Best Trampoline Safety Pads (2026): Ranked by the Foam Thickness the Maker Prints

The rule: cover every spring

CPSC: "Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks and frame." Falling on the springs or frame is one of the four injury causes CPSC lists. A pad does two jobs: it closes the gap between springs so a foot cannot go through, and it cushions a landing on the frame edge. The second job depends on foam thickness and density; the first on width, which has to reach from the mat edge past the outer frame tube. Trampoline makers rarely print either on the trampoline page (Jumpzylla 25 mm, ORCC 15 mm, ACON 1.2 in and AlleyOOP 1 in are the exceptions), which is why the replacement pad pages, which do print thickness, are where the honest comparison happens.

How we scored these

The accessories rubric (how we rate): safety design 30% (thickness and spring coverage), fit range 20%, material and UV resistance 20%, certification 15%, install 15%. No pad here names ASTM F381, so certification is a 3 across the board and thickness decides it. Upper Bounce's Premium leads on 3/4 in printed foam and printed fabric weights; Zupapa's heavier cover would rank higher if it printed its foam.

Thickness, width and fabric

Thickness. 1/2 in (Skywalker, Upper Bounce Super) is the common standard; 3/4 in (Upper Bounce Premium) is the upgrade; Jumpzylla's 25 mm is just under an inch. Thicker foam also lasts longer before it compresses flat. Width. A pad has to be as wide as the spring plus the frame tube. Springs on the trampolines we cover run 5.5 in (Jumpflex FLEX) to 10 in (ACON 16 HD); ACON prints its pad at 15.5 in wide for its 10 in springs. Upper Bounce and Skywalker do not print width, so measure your spring and frame before buying. Fabric. Upper Bounce prints 450 g PVC top and 310 g PE bottom; Zupapa prints 18 oz PVC top and 130 gsm polypropylene bottom; Skywalker says UV-resistant PVC. Heavier top fabric resists UV longer; a breathable underside drains rain so the foam does not rot.

Measuring for a pad

1. Frame diameter, outside to outside, across the center.
2. Spring length, hook to hook, unstretched. Longer springs need a wider pad.
3. Frame tube diameter, so the pad's outer skirt covers it.
4. How the old pad attaches: straps and buckles to the frame, or elastic ties. Zupapa's is strapless and is held by the net and mat.
5. Zupapa asks you to measure the old pad against its size chart; Upper Bounce sells by frame diameter and says its pads fit other brands of the same size.

Who should skip all of these

Owners of Springfree trampolines, which have no springs and use a SoftEdge mat instead of a pad. Owners of Jumpflex, ACON and AlleyOOP frames, whose makers sell model-specific pads we have not scored because the pages carry no specs. Anyone whose net attaches to the poles outside the pad: replace the net with an inside-the-springs design first (best replacement nets), because on that design the pad is the landing surface.

If you are not sure the pad is finished yet, the inspection is on when to replace a trampoline mat and net.