Homemade Crash Pads

I've got several commercial pads but I want to make my own for kicks.

anybody got a good patern/template or pictures of their home brewed Landing strips?

Beta on their contruction would be great as well.

I would be interested in this as well if someone has more info.

I second this... it'd be cool to see what people have made...

My roommates are from MN and they say the owner from Organic (form MN) is super nice...I'm sure he wouldn't mind offering some advice..

Organic Climbing has a couple of videos on how they make their crashpads on their website.

May help you out:

organicclimbing.com/

I got pissed at the airlines for changing the luggage size from 72" to 62" and I was heading to JTree. So I made a pad that would fit within their guidelines and still maybe soften the landing.
It is a trifold - 48"x36"x3.5". Folded up it is 36"x12"x12". The foam is 2" of open cell and 1.5 of closed with that gym carpet top (got some gym scraps).

It was kind of a tricky sewing job, with a good bit of hand sewing involved to close all the foam pockets. I put some straps on it to close it up and carry it on my back, but some of them tore off. Also used a velcroed on cloth to close the center seam.

I'm no Organic designer or anything. I posted some picks in my album. Click on my name to see them I guess?

i think the real trick is getting the foam and fabric at reasonable costs. i remember my friend looked into it, and could only find the materials in bulk. that being said, i'd just take a look at the pads that you have, and go from there. maybe read up on the manufacturer specs to get an idea on materials.

I've been looking into this recently, want to make a big beast of a pad to take out on solo ventures. Anyone have any luck finding decent supplies of foam, closed and open-celled?

Asana will sell foam sized for their pads at a pretty reasonable cost and you can sew your own cover for it for very cheap.

Ben C wrote:i think the real trick is getting the foam and fabric at reasonable costs. i remember my friend looked into it, and could only find the materials in bulk. that being said, i'd just take a look at the pads that you have, and go from there. maybe read up on the manufacturer specs to get an idea on materials.

Reupolstry place nearby has scrap couch and chair sections of foam that work great for making a pad. Haven't done it yet but just knowing the material is nearby makes it inviting.

I've found that couch and chair foam is a little too soft for pads. Plus what you really need is appropriate hard cell to disperse the impact. 1 or 1.5 inches on one or two sides.

Just a quick Question--- What makes Organic pads organic?

Adam Catalano wrote:I've found that couch and chair foam is a little too soft for pads. Plus what you really need is appropriate hard cell to disperse the impact. 1 or 1.5 inches on one or two sides.

Exactly. Having trouble finding the closed-cell foam. Maybe mats that are made for workstation floors in commercial kitchens to save your knees and feet?

Already mentioned, but be very careful with the sofa/couch foam. Really tall, and too soft, very easy to roll ankles.

JFK wrote: Exactly. Having trouble finding the closed-cell foam. Maybe mats that are made for workstation floors in commercial kitchens to save your knees and feet?

I have a pad that I made with the puzzle piece foam flooring. Not great. It feels very crunchy. Good closed cell is definitely the crux. Possibly some ensilite sleeping pad foam could work a little better?

Try here, free shipping on orders over $75

The Foam Factory

Here are two crashpads I've made:

I second the Foam Factory. Getting the foam is the crux, and this is the best place I've found. The best deal, if you're making a big crash pad like the one in the photo is on their "accessories" page, they sell bags of scrap for $30. I only needed 2 of these bags to fill my 5'x8'x1' huge crash pad. If you bought sheets of foam, it would cost close to $500 to fill a pad that size.

A good source for fancy outdoorsie fabrics is The Rainshed You can get ripstop nylon and stuff there, which you need if you're making an outdoor pad. I recommend using velcro to close the pad because plastic buckles will get broken. For my big indoor pad, I just bought some muslin fabric at hobby lobby. I double stitched everything, and you want to get heavy thread, like an upholstry thread.

Mike Anderson wrote:I recommend using velcro to close the pad because plastic buckles will get broken.

We used velcro on our first pad, and I agree if the pad is gonna get a lot of abuse, velcro is probably best. However, sewing velcro onto the cover is a big PITA, since its so thick, etc. We basically ruined our crappy sewing machine trying to sew the velcro on the second pad, and we eventually gave up.

If your pad will see limited, indoor use, snaps work pretty good. They will definitely unsnap from time to time, but installation is, well a snap (oh no you di-int!).

Robin like the bird wrote:Just a quick Question--- What makes Organic pads organic?

[from the Organic webpage] One of the definitions of "organic" is forming an integral element of a whole, fundamental.

Josh would often joke about selling a burlap sack filled with straw for those who insist that Organic pads must be USDA organic. They are getting closer, buying foam made from soy and the like. The covers will be the hard part.

Monomaniac wrote: We used velcro on our first pad, and I agree if the pad is gonna get a lot of abuse, velcro is probably best. However, sewing velcro onto the cover is a big PITA, since its so thick, etc. We basically ruined our crappy sewing machine trying to sew the velcro on the second pad, and we eventually gave up.

That's a bummer. I think you can glue velcro on, as another option.

Oh yeah, one more tip. If you're making a big crash pad, I highly recommend sewing in some baffles. If you don't, and you stuff it with loose foam scraps, it will balloon into a football shape which could be dangerous when you land on it. You can see in this photo where I sewed baffles (the two straight lines in the middle of the pad).