I need a durable heel pad...

[slidercrank]

Anyone knows of a well-cushioned and durable heel pad?

I have tried 2 kinds of heel pads. The first one has well-made elastic fabric and a thick foam padding when new, but it gets compacted down to nothing really quickly. This type seems to be carried by every online bogu shop.

The 2nd kind uses a sorbothane pad that doesn't get compacted. But I wish the sorbo pad was a little bigger and the elastic fabric better made. I used to see this one at Tozando and maybe at Eguchi. But now I have just checked both places and neither has this kind anymore.

Anyone has tried the new Yamaya heel pad? Both Eguchi and E-bogu have it, but they don't say what kind of cushioning it uses.

My heel will thank any help from you...

[Hongsermeier]

I have the pad your talking about and love it. I'm not sure but i think it's sorbothane. Has a leather pad on the outside. I got my first one about 1 year ago. It's still together, but very smelly. You can only rinse it in warm water because of the leather. I bought another one this weekend just to give the first one a break.

[S. Takamori]

The sorbothane heel pad is sold by Koei budogu and available at bogubag.com & eurobogu.net

[slidercrank]

Originally posted by Hongsermeier
I have the pad your talking about and love it. I'm not sure but i think it's sorbothane. Has a leather pad on the outside. ...

Hongsermeier:

You're referring to the one made by Yamaya, right? If yours has lasted you a year, I'm getting it.

Takamori:

I just went to bogubag.com, and they actually have all 3 kinds of heel pads I talked about.

The foam type is #42-299, $16. The sorbothane one is #42-249, $10. And the Yamaya one is #42-410, $14 (I don't know how bogubag is selling this one $10 cheaper than eguchi or e-bogu).

I don't think the foam type heel pad is worth $16 at all. It just doesn't last. The sorbothane type pad is an ok value at $10. But I think I'll give the Yamaya pad a try this time.

[Hongsermeier]

That's the one. Really nice. Cost is about $25. Picked it up from Eguchi.

[Hyaku]

The one shown in KendoWorld is the best I have found yet. Thought it was a gel but they say a special foam. I do a tremendous amount of fumikomi in Kenjutsu and its working out fine.

It was more expensive but now I use it I can see why.

Whatever I use I have to wet the underside before practice.

I feel sorry for some of you guys. I still clearly remember doing kendo on a concrete floor in Denmark everyday for a few weeks. A purpose built dojo floor goes a long way towards preventing injury.

Hyaku

[Maagaard]

Where in Denmark was this Hyaku, I don't know of any clubs in Denmark where they train on concrete floor, exept maybe at the Dansk Japansk Folkehøjskole in Bogense ?

Maagaard delurking in the forums.

[junkyman]

If your footwork is correct you willl find that you don't need a pad regardless of the type of floor you practice on. We practice on concrete tile and I think I have only seen 1 student wear one a heelpad.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Practising on super-hard floors affects your technique. It forces you to make a much more gentle stomp to avoid injury. People who normally train on soft floors and then train on a hard floor are prone to injury if they can't adjust their footwork right away. Bruised heels aren't the only possibility, I've also seen shinsplints and tweaked knees.

[Hongsermeier]

Speaking as one with a very messed up knee, I'll take all the precautions I can. When I praticed in Japan I didn't use one, but in the US I do. Main difference is the floor.

[Inouye02]

junkyman , that the one with all the sand on it also ?

[iwatekenshi]

If you need a heal pad there's no reason to get fancy and go out your way and spend extra money on some special made-for-kendo gear. What BS!

The best and quick option is to go to your local sports store and buy a regular elbow pad made for volleyball or some other sport and slip it on your heal. They work really well and are dirt cheap expendable. When one goes another one for 4 or 5 US dollars will keep your ankle happy;).

PS a snug fit is best when going this way. I find a small size elbow pad fitting just perfect on my ankle. Of course if you have big feet you might have to go medium or large, but generally sizing down is the best way to go.

[junkyman]

yeah, we even have sand and crap all over our concrete tile floor and we don't need no estinking heel pads

[Inouye02]

dont forget the thumbtacks that fall off the bulletin board

[junkyman]

and gum

[megumisita]

This problem can easily be fixed. Don't stomp.

[Inouye02]

oh oh , the super slide is making a comeback ?

[Inouye02]

no fumikomi = no kiten tai no ichi

[Neil Gendzwill]

Originally posted by Inouye02
no fumikomi = no kiten tai no ichi
This is just flat-out wrong. And misspelt. You don't need fumikomi for ki ken tai no ichi. HOWEVER for beginners this is the best and easiest way to get it. People who are injured can do alternative footwork. Older kendoka tend to skip the fumikomi altogether, they can coordinate the cut with the body without a stomp.

[KENSHIN]

This is exactly what I am lookig for, I had no idea they even existed. Can xsomeone be kind enough to me where i could get such pads from? Links would be useful rather than say the name of the place. Thank you.

p.s. How much are they?

[KENSHIN]

Ok ignore my post above, as I have just read where i could possibly get hold of some.