Review of the New Cotton Padacheek

[Moogy]

I have been using the new cotton padacheeks for over a week now, and I want to report my results! Most of the time I use my Activa mask, so I got Padacheeks to fit the Activa.

The cotton padacheek is a high quality product that is a necessity for anyone who has trouble with facial marks from the pressure of the headgear. I rarely have any headgear marks myself, but I like the padacheeks anyway because they make the headgear more comfortable.

The cotton covering is nice and smooth, so it glides gently on the face when I move. The underlying fleece gives the pads some soft thickness--not enough to feel bulky, but plenty for increased comfort.

I had only one minor problem with my pair of cotton padacheeks. The stitches are coming a bit loose on the end where I tug to get them into place. The manufacturer tells me she is changing her construction method to eliminate this minor issue. (The review model I received was her test product, and she is improving it based on comments from those who tested it. I only wish ALL CPAP product manufacturers were so responsive to customer comments! )

A little wire tool is included to help you slide the padacheeks onto the straps. This little device is well designed and I got them on in a snap.

I often readjust the straps on my Activa. At first I thought the padacheeks might make the adjustments difficult, since they do cover the velcro closure. However, they are loose enough for me to slide them back off the closure whenever I want to readjust the velcro. And they are tight enough that they don't slip out of place accidently.

Yesterday I washed my padacheeks for the first time. They were not dirty yet, but I wanted to see how well they would survive the laundry. I threw them into the washer with other items, machine washed and machine dried. They came out looking great and even softer than before.

I hadn't ordered padacheeks before cotton was available, because I have trouble with some fabrics, and so I mostly wear cotton. I was delighted to have the chance to try out these new cotton padacheeks. Now I plan to order another set that will fit my alternate mask, the Mirage Swift!

If you are having problems with headgear strap discomfort or marks, you really should try this product. Even if you are NOT having these problems, you should consider them for their extra comfort.

Moogy

[tlawler]

I have also used my free sample of the cotton padacheeks and it works fine. I never reallly had a problem with the strap marks lasting too long on my face when I wake up in the morning, but I thought I would try Karen's product. They do make the straps a little more comfortable while sleeping.

The design is simple and I would think that any handy person with a sewing machine could make their own. I guess at Karen's price point, why be bothered to make your own.

One down side is that once a week or so. I clean the whole Swift (fully assembled) with baby shampoo and it dries before bedtime. Unless I remove the padacheeks, they are still damp after 12 hours to drip dry. I hate to disassemble my swift too often since most plastic wears out that way.

Good product overall at a reasonable price.

Tom

[Maryb]

I heard about this product on the message board and contacted Karen and bought one.
They are fabulous---soft cotton on your skin and just a little bit of fleece padding on the inside enough to prevent strap marks and yet not be bulky.
Plus Karen made mine in a lovely foresty green leaf pattern.
She is very nice to deal with.
I highly recommend this product and also Karen.

Maryb

[sarnadle_vector]

Where can they be purchased???

-sV
http://www.hearmesnore.com

[Maryb]

http://www.padacheek.com/

if the cotton ones aren't on the website yet, you can contact Karen directly via the email address listed there.

Maryb