Trampoline pads, otherwise known as frame pads or trampoline safety pads, are an essential part of any trampoline. They are the protective foam structure that covers the springs and frame of a trampoline.
For obvious reasons you want to prevent any part of your body impacting at speed on anything that may cause injury whilst bouncing on the mat. Drifting sideways, while in motion on the mat, is especially common when being used by young children or inexperienced trampoline users. Next thing you know you are getting dangerously close to the metal springs and frame that give every mat its taut bouncy nature.
Coming in contact with anything metal while bouncing is never ideal but it can and does happen on occasion. Protecting any body part that comes into contact with the supporting structural elements of the trampoline is paramount to the overall safety of any trampoline.
This is where trampoline pads come in. They offer protection from impact after falling on the frame or springs or when bouncers can fall over while trying to get off the mat as well.
The need for replacement trampoline pads usually falls into two categories, replacing torn or worn pads and upgrading ineffective or just plain useless and cheap pads.
Many of the main trampoline suppliers have their own ranges. Â For example you can get JumpKing trampoline pads or Hedstrom trampoline pads from many retailers.
Most people opt for the standard unbranded replacement pads due to cost. However, you need to be wary of buying cheap trampoline pads because this is an area where you really do get what you pay for.
Make sure to check for:
- The quality of the material, the pads and the stitching. Also the quality of the attachment straps is important too as you don’t want the pads the fly off the frame in the middle of a rather high bounce.
- Price is important but don’t go for the cheapest, always go for the best you can afford and good pads don’t always mean getting the most expensive ones.
- Weather proofing is essential to the longevity of the trampoline pads. You don’t want to have to be buying replacement safety pads every year. A good retailer will advise you on this from the experiences of their customers.
Overlooked by most people is getting the correct size trampoline pads. Make sure to measure the mat from the center to the edge of the frame as you don’t want to have to return the pads after getting them home, unpacking them and trying to put them on the frame only to find that they are the wrong size completely.
Most trampoline pads come in the standard sizes for trampolines which are:
- 8ft, 10ft, 12ft, 13ft and 14ft
That covers the standard trampoline but there is also a need for more specialist replacement pads for such trampolines as mini trampolines and exercise trampolines. For these we recommend that you contact the maker of your type of trampoline as they will be best equipped to help you.
Most retailers don’t keep stocks of trampoline pads for small or specialty trampolines. Also try an internet search but make sure to have the make and model of your trampoline at hand as  you’ll need to be very specific when ordering the replacement trampoline pads.