High jump landing mats
High jump mats for safe landings
High Jump Mats Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Landing Mat for Your Sports Facility
The high jump mat is the heart of every high jump facility. It ensures a safe landing and must therefore match the type of use, performance level and location. Depending on where it’s used, the requirements differ – for example between school sports, club training and permanently used athletics facilities. To help you find the right mat for your sports venue, this guide gives you a compact overview of all key points to consider when buying a high jump mat.
What are high jump mats?
- Which types of high jump mats are available?
- What’s the difference between high jump cushions and high jump mats?
- Material, size and height
- Damping and landing characteristics
- Weather resistance, safety and certification
- Do you need a non-slip underside?
- Transport, care and storage of high jump mats
- The most important buying criteria at a glance
1. What are high jump mats?
High jump mats are specially designed landing mats for the high jump. They form and cushion the landing area and are tailored to the specific demands of high jumping. It’s not just the surface area that matters, but also the damping, height, material quality and suitability for the intended use. In this way, high jump mats help reduce the risk of injury in both training and competition. Depending on the design, they consist of one or several foam cores with a protective cover.2. Which types of high jump mats are available?
High jump mats come in various designs. They differ mainly in size, height, construction and primary area of use. Before buying, you should be clear about where and how the mat will be used. Requirements vary between occasional school use, regular club training and intensively used sports facilities. Typical locations include school and education sports halls, club and athletics departments, as well as municipal sports grounds and supervised training areas. Different mat heights are used depending on the training level. While lower versions are usually sufficient for school sports, athletes in competition need higher high jump mats with an additional base or separate modules.The most important mat types are:
- Training mats: robust solutions for school sports and everyday training
- Competition mats: with multi-layer foam cores
- One-piece high jump mats: compact construction, often for smaller facilities
- Multi-piece high jump mats: practical for transport and larger installations
- Indoor models: for use in sports halls and protected environments
- Outdoor models: with a stronger focus on weather resistance
3. What’s the difference between high jump cushions and high jump mats?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday language, but they don’t always mean exactly the same thing. High jump mats are generally designed as a complete landing solution for the high jump. The term “high jump cushion” is often used more broadly or for individual mat elements. When buying, the name is less important than checking whether the product is actually designed as a suitable landing area for high jumping.
4. Material, size and height
Material, size and height are among the most important selection criteria. They influence safety, durability and suitability for the intended use.
++ Material
High jump mats usually have a foam core. The cover protects the core and should be hard-wearing and well finished. For outdoor use, it’s also important to choose materials that can withstand changing weather conditions.
++ Size
The mat must match both the intended use and the existing high jump facility. More compact solutions are often sufficient for schools, while larger landing areas can be beneficial for clubs or sports complexes.
++ How important is the height of a high jump mat?
Mat height is a key factor because, together with the internal construction, it determines the damping and landing behaviour. The right height helps ensure a safe landing. Which height is appropriate always depends on where the mat is used and the performance level of the athletes.
5. Damping and landing characteristics
Damping is one of the most important quality features of a high jump mat. It’s not just the thickness that counts, but above all the quality and configuration of the foam. A suitable high jump mat should reliably absorb the landing, avoid unnecessarily hard impacts, provide as even damping as possible and remain dimensionally stable even with regular use. Especially with frequent training or intensive use, it’s worth taking a close look at the foam core, construction and load capacity.
6. Weather resistance, safety and certification
When high jump mats are used outdoors, weather resistance is crucial. Moisture, UV radiation and temperature fluctuations can put long-term stress on the materials and cover.
++ Weather resistance
For outdoor facilities, mats and covers should be designed for this type of use. An additional cover can be useful to protect the mat from rain and dirt when not in use.
++ Safety
Key safety aspects include:
- sufficiently large landing area
- appropriate damping
- well-finished cover
- secure positioning of the mat
- good coordination with uprights and crossbar
++ Certification
For use in schools, clubs or on public sports facilities, you should ensure that the mat is suitable for the intended application and check which product-specific certificates or test reports are available.
7. Do you need a non-slip underside?
A safe, as non-slip as possible base is important so that the high jump mat stays in place and doesn’t shift unnecessarily during use. The best solution depends on the location, hall floor or outdoor surface. In general, you should ensure that:- the mat can be positioned securely
- the surface is level
- no wobbly or unstable support surface is created
- the entire landing area remains reliably usable
8. Transport of high jump mats
Before buying, check whether the high jump mat needs to be moved regularly. This is particularly relevant in schools, multi-purpose halls and facilities with changing uses.
Key questions include:
- Does the mat need to be moved between the hall and outdoor area?
- Is there sufficient storage space?
- Are transport rollers or carrying aids useful?
- Is a multi-piece solution more practical than a one-piece mat?
Practical tip: Careful handling during transport, regular maintenance and proper storage help extend the service life of your high jump mat and maintain its performance. Clean the cover after use and check the mat regularly for damage. Don’t forget to inspect seams, corners and zips.
9. The 8 most important buying criteria for high jump mats at a glance
A reliable damping effect, the right size and robust workmanship are key buying criteria for high jump mats. In addition, the mat should suit the intended area of use and, depending on the location, be easy to transport, store and, if necessary, protect outdoors.
1. Safety and damping: The mat must safely absorb the impact and allow for an even landing. Important factors are suitable foam quality, effective damping and a construction tailored to the demands of high jumping.
2. Size and dimensions: The dimensions of the high jump mat should match the facility and intended use. Larger mats offer more landing area and therefore more safety – especially in school and club sports.
3. Area of use: Not every high jump mat is suitable for every application. Requirements can differ for schools, clubs or elite sports – for example in terms of load, training intensity and desired comfort.
4. Material and cover: A robust, hard-wearing cover is essential for long-term use. Tear-resistant top materials, high-quality workmanship and a cover that’s easy to clean are particularly practical.
5. Weather resistance for outdoor use: If the high jump mat is used outdoors, it must be designed for this purpose. Weather-resistant covers and a suitable protective cover are especially important here.
6. Handling and transport: Depending on where it’s used, ease of handling also plays a major role. Carrying handles, a well-thought-out format and, if necessary, divisible elements make transport, set-up and storage easier.
7. Workmanship and durability: Neat seams, strong connections and overall high-quality workmanship are indicators of reliable everyday use. With frequent use in particular, robust quality pays off.
8. Suitable accessories: It’s also worth looking at matching accessories, such as protective covers, spike protection sheets or solutions that make moving and storing the mat easier.
Do you have questions about a specific high jump mat or want to equip a complete high jump facility? Feel free to contact us by phone or send us an email via our contact form.