We got what we asked for; there is now more flexibility than ever when it comes to pool noodles for bumpers. Hollow and solid are still allowed, and diameters between 2.125" and 2.75" are now allowed. I looked at one of our hollow noodles, and the hollow was about 1". So the range of actual foam area in a cross-section of noodle varies from around 2.8 in^2 (min diameter hollow) to 5.9 in^2 (max diameter solid). That’s quite a wide range.
Since the peak speeds of robots involved in head-on collisions are likely to be faster than ever this year given the new motors, translating to greater forces bumpers need to absorb and distribute than ever, this seems worth revisiting. What was good for the past may not be good now.
What are you using & why? Has anyone done high-force testing on pool noodles & yielded results worth sharing?
Make sure you pick your color strategically this year. According to our 2023 pit scouting data, blue and pink were by far the most common pool noodle colors.
We ordered these off Amazon and are happy with them
For anyone ordering from Oodles of Noodles, definitely order from their website. I called with questions last week and Dustin was amazingly helpful. Also, they have bulk discounts on the site, and you can mix/match colors to get to the bulk discount threshold (though at the time the site wasn’t cooperating, so just call and let them know that’s what you’re trying to do).
I had a notification from Fedex that my package was picked up within an hour or two of placing it, and it got here 2-3 days later. They do use USPS as well for smaller orders, which may or may not take longer. The threshold between small/large (USPS vs Fedex for the free shipping option) is around 4 packs of 6 hollow noodles.
Amazon orders will not ship through Amazon, so you’re bound by the same timeframe, but without the option for bulk discounts.
Happy to answer questions about my experience if anyone has any.
We always go local to a shop near the school. They have a variety of colors and sell for $2.95 a piece. I go in every winter and get to tell the nice cashier’s about the local robotics team and why we need so many noodles. Then I say bumpers and they say oh like battle bots and then blah blah blah. You get it.
This year they asked if we were having a pool party. I wish. It was 29° before wind-chill and it felt like walking on Hoth
No shipping cost, easy same day pickup and I can always call ahead to make sure they have enough. I always bring a tape measure and check them myself in store before I check out. They were all around 2 3/8 in diameter or just under depending on the bend from being in the box
Wind Surf and Sail Pools, not sure if they ship, I didn’t even know they had an online store tbh. But they’ve always been open in the winter because they sell spa supplies so it’s perfect for us to know the will still be open and have em in the middle of a Michigan winter.
The Amazon listing says that they’re 2.625", which aligns with our experience with the noodles we bought directly from their site. Overall very pleased with them.
Yeah @Zatack7 is right they are slightly undersized to what is listed. Honestly it depends on how close you are to sea level and how tightly you wrap them
If you heat weld your noodles together, then they will also shrink considerably towards each other. A slightly oversized noodle lands very close to a perfect 2.5" noodle after the heat gun treatment.
