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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 410
| Which one? My saddles fit good just looking for a good pad. Don't need anything too thick. I love how the wade pads look but not crazy about having to wait for a custom made one. Which would you recommend? |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
  
Location: PNW | I've ridden with both, and I prefer my 5star 98% of the time.
My Wade is the 2000 series and it is VERY stiff. It rubbed my horses in some spots because it does 0 conforming to their shape. Especially if your saddles fit well, I would DEFINITELY recommend a 5star before a Wade.
The only horse I'll ride my Wade on is my super flat backed bulldoggy built gelding because he doesn't have much shape that needs to be conformed too. No way, no how does the Wade work on my racey-built gelding who had big shoulders and high withers. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 410
| Thank you! I am leaning toward the 5 star because the price too. Yes I have race bred horses they have big shoulders not extremely high withers but one has pretty prominent ones. so I was kind of worried that the wades do look really stiff |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 410
| Also what thickness do you recommend on the 5 star? I am leaning toward the 3/4 inch but not sure. |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I have a 1/2 inch that I use on my big bulldoggy gelding, with a CJ by Cactus Saddle.
And on my race built gelding I use a 3/4 or 7/8 under an Ultra Rocket saddle. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I was asking for saddle pad help a couple weeks ago and went ahead and did my own thing after considering all my options. I just got myself a 3/4" diamond wool brand pad (on sale for $40 bucks) it's contoured, very soft but not overly floppy, and I feel like it takes the pressure and absorbs the impact or whatever very well. I put my hand under a single layer of it and stood on it and it didn't hurt me. |
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 Super Bumper
Posts: 3392
Location: At the Brownderosa | Been extremely happy with my 5Star pads - I use 3/4" thick barrel pad under my MM Cactus saddle that fits her extremely well. :) |
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 Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Alberta | I have used both and I would pick my 5 Star over my Wade any day. The Wade pads are very stiff and I found that after using it on one horse for a long time it is conformed to that horse, who I no longer have, and doesn't work with any of my other horses. I like how the 5 Stars are softer and in my opinion they are better for the horses backs. My 5 Star is 7/8" thick |
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 Been Blessed
Posts: 7587
Location: Living in my Promised Land | 5 Star |
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | I love my 5 Stars...was NOT a fan of the Wade pads. |
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 Big Gun
Posts: 2216
Location: Texas | well I just ordered a wade so I hope my horse likes it. I paid a pretty penny for it, but I have a 5 star too, its a 3/4" and wish I would have gotten a 7/8. When I first got it I thought it was a 1/2 it looked so thin compaired to my 3/4 todd sloan pad but the TS pads opens up so much it looks more like an inch |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | 5 Star makes me and my horses pretty darn happy.  |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| I'm a 5 star gal all the way. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1045
| LOVE my 5 stars =) |
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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I have both. I prefer my Wade.
It all boils down to personal preference. There is only one way you will know which one you like better :)
I do believe you stand a much higher chance being happier with the 5 star. Many ppl dont like the stiffness of the Wades, but less ppl complain about the 5 stars..... |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I've not tried a Wade, and I just got a 5 Star and have yet to try it. But I heard so many good things about the 5 Star that when I had an opportunity to buy one, I did. :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 956
Location: Washington | Personally...5 Star. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I have used Wade pads for quite a long time. I was recently an MC for the Horseman's Re Union event in California, and they gave those of us involved custom pads from Best Ever. These are all felt with wear leathers and corners. I was not sure I was on board until I rode it for the event. I think I am hooked on how it conformed to the horse and the feel of contact that it provided. I can't tell how it will hold up, but so far I like it a lot.
Edited by winwillows 2014-05-20 11:35 AM
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
Location: Montana | I tried my 5 Star yesterday and I love it! NO slip whatsoever. |
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 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | winwillows - 2014-05-20 12:32 PM
I have used Wade pads for quite a long time. I was recently an MC for the Horseman's Re Union event in California, and they gave those of us involved custom pads from Best Ever. These are all felt with wear leathers and corners. I was not sure I was on board until I rode it for the event. I think I am hooked on how it conformed to the horse and the feel of contact that it provided. I can't tell how it will hold up, but so far I like it a lot.
Best Ever is pretty much the same thing as a 5 Star, only with more LOOKS options but not as many thickness options. They're pretty, but I prefer function over looks and they don't make anything thinner than 3/4 inch. Their pretty pads are over 1 inch thick. That's excessive in my opinion. At least for a barrel horse. And their prices just aren't as good as 5 Stars.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 5 Stars. They hold up VERY well over time, are not stiff, and protect the horse's back very well. We haven't had any back soreness issues, and neither me nor my husband are very lightweight. I use a 1/2 inch. I have a 3/4 I ordered custom, but it doesn't fit under my current saddle as well as the 1/2 inch. If your saddle fits, I wouldn't think you would need a huge thick pad.
Judging from photos of Wade pads I've seen, I wouldn't like them. Too stiff looking right out of the box. My 5 Star is soft and conforms to the horse right out of the box. LOVE them.
Edited by hlynn 2014-05-22 4:34 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I felt the same way about the thickness on the Best Ever pads until I rode it. I would not have bought one because of that, but this one was free and I was expected to use it as they had put the Horseman's Re Union logo on one corner and the Renew Gold logo on the other. So, I left a Wade in the tack compartment, and saddled up. They really compress under you so they are not nearly as thick as they seem. They don't slip because of that, and conform well. Like I said above, I may be hooked depending on how it holds up.
Edited by winwillows 2014-05-22 6:37 PM
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I have 2 friends one had a 5 star and other one had a tod slone both had black ones. I was talking to one of my friends about her pad. She said she a gotton a couple one being a black one and she told me she had to call the people back as the black one had gotton a spot on the underside that had worn a blad spot under the saddle of her horse but she called them and sent pics of the horse and saddle pad they are replacing the pad. Also then was talking to another friend and was telling the story that i,told you and she said another friend had a black tod slone and i know they are quality pad also in the color black was wearing a blad spot on her horse. Just kinda wierd 2 people, 2 different quality pads one color, must be something inmthe dying process that make the wool hard i know the gray is soft. Just thinking. |
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
Location: Broxton, Ga | RoadToVegas - 2014-05-18 12:42 AM Also what thickness do you recommend on the 5 star? I am leaning toward the 3/4 inch but not sure.
7/8ths
love 5 star
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A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | daisycake123 - 2014-05-22 9:52 PM
I have 2 friends one had a 5 star and other one had a tod slone both had black ones. I was talking to one of my friends about her pad. She said she a gotton a couple one being a black one and she told me she had to call the people back as the black one had gotton a spot on the underside that had worn a blad spot under the saddle of her horse but she called them and sent pics of the horse and saddle pad they are replacing the pad. Also then was talking to another friend and was telling the story that i,told you and she said another friend had a black tod slone and i know they are quality pad also in the color black was wearing a blad spot on her horse. Just kinda wierd 2 people, 2 different quality pads one color, must be something inmthe dying process that make the wool hard i know the gray is soft. Just thinking.
I have 4 black 5 Stars and I've never had an issue. |
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 Paper Snob
Posts: 2035
Location: Oklahoma | I LOVE my 5 Star pads, I have 4 of them...3 custom done & ordered from Deanna..Rocky Road here on BHW. I looked at a used Wade pad the other day at a barrel race. The ppl had just taken it off their horses & I was interested to compare. They were stiff, you couldn't bend them at all & just didn't feel like they would be comfortable on a horse. The 5 Star's on the other hand, no matter how old & used they have ALWAYS remained soft & durable....holding their shape while still supporting. Wouldn't trade mine for ANYTHING!! |
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 Star Padded Honey
Posts: 8890
Location: NW MT | Comparing Wades to 5 Stars is like comparing apples to oranges - both are saddle pads, but that is where it ends. I've not personally tried a Wade, but have many customers tell me that they do not like that the Wades do not conform to their horses' backs - they stay stiff - & many complain about them rubbing their horses too. The 5 Star is the only one w/100% VIRGIN (never used) wool & is very soft, but also has the highest compression/concussion rating. If you would like more info & our current sale prices, please feel free to message me. 
Edited by Rockyroad 2014-05-27 3:59 PM
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Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I think when in doubt or unsure, 5 star is probably a safer bet. I personally don't like how soft they are sometimes but I do like the one I have. I still prefer my Wade but I only use it on one horse. |
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 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | missroselee - 2014-05-27 8:50 AM I think when in doubt or unsure, 5 star is probably a safer bet. I personally don't like how soft they are sometimes but I do like the one I have. I still prefer my Wade but I only use it on one horse.
I agree, I do not like the softness of the 5 star pad. I ride a lot so the 5 stars dont last. If i was riding one horse for 20-30 min 2-3 times a week it may have lasted a year. I ride 3-4 horses 6 days a week and have 3 wades now. I have one wade per horse as it does conform to that particular horses back. Mine have never rubbed any horse but i also had all 3 custom made. Maybe the others are too long? |
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5 star pad or Wade?