Half Pad Debate - EquiFit vs LamiCell

[raisethebar]

I am looking at the EquiFit Non-Slip Contour and the ImpacTec half pad. Does anyone have a preference between those two pads?

I am also aware that the LamiCell is pretty darn similar to the ImpacTec half pad but 1/4 of the price. That leads me to the title of this thread… Is there a huge difference between them for the price?

I rode in a friends LamiCell and liked it. Not sure if I loved it because I felt a little more “on top” of my horse, not around, but the price point is very attractive compared to EquiFit. As of right now, I haven’t found a comparative dupe for EquiFit’s Contour half pad.

[PrincessPonies]

Used both in the past. The LamiCell was thicker. I felt that both were pretty dense and my horse didn’t seem as happy with it as we hoped. We ended up trying a couple memory foam pads, which she liked. I finally ended up investing in an Ecogold flip that is kind of a mix of the EquiFit and memory foam and my horse really likes it.

[raisethebar]

Oh thanks @PrincessPonies I don’t think I have looked into those!!!

[lmlacross]

I didn’t love my LamiCell. Felt it was too thick and rigid, and didn’t yield much as it warmed up. I returned mine.

[hunterjumper98]

In my opinion, Equifit is definitely the way to go. The LamiCell is absolutely nothing like the Impacteq pad from Equifit and doesn’t even compare in the least.

I have ridden in both LamiCell and Equifit, and the LamiCell had me feeling as though I was a million miles away from my horse’s back. Plus, it was super thick and as stiff as a board. It never softened the entire ride. I wasn’t a fan in the least. The Equifit softens as it warms up and actually contours to the horse’s back.

[OutsidersOpinion]

I’ve had the non slip half pad from equifit for about 5-6 years and LOVE it. Won’t ride my personal horse in anything else. Its the right amount of shock absorbtion, but I don’t feel like I’m disconnected. I have ridden in the Impacteq and like it, but it is a bit more cushion than the regular non slip pad. If your saddle is custom or a bit narrow go for the non slip, if it is a bit wide or needs some cushion go for the Impacteq. Both hold up super well, which to me is LamiCell’s downfall, I’ve seen them rip down the middle when under two years old. Also thicker than the Impacteq.

[raisethebar]

Thank you everyone! This is super helpful. I am on an EquiFit kick right now. I want one of everything!

[BAC]

I agree with everyone else about the Lamicel, too thick and stiff although the horse seemed to like it. I felt as though I was sitting too high off the horse if that makes sense.

[Mac123]

@raisethebar I’m not totally familiar with the Equifit, but I have a half pad by Dura-tech that I love.

https://www.sstack.com/English_Saddle-Pads_Protective/Dura-Tech--Gel-Lite--Support-Pad-System/

It’s shim-able and the memory foam compresses nicely - I never feel far away or up on top like the LamiCell. It’s also very affordable. I’ve had it for probably 5-6 years now and it’s still my go-to pad.

I did by the white cover for it, but to date haven’t ever used it! The shims you can buy are on the thicker side, and I recently bought some felt sheets on Amazon and cut them to fit so I could have a smaller shim up front. It worked perfectly.

Just an option to throw out there! I’ll be buying another one if and when this one dies.

[raisethebar]

Thank you @Mac123 ! That is a really good suggestion. Love the cotton cover option so you can use at a horse show if needed!

[Mac123]

@raisethebar

Thank you @Mac123 ! That is a really good suggestion. Love the cotton cover option so you can use at a horse show if needed!

For sure! The only downside I found to the white cover is it makes the pad just thick enough that it always feels too thick to then use over a shaped pad. But it is a great option. And I love how affordable it is! It’s also, to me, that perfect thickness. It’s for sure thicker than a thinline type but it’s not super bulky either. I’d say that uncompressed, it’s about 3/4" thick maybe.