trampoline. Attaching to trampoline frame was more time consuming with the bungees than with the fixings on the previous pads purchased with the same company a few years prior, however, half way round I got the knack of attaching and speeded up!
Michael McCallum 21/03/2017
Excellent product backed up by the best service around - the pad has been upgraded significantly - thicker denser foam and a mesh skirt - well worth the $$
Zara Vukelic 06/12/2016
Extremely happy with the quality of the replacement Trampoline Pads and that it comes as one rectangular piece. Highly recommended product!
Rohan Plaw 08/02/2017
Dealing with Web & Warehouse has being nothing but a pleasure, I first purchased a Trampoline back in 2011 & the service was great & the staff were very friendly to deal with, Right up to my recent call to purchase replacement Mat/Pads & Netting the experience was nothing but simple & a bit, of fun :). Thanks, Guys, I will continue to recommend you to others.
Jo Honeychurch 14/10/2018
Great product and service, really appreciated the help in finding the right size, etc.
Would always recommend this company for trampolines.
