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 Expert
Posts: 1631
   
Location: Somewhere around here | Ok so for the past few years 5 Star, Best Ever Pads, and other 100% wool pads have gained in popularity and made wool pads go up in price. What's the difference between a 5 Star and a 100% wool NRS roper pad, or Best Ever vs a Diamond Wool? I mean, I love the designs on the more expensive ones but I can't dish out $300 for a saddle pad when I can get the same thing that's less showy for $100. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 189
| I have had 5 star, best ever and diamond wool.
5 Star was hands down the best, best evers are nice and diamond wool was ok, more of a budget pad. If you had all three of them next to each other and felt them you would know what I am talking about. The 5 stars are super super soft and I did not have it pill at all. The best evers I have had have some pill.. and the diamond wool pads feel less wool-y and more like other fibers are in there.. idk hard to explain.. just my experience. I agree with you that the prices are thru the roof! I try to buy used but like new when ever possible to same some $$ |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| 5 Stars feel like no other pad. The second I opened the box on my first one I knew the difference. Get your hands on one and you'll understand.
Worth every penny. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
 
Location: Kansas | 5 star. I have a best ever, it's breaking down quickly
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| The difference is that none of the others you listed even compare to a 5 Star :) Well worth the investment as I have never had to worry about replacing one because it "broke down." |
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 Worst.Housekeeper.EVER.
Location: Missouri | I guess I'll be the odd one...
I have a 100% wool pad from NRS or Smith Bros...can't remember which. I bought it on sale for less than $100.
I like the feel of it better than my 5-Star. The 5-Star is very soft, which makes it very floppy.
But, I do like the deeper contour of the 5-Star better.
If a $300+ saddle pad isn't in your budget, I don't think you should feel bad about getting something cheaper. 
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Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | just4fun - 2016-03-17 8:55 AM I guess I'll be the odd one...
I have a 100% wool pad from NRS or Smith Bros...can't remember which. I bought it on sale for less than $100.
I like the feel of it better than my 5-Star. The 5-Star is very soft, which makes it very floppy.
But, I do like the deeper contour of the 5-Star better.
If a $300+ saddle pad isn't in your budget, I don't think you should feel bad about getting something cheaper.
I have one as well, but mine is teskeys. I love it, but mine is creme colored so I only use it for races. Love it! |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | The 5 stars are definitely not cheap. But I LOVE mine. Got my first one at Cowboy Christmas last December. Also got the liner which allows it to fit both of my horses without any pressure spots. I also have a Best Ever that started separating and wear leathers peeling after about 6 months. Plus, I always had dry spots on my mares withers. Aside from those two, I have a plethora of pads of different materials, thicknesses, memory foams, air cells, and what not types of technology. Not one of them can compare to the 5 Star in my opinion. I think there's a reason people continue to dish out the extra cash to buy them... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 634
| I love my best ever pad. I've had it about a year and I love it. I got the one with the extra pads for high withered horses, it hasn't broken down at all. |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | I have about ever pad in the history of the world. My 5 stars have held up the best. I currently have a Diamond Wool that I picked up because I needed something 'now' and it is so pilly its crazy! It doesn't have close to half the use of my 5 stars.
I hear you pads are expensive- it may cost you more up front at the time, but it will save you more in the long run. |
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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | I'm a pad junkie...I have a 5 Star that I use with a cutting saddle and it was about $250....I think it's the very best 100% wool pad I've ever owned, and I've had a lot of them over the years....I use CSI's on my barrel saddles, and the one with croc wear leathers was over $400, just a normal one is like $380 ...yikes!!....now they are pricey!!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 695
Location: Windoming | After using a 5 Star, I went out and bought another. I love them, hope my horses do too!
Edited by Silly Filly 2016-03-17 10:51 AM
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 Stinky Cat Owner
Posts: 4097
Location: Oregon | The ‘best’ one is subjective and a matter of opinion but it’s whatever fits your horse, your liking and your budget. |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | I am 'cheap' person so I love a deal. I had a best ever before, shoulders broke down quick! After the endless posts on here about 5 Star I came acrossed a deal I couldn't pass up ( $175 for a brand new 5 Star) and got one. Shortly after my friends suprised me on my Bday with a brand new Kush Best Ever Pad. I use the 5 Star for my every day riding, LOVE it. I only use the Best Ever on race days so it should last a long time. The Best Ever is all custom and I know it was far more $$ than the 5 Star cost me and I'm just one of those who think about cost all the time. When I am ready to splurge and purchase another pad for myself, it will be a 5 Star. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 518
| I have a Diamond wool that I've had for a few years. It only pills around the edges. I'm sure a "better brand" would be better but for the price I paid and the amount and type of riding I do I'm happy with it! I think your riding has a lot to do with what you need. I mostly take my horse out around the canals a few times a week. I no longer compete and don't do a lot of high stress work. If I did maybe this pad wouldn't be able to stand up to it.
I also have a classic equine pad, I only used it for 2 years but I loved it! It felt like higher quality than my Diamond Wool but I don't know how it stands up over time since I don't use it anymore.
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| I think there is more truth to the 5 Star sizing. I have a 3/4 and 7/8 and 1 inch 5 star, the 3/4 and 7/8 are at least 9-10 years old. Both are holding up exceptionally well. The 1 inch is 2 years old, so it's practially new!
I have a 1 inch Diamond wool pad that I bought cheap New on ebay. It seems much thinner than my 1 inch 5 star. It also doesn't feel as nice, and the edges are pilling a bit and I've used it for 2 years, just in the spring to keep the hair off of my 5 stars.
I'm getting ready to order another 5 star....in Turquoise. :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| hoofs_in_motion - 2016-03-17 9:03 AM
just4fun - 2016-03-17 8:55 AM I guess I'll be the odd one...
I have a 100% wool pad from NRS or Smith Bros...can't remember which. I bought it on sale for less than $100.
I like the feel of it better than my 5-Star. The 5-Star is very soft, which makes it very floppy.
But, I do like the deeper contour of the 5-Star better.
If a $300+ saddle pad isn't in your budget, I don't think you should feel bad about getting something cheaper.
I was in the area last weekend and went to Teskeys. Have to say, there pads feel just like the 5 stars, I felt both!! and they only cost like $60. Even if they do break down a little faster i could afford to buy 5 Teskeys. I am all for spending a little more to get something that will last forever and be comfortable for the ponies, but when you find something so close in quality for a fraction of the price its worth a try.
I also have an Ed Wright pad and it is holding up well. Paid I think $150 for it. It is not quite as soft as the 5 stars however.
Edited by horsiace1025 2016-03-17 11:31 AM
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Just because they are made from the same material doesn't mean they are the same quality. As with anything, be it clothes, tack, furniture, whatever, it's all essentially the same, but quality of materials and craftsmanship are what set them apart. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| I won z 5 star and also have a diamond wool. I really like the Diamond a little better. I have 4 Tod Spines for a LONG time they have been used a lot. They still look new and they are my favorites. |
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 Texas Taco
Posts: 7499
Location: Bandera, TX | I have two 5 Stars - one is about 7 years old, the other 5. Both are still in great shape with almost daily use over these years. The next pad will be another 5 Star. |
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