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Blubber Pad Slipping

Original Post
John Goodlander · · NH · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 928

Has anyone tried attaching thin strips of rubber or some other material to the bottom of a blubber pad to stop it from rocketing off the base pads when you fall on steep landings? Someone mentioned this at the boulders the other day and it seems like an interesting idea but I don't want to start DIY'ing an expensive pad if it's not going to work. Thanks! 

Jared Sartini · · Encinitas, CA · Joined Mar 2017 · Points: 2,240

I haven't heard of this before but it sounds quite useful. 

What about strips of velcro to hook into velcro pad connections? This would limit which pads you can use. And you'd have to think ahead for placement or just do it at the problem after you figure out the orientation. 

My other thought is a couple long bands of paracord tied in the uphill/downhill direction around the blubber and pads to keep them together.

Kevin Piarulli · · Redmond, OR · Joined Nov 2013 · Points: 2,108

In a pinch, I have used the closure straps on the blubber to hook it to another pad underneath. Curious if you come up with a good solution by adhering some grippy stuff to the bottom...

Bill D · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 90

You could spray the bottom with spots of flex seal or other rubberized coating. Seems like it would increase the friction enough to keep it in place

Luke M · · Boulder, CO · Joined Dec 2018 · Points: 25

I tried this. I tried creating a pattern of silocone sealant on the bottom of the pad, combined with 20 or so little rubber stickers meant for couch cusions. It didn't work at all! As soon as a little dirt gets on the pad, the friction is gone. I bet velcro would work quite well if you had certain pads underneath. They make quite large stick-on velcro strips for attaching to couch cushions.

Peter Beal · · Boulder Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,825
Luke M wrote:

I tried this. I tried creating a pattern of silocone sealant on the bottom of the pad, combined with 20 or so little rubber stickers meant for couch cusions. It didn't work at all! As soon as a little dirt gets on the pad, the friction is gone. I bet velcro would work quite well if you had certain pads underneath. They make quite large stick-on velcro strips for attaching to couch cushions.

There are pretty effective spray-on rubber options out there. I put some on a slider pad I own and it worked well.

mbk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 0

A few weeks ago I used some paracord to anchor a blubber pad.  It seemed to work OK.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Bouldering
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