I'm looking to replace my bolt-on yoke pads with some padding fixed on the yoke itself. Tempted to cut some closed cell foam and glue it on the yoke, then came across the gel-pad version that Swift sells as an accessory.
Feedback from anyone who's used one of these would be helpful; padding comfort is key for me.

I use a very similar pad made by Level Six, and it works extremely well--way more comfortable than whatever block pads were on a NW17 some friends rented.

I second the level six pad. Works great and is pretty much the same as the swift but cheaper.

Looks like that would work... the Swift uses a gel foam of some sort, which I expect allows it to conform to your shoulders; the Level Six says theirs is "customizable foam".
I'm imagining it's a closed cell foam of some type; is it more on the plush side, or firm?

tranquilwaters67: is it more on the plush side, or firm? "

I would say it is right in the middle leaning towards plush.

I have a Swift yoke pad, and I really like it. The gel padding is really comfortable, and it secures very well to the yoke. The build is also very solid; would not hesitate to recommend it.

I looked at the swift pad…per Frenchy19 suggestion, but the shipping from Canada was more than the price of the actual product. Is there anywhere else to order it other than from Swift? I just can’t believe it costs almost $40 to ship for a $35 product. I wasn’t able to select a different shipping method either. I’ll try to contact them maybe.

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timatkn: "I looked at the swift pad…per Frenchy19 suggestion, but the shipping from Canada was more than the price of the actual product. Is there anywhere else to order it other than from Swift? I just can’t believe it costs almost $40 to ship for a $35 product. I wasn’t able to select a different shipping method either. I’ll try to contact them maybe.
T"

Might start with Rutabaga Paddlesports. They're a Swift dealer and may have them in stock.

Rutabaga has the swift knockoff :) helium level 6, might try that out.

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tranquilwaters67: " I'm looking to replace my bolt-on yoke pads with some padding fixed on the yoke itself. Tempted to cut some closed cell foam and glue it on the yoke, then came across the gel-pad version that Swift sells as an accessory.
Feedback from anyone who's used one of these would be helpful; padding comfort is key for me."

If you're still on here, wanted to revive this and see if you ended up getting that Helium 6 or Swift and if you liked it? I just finished up making my own solo yoke but since canoe is only 30lbs I'm not sure I wanna clamp on the Bourquins just yet considering their cost and weight, might be overkill.

No experience using with the pads mentioned, but I have a 55# royalex canoe with contoured yoke and have looked at the pads mentioned. I attached this pad for a trip (folded so it's about 1” foam) to the yoke with (2) bungee dealee bobs. The pad ran the whole length of the yoke. It was very comfortable for a 175 rod portage. The pad is very multi-functional at camp too. I'd think this would be perfect on a 30# canoe with contoured yoke.

Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad - 1/8"
https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/accessories/products/thinlight-foam-pad?variant=40134759612470

dsmith1979: "No experience using with the pads mentioned, but I have a 55# royalex canoe with contoured yoke and have looked at the pads mentioned. I attached this pad for a trip (folded so it's about 1/2" foam) to the yoke with (2) bungee dealee bobs. The pad ran the whole length of the yoke. It was very comfortable for a 175 rod portage. The pad is very multi-functional at camp too. I'd think this would be perfect on a 30# canoe with contoured yoke.

Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad - 1/8"
https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/accessories/products/thinlight-foam-pad?variant=40134759612470

"

I'll check that out, looks promising. I have the same bungies. How well does it stay in place?

I just folded the pad like done in the picture and see there’s 8 layers (1”). It did not move on the deep dish yoke. I will use this plan again.

"If you're still on here, wanted to revive this and see if you ended up getting that Helium 6 or Swift and if you liked it? I just finished up making my own solo yoke but since canoe is only 30lbs I'm not sure I wanna clamp on the Bourquins just yet considering their cost and weight, might be overkill."

I still check in now and then; more time on backcountry ski forums this time of year. I haven't gotten any pads yet, my carries have been short and I prefer simply shouldering the canoe (3 lbs) in those cases. I'll need to get more serious about the yoke situation at some point though.

I bought the level six, I did a very short portage…I am not 100% convinced. My canoe is only 34# and it still didn’t feel like much padding. It didn’t feel bad, but the little I used it and the little I portaged probably wasn’t a good test.

Portage pads are highly subjective YMMV.

T