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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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