Footbag Mats

Guest_1 · Post by **Guest_1** » 30 Sep 2007 19:17

I read over the footbag mat threads when everyone was getting into them. Now I'd like to know how you all really feel about them now that you've had them for awhile.

Where did you get them?

For what price?

Are they slippery?

How big are they?

How do they help?

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 01 Oct 2007 04:54

I have two things:
- I have 1/2 inch thick, interlocking rubber mats (3 ft x 3ft each) that I got at this place called Olley's (which is basically a surplus store.. they have a hodge podge of stuff that is overstock from other stores.. In your area, I'm sure there's something similar, but probably not called Olley's) for maybe $40 for a 9ft x 9ft area.

- A roll of carpet from Lowes Hardware. That cost about $15.

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The mats are nice because they have good cushion and can be broken down and carried to shred spots if you're interested in doing that. I've never been interested in that.

The carpet is good because it also provides a teense of cushion and was cheap.

I use both now because my shred spot in my barn has a really uneven floor, so the mats absorb the imperfections, and then I cover the mat with carpet because the interlocking mats will want to pop aparts due to uneven surface - carpet keeps them held down and together. But I think for the cost, the cheap carpet is fine for most applications. A little duct tape on the underside to keep it from sliding and you're good to go.

Psilocybe · Post by **Psilocybe** » 02 Oct 2007 08:14

The mats are nice, but a bit too slippery. I stopped using them though, because they're just a pain to take places and I don't have a car.

Once my stress fracture gets better I'll definitely be using them.

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 02 Oct 2007 22:18

Where did you get them? Lowe's

For what price? $18 for 4 gray foam puzzle mats, 4 square feet each

Are they slippery? If you have a clean surface to put them on, they don't move around...usually. I've had a few experiences where they slipped a little. Alternately, the actual shred surface of them is sometimes more 'grippy' than other surfaces, making it easier to fall incorrectly if you go for a hard move and miss. These things happen so infrequently however that it's hardly a problem, especially if you're mindful of it.

How big are they? 2 x 2 foot square squares. 16 of them make a perfect shred zone.

How do they help? They dramatically reduce impact on shins. I was to the point where I could barely shred because of severe shin splints, and they gradually helped my legs heal. They won't fix the splints completely however, and it's best to supplement with the toe-taps, calf stretches, and various other methods for building shin muscles and relieving splints.

They also help your bags last longer. The bag falls on a cushiony foam surface as opposed to rough or jagged concrete. They also seem to make the laver soles last longer as well. The mats do take about 3 sessions to fully get used to. I actually did not like them my first session with them. But now I can't shred without them, and is my most preferred surface.

mc · Post by mc » 03 Oct 2007 15:01

the thing I don't like about impact-absorbing portable surfaces (like shred mats) is that they are also "effort-absorbing", meaning that you're going to have to work harder to jump 2 feet straight up on a mat than you would have to try to jump 2 feet straight up on concrete because some of your "push" against your play surface is going to be negated by the "give" in the surface.

of course, if my options were "have shin splints and don't play" or "play on a mat", my choice would be obvious.

Sorry for the quasi-off-topic post.

FlexThis · Post by **FlexThis** » 11 Oct 2007 14:51

I can play longer on a shred mat (2 hours vs. 1 hour)

But I can shred longer strings on concrete (30 contacts vs. 20)

I would shred on mats over concrete though - the pain is tremendous on concrete vs. the mats.

Burrin · Post by **Burrin** » 11 Oct 2007 17:56

Damon has my shred mats :]

And my Bungicords

FlexThis · Post by **FlexThis** » 18 Oct 2007 13:22

And they work great

Too bad they don't quite fit in with Richie's set.

And Tony is a monster - I can't hit his 5s and I'm a dinosaur of a footbagger.

Maraxus · Post by **Maraxus** » 22 Oct 2007 14:53

I'll show you a monster.

<----

JeffRichards · Post by **JeffRichards** » 03 Nov 2007 08:30

Hey Im looking into buying a shred mat and wondering if anyone would help me out.

I want something that will absorb impact but also give a little bounce back instead of "absorboing effort" like matt said.

Would foam or rubber be better? I also see different types of foam mats like heavy-duty ones that are denser foam and different thicknesses. What would the differences be? Finally i see different types of mats like exercise and anti-fatigue. Exercise would be better?

thanks!

JeffRichards · Post by **JeffRichards** » 06 Nov 2007 12:01

anyone?

footjam_heger · Post by **footjam_heger** » 21 Nov 2007 12:20

Shred-matta:
planetfootbag produced some bunches once. they were about 200-300Euros. not sure whether they still exist. in europe you'll find some. there are some hidden stocks at planetfootbag somewhere..

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 21 Nov 2007 12:30

I would say that the denser the better in general.

I like and dislike shred mats, I usually just play on concrete in the end though.

For some applications they are useful and have a purpose but they shouldn't be relied on allllways like a crutch.