Ideal foam padding for leather

[JerseyFirefighter]

J.H. Leather on Youtube has a tutorial on making padded dog collars. She said she uses Plastazote  as a padding foam. 

[nylonRigging]

 Among other foams I regularly use . I have used this for years sewing on certain items where I need thin foam between panels . ( It works real nice )  . Floor underlay foam is a thin closed-cell polyurethane foam,  ( 1/8" ) thick that is, good price, closed cell, 'tough rugged' . can find it easy over at hardware like, home depot ...etc

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Standard-100-sq-ft-Rolls-25-ft-x-4-ft-x-080-in-Polyethylene-Foam-2-in-1-Underlayment-100779555/203956730?MERCH=REC-_-PLP_Browse-_-NA-_-203956730-_-N

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Edited October 25, 2019 by nylonRigging

[Tubby11]

I only ever use closed cell foam these days. Plastazote is my preferred choice.

[chuck123wapati]

I was at my local thrift store and found about 4 brand new leg immobilizers, those things that get strapped on you when you get a knee operation. That's what I am useing for padding for straps and slings. They are made out of polyester wadding with a layer of cotton on one side and synthetic fabric on the other and are about 3/8" thick when sewn in. When they run out I plan on using the ploy wadding for quilts as it wont break down as bad as foam IMO.  

Edited June 4, 2020 by chuck123wapati

[Klara]

Given that shipments from Abbey of England now go through customs, and that I only found Plastozote in music shops (in connection with flight cases), the nearest of which is closed for looking around, I thought of gym mats and yoga mats.

The cheapest of which is ridiculously priced: 2,50 Euros for 1,40 x 0,50 m, 6 mm thick. 100% polyethylene,  doesn't absorb water, the density might be 33 kg/m3 (might because that's the figure I calculated, but I don't trust my math). And best of all, I could pick it up free of charge during my weekly shopping trip to the nearest town.

Now the bad news: The chain store I bought it from is Intersport and I don't think they've made it outside of France yet. 

 

[JohnnyLongpants]

platazote can be purchased from shoe repair supply shops.  Among others (Franklin, Southern), Landwerlen Leather in Indianapolis carries it in various thicknesses.  This particular foam is used commonly in braces, orthotics, prosthetics, etc.  It has a very specific softness/firmness for things like diabetic insoles.

There are other foams like neoprene, latex, or eva "cloud" that are good for backing leather because they use similar adhesives.  These are commonly used in shoemaking and shoe repair, so have the same skin contact as a belt would, basically.  This stuff is simlar but softer than what cheap flipflops are made of.  Cloud is probably the cheapest, and starts at about 3mm thick.

I usually pad things with neoprene foam (scuba suits, mouse pads) or I use wool fleece or shearling.  

There are other, cheaper foams but if they arent made for shoes or something else used a lot then they dont last long.

Edited July 30, 2021 by JohnnyLongpants

[LatigoAmigo]

14 hours ago, JohnnyLongpants said:

There are other foams like neoprene

Neoprene is working for me. It is readily available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKP6KFX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. It comes in 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 inch thickness.

 

[sbrownn]

I don't like to use padded straps on my instruments but when a client asks for padding I use wool...the world has enough plastic as it is.

[chuck123wapati]

I use the poly batting that you put in quilts, furniture and clothing  they also use it as a layer over the foam padding in furniture and in medical equipment like knee braces and such. It wont break down like foam will. 

[Frodo]

I use pleather that can be bought locally for $6.00  36''' x 72''   sheets