Concept2 Forum

I recently purchased the Salamander gel rowing seat from Adirondack Rowing.<br /><br />I have found it to be basically worthless. The gel gets displaced so quickly that after less than 10 minutes there is virtually nothing left under the part of your butt that matters except for the cover on the pad.<br /><br />Does anybody know of a seat pad that provides protection for more than a few minutes?<br /><br />Thanks.

<!--QuoteBegin-Galt+Oct 19 2005, 07:25 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Galt @ Oct 19 2005, 07:25 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I recently purchased the Salamander gel rowing seat from Adirondack Rowing.<br /><br />I have found it to be basically worthless.  The gel gets displaced so quickly that after less than 10 minutes there is virtually nothing left under the part of your butt that matters except for the cover on the pad.<br /><br />Does anybody know of a seat pad that provides protection for more than a few minutes?<br /><br />Thanks. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I just got the Concept 2 sells on the website. Its alot more comfortable than the bare seat.. so for me its $2.95 well spent.. Of course I only row 8k - 12K at a time, so I don't know what it would feel like for 1/2 and full marathons.. <br /><br />SF

<!--QuoteBegin-Sleepy_Floyd+Oct 19 2005, 07:54 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Sleepy_Floyd @ Oct 19 2005, 07:54 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Galt+Oct 19 2005, 07:25 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Galt @ Oct 19 2005, 07:25 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I recently purchased the Salamander gel rowing seat from Adirondack Rowing.<br /><br />I have found it to be basically worthless.  The gel gets displaced so quickly that after less than 10 minutes there is virtually nothing left under the part of your butt that matters except for the cover on the pad.<br /><br />Does anybody know of a seat pad that provides protection for more than a few minutes?<br /><br />Thanks. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I just got the Concept 2 sells on the website. Its alot more comfortable than the bare seat.. so for me its $2.95 well spent.. Of course I only row 8k - 12K at a time, so I don't know what it would feel like for 1/2 and full marathons.. <br /><br />SF <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I agree, it's a bargain at $2.95, although it's still a little uncomfortale when doing hour rows. I imagine stacking two or three, which would be easy because of the adhesive already applied, would give one more padding and comfort for an extended row (HM or FM).<br />

We have that foam pad.<br /><br />I have a real bony backside and need something a little more substantial.<br /><br />I usually use some folded towels which work fine, but they are a pain in the butt in the boat.

I use a gel seat made for exercise bikes that I bought at REI. It the biggest one I could find and does fit on the erg seat with some coaxing. Somewhere in the brand name is 'Pain'. It has chambers so the gel doesn't move around much. I have used it for 2 years now and it isn't worn out yet.<br /><br />I generally erg between 12,000 and 20,000m per session and I couldn't do it without the gel seat.<br /><br />On my recommendataion Brianrc got one but he said it didn't work for him. I don't remember what the problem was. Maybe you could buy his. They retail for about $30.<br /><br />grams

We have had several discussions about butt pads in the past. I have the C2 foam one and think it is useless. I only use a pad for rowing a marathon, but I do hurt after an hour or longer. In the past, I think someone recommended this one, but I don't know if anyone has posted back a review:<br /><br /><br /><a href='http://www.row2k.com/rowingmall/index.c ... 0Row%20Pad' target='_blank'>skwoosh pad</a><br /><br />See this thread for example (but search for skwoosh to get lots of other threads too):<br /><br /><a href='http://concept2.ipbhost.com/index.php?s ... hl=skwoosh' target='_blank'>seat pad</a>

I've found the "<a href='http://www.rowersworld.com/Store/Rowing ... re_seatpad' target='_blank'>Sore No More</a>" pad to be helpful.<br /><br />It's not very thick and the material isn't all that soft, but it gives a little more padding than you'd otherwise get from the C2 seat (especially some of the Model D seats I've used).

I bought the Skwoosh pad, but don't think it's very good. I combined it with a foam garden knee pad and it's better. If you're not using slides you have to tape the pads to the seat or you might suffer some rail rash. <br /><br />The pad I use now is a padded laptop zipper case (from Case Logic) with a folded piece of bubble wrap inside. It's good for 40k+ rows without pain.<br /><br />Yeah yeah I know, I've been slacking awhile, work has not been kind to me for months. But I do check the forum every day!<br />

I have been using the Sea Line Discovery Kayak Seat Cushion for a couple years now and it works great. Its a self- inflating seat pad that is shaped perfectly for the Concept2 erg. You can deflate it and roll it up to tuck in your gym bag or even a coat pocket. Its also great for sitting on cold metal bleachers during sports events. <br /> The down side -- its not cheap. I bought two from LL Bean several years ago for $30 each. I recently purchased another one as a gift recently from Campmor for $26. LL bean doesn't carry them anymore and they're not in Campmor's catalog. You can order them online or over the phone from Campmor.<br /> If you do a web search for "Kayak Cushion", you'll find several places where you can get them.<br /> Its much better than bubble wrap.

Thanks all, I appreciate it.

Well, I use a folded towel. Works fine for me.<br />Peter

If you can get hold of some black foam insulation it's about an inch thick, it works pretty well. Also you could try wearing biking shorts when you row, if you get good ones with gel padding in the butt, it may work.<br /><br />good luck<br />