2009Vests forum
Modifying Ultra 2 vest padding for improved comfort
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- The shoulder pads on the Ultra 2 vest can feel excessively thick and cause discomfort during use
- Removing one of two internal pad layers results in thinner padding but may not solve the fundamental comfort issue
- Neoprene-like replacement materials can degrade quickly in areas of body contact
- Quality foam materials are available from rubber supply companies in various thicknesses suitable for vest padding replacement
- Shoulder pad width rather than thickness may be the primary cause of discomfort, with narrower designs found on professional vest models
- Custom foam padding can be fitted by iteratively trimming and testing until comfort is achieved
- Proper vest fitting and wearing technique should be verified before attempting modifications, as adjustment within velcro limits sometimes resolves discomfort
Depends on
- No definitive solution was reached; different users found different approaches worked for them
- The original white pad material is difficult to remove as the two internal layers are strongly glued together
- One attempted neoprene substitute failed due to poor durability
- Success depends on individual body shape and size
- No commercial pre-made thinner pad alternatives were identified