# Response pads questions **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [November 12, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022 "2025-11-12T01:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/1 "2025-11-12T01:37:10Z")
What are some “good” response pads? Is it wasteful to put good response pads on a cheap yoyo? Does it actually make a difference what brand the yoyo is or do most fit interchangeably? I’d like to make my yoyo give as little response as possible, but I don’t want to just remove the pads. What do? Thanks in advance for any info! ---
**Author:** ![Shapapy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shapapy/32/141199_2.png) [@Shapapy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shapapy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 1:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/2 "2025-11-12T01:57:00Z")
Most yoyos use the same standard 19mm sized pads unless specified otherwise. Some brands like One Drop and CLYW require their own pads due to the sizing of the response area. The main difference is in the hardness of the pads. Softer pads will have more grip and break in quicker and harder pads will be less grippy but last longer. If you look at the YYF pads, the description goes over the differences but I think it mostly comes down to softness/hardness. > **[YoYoFactory Response Pads](https://shop.yoyoexpert.com/products/yoyofactory-yoyo-response?variant=18870492228)** > > These are YoYoFactory made response by the Central Bearing Company (CBC) built to fit the majority of yo-yos available today from a wide array of manufacturers. CBC "Slim Pad" Size 19mm OD are now available in different versions: White Pads:The... ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/3 "2025-11-12T02:09:34Z")
Okay thank you! And YYF sell good response pads? Will they improve a cheaper yoyo? ---
**Author:** ![fradiger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fradiger/32/66850_2.png) [@fradiger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/fradiger)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/4 "2025-11-12T02:22:53Z")
> **[Hollywood Yoyo Pads 19mm Slim Pads Customizable Modern Yoyo Response S](https://modernyoyos.com/products/hollywood-pads-19mm-clear-slim-pads)** > > Hollywood Yoyo Pads were used by Justin Dauer to win US nationals 2024, and are the competition choice of many top professionals.  After a brief break-in period, Hollywood Pads (previously branded as mouse pads) ensure a snappy bind for a... the only pads I use at this point are the Shore 30 Black pads from hollywood modern yoyos Response pads vary in hardness determined by the ‘shore’ rating (higher = harder). Harder pads last longer but are less ‘grippy’, while softer pads wear faster but give you crisper binds and better throws. Softer pads can also get snaggy on certain yoyos, while harder pads on other yoyos can ‘slip’ on the throw and rob you of some spin power, so it definitely takes some experimentation (like finding your favorite yoyo string). ---
**Author:** ![Shapapy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shapapy/32/141199_2.png) [@Shapapy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shapapy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/5 "2025-11-12T02:23:26Z")
I was mainly using them as an example of different types of pads but yea they’re good. I’ve never really had a “bad” pad though. What is the cheap yoyo you’re trying to improve? ---
**Author:** ![ChrisFrancz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/chrisfrancz/32/48992_2.png) [@ChrisFrancz](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ChrisFrancz)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:45am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/6 "2025-11-12T02:45:22Z")
What about your yoyo are you trying to improve and like what was already asked, what yoyo are you trying to improve? ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/7 "2025-11-12T02:56:32Z")
So I have a skyva, offset variant, and a wildless 2. I like the skyva most response-wise, but I prefer the variant as it seems to spin longer and that gives me more time when learning a trick. BUT it always binds when I’m doing anything that has the front binding mount in it. And the skyva, I feel like if I could make it spin longer would be really good for learning ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/8 "2025-11-12T02:59:19Z")
Okay wow I didn’t even think about response pad during the throw. That actually makes this a lot more complex. Because I want longer spin on one yoyo and I want less response on another without changing the opposite quality on each ---
**Author:** ![fradiger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fradiger/32/66850_2.png) [@fradiger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/fradiger)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:02am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/9 "2025-11-12T03:02:56Z")
Binding in mounts like that can often highlight technique issues as well, I like to show people this video: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/e/2/e/e2e37f01a468edea3b08538147499689f71aa6c9.jpeg "Try Not To Snag Yoyo Challenge - 44Tutorials") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whjcPK0Bfbk) essentially these are some commonly ‘snaggy’ elements that you can learn to overcome slowly by smoothing out your hand motions. I find messing around with a few of these can help you identify if your pads are the issue or if its technique based, especially the ones at the later parts of the video (after like 1:30ish) since they’re conceptually simple but difficult to execute ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/10 "2025-11-12T03:06:22Z")
Also, now that you brought string up… lol … for example fat string could make a less responsive yoyo more responsive? So finding a middle ground between string and pad grip or lack thereof I could find a combination that works with how I’m playing? I assume that once I get deeper into tricks there are going to be various setups that work better or worse. Oy vey, I was already thinking shape was gonna be hard to decide on lol Good thing I enjoy tinkering lol ---
**Author:** ![fradiger](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/fradiger/32/66850_2.png) [@fradiger](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/fradiger)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/11 "2025-11-12T03:11:08Z")
exactly! though I think this applies more for yoyos that are picky about their setups (especially responsive yoyos), as you get more into the wider and more rim-weighted yoyos I find it matters a bit less and starts to become a personal preference kinda thing. That being said there’s definitely people on here that enjoy really thick nylon-based string and aren’t doing tricks that get a ton of wraps around the bearing, while on the other hand you have yoyoers who get into very intricate mounts and essentially require thinner string not to instantly have the yoyo bind up. IMO it’s something you gain a feel for over time and can be a bit of a ‘noob trap’ to beginners in the hobby, it’s important to remember people were doing a lot of the tricks you’re learning now on yoyos SIGNIFICANTLY worse than any of the ones you listed. Insert the classic line of “Gentry Stein won the US national yoyo contest on a $15 plastic yoyo”. So, if you like to tinker and stuff like this makes you excited, have at it, but keep in mind that in like.. 98% of cases it’s something that can be overcome with player skill (or changing your string/pads for fresh ones, they definitely do wear out) ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:13am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/12 "2025-11-12T03:13:10Z")
Got it! I think I actually was pinching the string when swinging the yoyo out and over trying to help it go lol I’ll have to try again and make sure ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/13 "2025-11-12T03:16:22Z")
Noob traps are a thing for me lol I like falling down rabbit holes. Always trying to find ways to improve things, guilty of blaming parts before user error; I admit, but it’s definitely exciting to experiment ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 3:32am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/14 "2025-11-12T03:32:11Z")
Okay, the Variant is binding without a pinch if I alter my hand heights at all in that front binding mount. Is that indicative that I need to wear in my pads? This yoyo is maybe 15 hours of use old Edit: nevermind I figured this out. Based on placement of the yoyo on the string and how much movement I’m able to move my hands without binding it ---
**Author:** ![washyjoshe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/washyjoshe/32/612061_2.png) [@washyjoshe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/washyjoshe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/15 "2025-11-12T13:56:58Z")
[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/7/3/8/7387977e715f06262d44b3688aff597f04025702.jpeg "Yoyo Bind Theory - The Truth Behind What Makes Binds Work.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogLZveJmKyw) Have you watched this video on binds? It explains the mechanics of how it works, and I was able to get multiple setups of mine to bind easier and cleaner after watching this. ---
**Author:** ![oddknox](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/oddknox/32/651898_2.png) [@oddknox](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oddknox)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/16 "2025-11-12T14:19:18Z")
Yeah, I’ve watched the bind theory video. It definitely helped out with binds. I’m trying to learn zipper. During either the barrel roll motion and the following over the top motion the yoyo binds. But it doesn’t bind normally during barrel rolls, so I’m definitely doing something wrong at either of these steps ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/17 "2025-11-12T18:49:12Z")
Honestly pads are pretty low priority as long as they fit and are the hardness you want any more thought isn’t necessary. Most pads are a standard medium shore and just fine some brands like Hollywood modern give you some options. Only real decision is if you want to go and silicone your own YoYo’s then it’s don’t go gray or clear… the correct answer is gray btw ---
**Author:** ![NuroVolt7](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nurovolt7/32/671908_2.png) [@NuroVolt7](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/NuroVolt7)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 7:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/response-pads-questions/436022/18 "2025-11-12T19:04:56Z")
> [@Captrogers](#): > > if you want to go and silicone your own YoYo’s then it’s don’t go gray or clear… the correct answer is gray btw Huh? Clarification please?