Can someone help me figure out what foam to get for hip and knee braces?

Advice
#1

Hello, I am looking to purchase foam for hip and knee braces in my sea kayak, however I am confused as to what I should order. I know I should get closed cell, but there are just so many types.
What I was going to order is this:

However i would prefer to find the stuff in Black so it blends into the seat design I have, would anyone be able to recommend or link the type of foam I should use? Also should I look into a softer more malleable foam for the knee braces?
Thanks!

#2

Here’s an excellent site which has the right stuff. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions. Their prices are good and they ship quickly.

#3

I have never seen it in true black. Darker grey but not black. I have some thin sheets that are quite dark but also very dense and not useful for my purposes. I have used and still use the standard minicell that you are looking at for knee braces in my boats and wouldn’t hesitate to use it again.

#4

If you don’t have a quality kayak shop nearby and you also want to save some serious $$$, go to Harbor Freight/HomeDepot/Lowe’s and find a 5 pack of closed cell foam floor mats. It allows lots of extra material if you screw up a cut or want to experiment with shapes. I’ve cut up a yoga mat also - they are much softer usually for the knee area.

Also since those mats are usually only about 1/2" - 3/4" thick…I have used contact cement to make it as much as 3 - 4" thick, basically a laminate. A seat back bump still works great 6 years later.

#5

Any good kayak shop will have a lot of the right stuff around and a decent ban saw to hack off just what you need… If you’re really lucky they’ll give you some. But it doesn’t hurt to spend a few bucks there on all the other gear you will acquire…

#6

You can coat Minicel foam with Plasti Dip, which is available in a wide range of colors.

1 Like
#7

For hip pads I’ve been using the Salamander Pro Hip Snap for a couple of decades. Easy to install in most boats and easy to remove. Comes with a selection of closed cell foam inserts that can be used to match your body shape. The inserts go into a black Velcro pouch that mounts along the sides of the seat. Easy to change out the inserts if needed. Extremely durable.

#8

I had some of those that I used in my Coho. When the Coho was sold I ended up salvaging the foam and repurposing it in other boats. The fabric and straps got away from me.