Last updated on March 11th, 2023 at 07:31 am
Are you tired of having a sore butt or thighs after riding? In this article we are going to share with you our best impact gel saddle pad reviews.
Horse competitions and modern horse riding in general are putting ever-increasing demands on horses and riders alike. The demand for increased performance has led to the creation of many new tack items that aim to improve and enhance performance and comfort both in and out of the show ring. Among those items are the various types of saddle pads that we see today, including impact gel pads.
While success in competitions will always be primarily a result of proper conditioning and constant training, the importance of selecting the best tack should not be underestimated. It is crucial for both rider and horse to be as comfortable as possible. This is why it’s important to carefully read reviews when shopping for the best impact gel saddle pad.
Our Favorites
- Best Overall For 2023: Contour Felt Saddle Pad
- 100% Wool: Cowtown Woven Saddle Pad
- Shortest: Barrel Contour Saddle Pad
- Most Stylish: Riverland Woven Saddle Pad
- Coolest: Contour Saddle Pad XT Lite Gel
- Bonus: Seat Saver Saddle Cushion
Best Impact Gel Saddle Pad Reviews
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | OUR RATING |
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BEST OVERALL
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100% WOOL
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SHORTEST
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MOST STYLISH
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COOLEST
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BONUS
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Our Recommendations:
- We prefer 100% wool top pads for the added wicking effect.
- Proper fit of the saddle pad is more important than brand or type of material.
Contour Felt Saddle Pad – Best Impact Gel Saddle Pad 2023
Impact Gel Contour Felt Saddle Pad is our top pick for the best Impact Gel saddle pad 2023. This is the original Impact Gel saddle pad.
For the past 15+ years, this gel pad has been the number one choice for riders seeking the latest in technology and comfort. A perfect fit with the saddle is achieved thanks for the strategically placed and fitted gel bladder. It features a 70/30 polyester to wool blend which is great at wicking away moisture while also being exceptionally durable. Circulation is also improved thanks for this wool blend which allows for better air flow.
We really like how well this saddle pad cushions and absorbs impact. Even the highest performing competition horses and riders will find this gel saddle pad to be extremely comfortable.
- Best Impact Gel saddle pad 2023
- Available in black or gray
- Fits Square or Round-Backed Saddles
- Cutout at the withers
- Contour cut along the spine
- None
Cowtown Woven Saddle Pad – 100% Wool Impact Gel Saddle Pad
The Cowtown Woven Saddle Pad is a classic saddle pad design that has been very popular for many years. What makes this one unique, however, is that the top is 100% hand-woven New Zealand wool. Wool is very popular due to it’s superior moisture wicking and anti-microbial properties. The extra wicking from the natural wool fibers is sure to keep your horse cooler o those hot rides.
- 100% New Zealand Wool Top
- Classic style and fit
- Contour or straight-cut available
- A bit more expensive than other models
Barrel Contour Saddle Pad – Shortest Impact Gel Saddle Pad
The Barrel Contour Saddle Pad was designed to better accompany barrel saddles. This Barrel Saddle Pad is the shortest of the bunch with an overall length of 28”. The front of this saddle pad extends down 16”, and the rear of this gel pad extends 13”. If you use a barrel saddle, this is the pad for you.
- Shortest saddle pad option
- Perfect for round skirt barrel saddles
- None
Riverland Woven Saddle Pad – Most Stylish
The Riverland Woven Saddle Pad is essentially the same as the Cowtown model mentioned about. It comes in a variety of colors and has a 100% New Zealand wool top.
- 100% New Zealand Wool Top
- Classic style and fit
- Contour or straight-cut available
- More expensive than traditional models
Contour Saddle Pad XT Lite Gel – Coolest Impact Gel Saddle Pad
The Contour Saddle Pad XT Lite Gel features a gel insert that has a system of perforations which makes it more light-weight, breathable, and cooler. The fit is the same as the classic Contour pad, and the XT Lite gel offers the same level of protection as the original. This saddle pad is great for riding in extra warm areas.
- Coolest Impact Gel Saddle Pad
- Perforated gel pad
- Felt lined bottom
- Uncertain about durability due to perforated gel
Seat Saver Saddle Cushion – Bonus
The Seat Saver Saddle Cushion is great if you’re looking for extra cushion on the rider seat. It uses an adjustable strap and elastic band to attach to your saddle. The memory foam, Impact Gel, and nonslip bottom ensure amazing fit and comfort for the rider. We like that the top is available in either mesh or wool fleece.
- Mesh or wool fleece top
- Attaches to your saddle
- May not provide enough padding for some riders
Impact Gel Saddle Pad Buyer’s Guide
Before we get into important details to look for when buying an impact saddle pad, we first need to stress the importance of good saddle fit. Soring can occur when a saddle does not fit properly. Providing more padding should be seen as only a temporary fix since it does not fix the problem. Most of the time, if your pad is not staying where it should, you should take a close inspection of how the tree of your saddle fits on your horses back. Obviously buying new saddles all the time is not realistic, so it’s very important that you use a pad well fitted to your horse. You want to find a good balance of cooling and compression protection.
Impact Gel Saddle Pads Benefits
Impact gel, which is patented, is manufactured from cross-link structures which are interconnected energy dissipating molecules. What’s unique about the gel molecules is that they are able to flow freely around one another and at the same time remain linked. Impact Gel is excellent at absorbing and dissipating pressure points and force of impact that come from saddle use, especially when wearing riding jeans.
Shock Absorption
Impact Gel is incredibly shock absorbent. This is due to how energy is dissipated and transferred through the gel molecules upon impact. Unlike some other types of pads, energy in gel pads flows horizontally away from the spot of impact, very similar to how water ripples upon impact.
Temperature Resistance
Impact Gel works great at absorbing energy, even at temperatures down to -40F. Additionally, it is capable of dispersing heat at up to as high as 250F. Likewise, in temperatures as low as -40F, Impact Gel retains its energy absorbing properties. This helps to keep your horse cooler for longer. If your horse does happen to overheat, you can always give them an electrolyte supplement.
Antimicrobial Properties
Both fungi and bacteria have been shown to be unable to survive on Impact Gel’s surface. This is clearly very important for the health of both horse and rider.
Environmental Impact
Made out of soybeans, Impact Gel is inert. It is also produced under low temperature and low pressure. This makes the environmental impact of gel saddle pads lower than some competing materials.
How To Clean An Impact Gel Saddle Pad
Another thing that we really love about Impact Gel saddle pads is how easy they are to care for. Check out this video on how to clean an Impact Gel saddle pad.
Conclusion
In summary, Impact Gel saddle pads stand out among the competition for two distinct reasons. They can’t be beat when it comes to relieving pressure points which are frequently the result of an improper fitting saddle. They are also unmatched when it comes to dissipating energy which is transferred onto the back of the horse. Key benefits of these is that your horse will fresh and cooler longer and therefore perform much better.
Last update on 2023-03-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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