Shred Mats

Juana · Post by **Juana** » 22 May 2005 19:34

Does anyone have good recommendations for shred mats. I've kicked with the Swiss and Germans on mats that made concrete surfaces more forgiving. Alex and I want to invest in some nice mats for our back patio -- it's the perfect shred spot, but it's all concrete and our joints can't take it for long sessions.

I'm looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback.

Adios,
Jane

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 22 May 2005 20:29

carpet, get good thin poffy carpet. i got some for my basement an it made it in to a totaly new shred spot. besides it exstends the life of your bag. over in erope i see in some vasek videos they have actuly mats, but i dont have an idea how i could get my hands on one of them.

Juana · Post by **Juana** » 22 May 2005 20:34

Thanks for the suggestion, however we don't want carpet... what I have in mind is like the Europeans use...I've just never seen anything like it in the states. It's more of a rubber material, no more than a quarter inch thick. the stuff I remember best was Mark Inzinger's, and it was red in color, but I'm pretty sure Jan Zimmerman has some for the Swiss/Planet Footbag peeps too. It's exactly like the stuff Vasek kicks on in the vids. Does anyone know where to find something similar in the states?

zachatree · Post by **zachatree** » 22 May 2005 20:42

well there is always ebay

but if u want something like that, then get a wressling mat we kick on them in school its the same thing but its like a little thicker, maybe some how u can cut it down but i think its just what your talking about.

ShredOnLawn · Post by **ShredOnLawn** » 22 May 2005 22:07

I buy a cheap 6 by 8 industrial style carpet at a big store for like $30 or even go get free old junk carpet from a flooring company dumpster.

ptaku · Post by **ptaku** » 23 May 2005 08:09

The swiss ones are made from a material called tetraflex.

In Poland we have some mats too. They're much cheaper than the swiss ones, but I don't know how is the material called.

http://www.footbag.com.pl/modules.php?n ... page&pid=8

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 23 May 2005 13:43

http://www.diamond-safety.com/Mitchell%20Rubber.html

I like the heavy rubber mats used to protect tile floors from free weights and such. Super stiff, non slippery, and available from dozens of manufactures at very premium prices.

Personally, I think it would be easier to change your equipment to something better for your legs than to find an ideal flooring that will withstand outdoor weathering.

Juana · Post by **Juana** » 24 May 2005 22:17

Those mats for protecting floors from free weights might be just what I'm looking for -- I'll check it out, thanks for the tip. Ideally I'd like the tetraflex mats that Ptaku mentioned, but I'm not sure where to find it in the states.

Personally, I think it would be easier to change your equipment to something better for your legs than to find an ideal flooring that will withstand outdoor weathering.

I'm not concerned about outddor weathering, I'm concerned about absorbing shock when playing on hard concrete that doesn't have the give that a wood floor has. Carpet doesn't absorb enough shock for me when on top of concrete. I've tried a variety of shoes and have always returned to the lavers. On the right surface, lavers are fine (for me). The rubber mats take some of the impact rather than your knees and other joints taking it all. Keep in mind that I've been hacking for about 22 years, so my body is more sensitive to the surfaces that I shred on due to long-term over-use of certain motions. concrete is fine if I'm just going tiltless, but if I want to do guiltless shred...no concrete or I'll end up having to take long breaks to heal shin splints and hip pain...for alex it's his knees.

anyway, thanks for the tips - you've all been extremely helpful!

sen · Post by **sen** » 01 Jun 2005 06:41

Last night I spotted something that might be useful.
The Meat Shop that I work at purchased some mats to stand an to protect from back and leg pain while standing all day. They are quite cushiony so they may be good. My only worry is about how grippy they are, I now some people don't like grippy surfaces so these are defineatly not for them. They only cost $15 for a 3x3 foot square and they have interlocking tabs on the sides to put then together.

Jdigges · Post by **Jdigges** » 01 Jun 2005 18:49

Yea what Tsian said. we have those same mats in the weight room at school. I've kicked a little bit on them and they feel nice. Nice and sturdy, will probably never wear down and they are farily light. who knows how many times im contemplated taking them hahah, but not really. My little bro and i go some old carpet from my friend and stuck in on our floor. We play in our barn so its indoor and carpet works really well.

pill · Post by **pill** » 02 Jun 2005 17:56

we have some at my work. we don't really use them but i felt them up and they seemed like they may be good. they're interlocking squares. i asked my boss where he got them and he said shucks.

sen · Post by **sen** » 03 Jun 2005 06:29

The one's at my work came from Cosco. Next time I'm there I may pick up four of them. That will make a 9x9 square. Hope I have the cash.