Foam doesn’t just die at the crag — it can die in storage.
Moisture, heat, pressure, and sunlight quietly ruin structure long before your next session.
The good news: it’s easy to avoid, and most damage is preventable.
1. Keep It Dry
Keep your pads dry, and open them after use so the foam can breathe and dry out.
Leaving a pad closed when wet traps moisture inside, slowly weakening both the foam and the fabrics.
This matters most for open-cell foams, which absorb and hold moisture longer — and break down faster when stored damp.
After every session:
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Brush off mud and grit.
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Open the pad and air it overnight in a dry, ventilated space.
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Never leave it zipped or folded wet — trapped moisture accelerates breakdown.
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Avoid sheds, garages, and vans where condensation builds.
2. Store Flat — Especially for Taco Pads
Foam likes to be flat.
Leave a pad folded for weeks, and you’ll open it to a permanent hinge or curve — plus softer, weaker foam in the fold that can form a dead spot.
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Taco pads should always be stored flat — folding compresses and deforms the foam over time.
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Hinge pads are more forgiving but still benefit from being opened between sessions to let foam decompress evenly.
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Don’t store heavy items (or anything) on top of your pad — pressure leaves indents and weak spots that only get worse with time.
If space is tight, rotate how it’s folded or store vertically to relieve constant pressure.
3. Keep It Out of the Sun
UV damage is slow but permanent.
Direct sunlight and heat — roof racks, van windows, or sheds — dry out and stiffen foam, fade fabrics, and weaken coatings.
Store cool, shaded, and indoors whenever possible.
4. Clean, Don’t Soak
Water and detergents can damage coatings and adhesives.
Instead of full washes:
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Wipe it down with a damp cloth and mild soap.
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Let it dry completely before storage.
→ Learn more in How to Take Care of Your Bouldering Pad
5. Repair Early
Small rips and seam pulls grow fast.
Patch and reinforce them while it’s still easy — a quick fix now can add a season of life later.
Ignore them, and dirt and moisture will work into the foam, making tears spread faster.
6. Rotate Your Pads
If you own more than one pad, rotate them through the season.
Let one take impact duty while the other rests.
It evens out compression and can keep pads in use for longer
Why It Matters
Pads don’t just fail at the crag — they fail from how they’re stored afterwards.
Good storage massively extends lifespan, keeps foam performance consistent, and reduces waste.
Built to Handle Use — Not Neglect
All Slaphappy pads use UK-made cross-linked foam, Cordura® HP 1000D shells, and reinforced hinge systems designed to last.
Treat them right, and they’re designed to handle extensive, dragging, folding, and catching without losing structure.
Learn more in Crash Pad Lifespan: How to Know When Yours Is Done
If your pads are wearing out, fix that first.
Shop Slaphappy Bouldering Pads
Whilst risk management, experience, and good practice can improve safety, bouldering pads do not guarantee safety, and the information above does not guarantee a bouldering pad is safe to use.
Read our Safety and Liability Disclaimer for more information.
