A Simple Question with a Complicated Answer: What is the Best Splash and Ride Slide to Buy?
Major purchases are almost never fun. Well, at least not in the beginning anyway. You’ll usually approach them with more questions than answers, and it’s hard finding all of that information in one place. So we’re going to do our best to answer one question in particular—what is the best splash and ride slide to buy?—as thoroughly as we can.
Splash and Ride slide generally come in one of two primary styles. There are traditional “flat” splash and ride slides, like the ones popular in backyards in the 80’s and 90’s. Then you have modern inflatable splash and ride slides. And while these two styles are similar in a lot of ways, their differences are where you’ll find yourself making a decision.
There really isn’t a “one slide fits all” answer to the question of which splash and ride slide is best (see what we did there?). Old school splash and ride slides and inflatable splash and ride slides each have distinct pros and cons, with almost as much separating them as making them similar. So let’s take some time to explore these differences so you can figure out which style is best for your family.
Traditional Splash and Ride Slide
Those “old school” splash and ride slides, like the simple yellow ones popular in the past, are certainly the cheaper option. You can get them for as little as $20 to $100. But as is true with all products, you definitely get what you pay for.
Traditional splash and ride slides roll out on the ground, and you’ll feel that ground as you’re sliding down them. Unless your yard is in picture-perfect condition, it won’t be a comfortable experience. You need to be careful that kids don’t flop down on them, as it can lead to injury. And their water systems are usually cheap and break down frequently.
These slides are good for families that might only use them once in a great while. But they rarely, if ever, last longer than one summer. They can’t affordably be repaired if something goes wrong, though they’re cheap enough to simply replace.
It’s usually the sprinkler that goes first in these units, especially the ones you find for less than $100. They’re designed for casual, occasional use, and tend to get clogged up with dirt and mud regularly. Cleaning these splash and ride slides is essential, and it may not get rid of that clogging when it happens.
Pros:
- Very cheap
- Easy to set up
- Fun, though not very comfortable
Cons:
- Very cheap; you get what you pay for
- Wears down and breaks easily
- Difficult or even impossible to repair
- Cleaning the sprinklers is a pain
- Higher risk of injury
Inflatable Splash and Ride Slide
Inflatable splash and ride slides are like traditional ones, only bigger, fancier, and quite frankly better in most respects.
Rather than a thin sheet of plastic rolled out on the ground, inflatable splash and ride slides (well, the ones we sell here at Pogo anyway) are made from heavy duty vinyl. You inflate the splash and ride slide with an air blower, creating a soft, comfy bed of air to slide on.
Inflatable splash and ride slides are more comfortable than their old school siblings; you’re sliding on air, so you aren’t feeling the lumps and bumps in the ground beneath. They’re a lot safer, too. And best of all, inflatable splash and ride slides don’t require soap to get slippery. Their material makes them slippery when you add water.
Issues with the sprinklers are taken care of too. The sprinklers in an inflatable splash and ride slide are raised off the ground in the inflatable structure, and posted above the slide area. So the water is distributed more evenly, and flows a lot smoother as well. And given that it’s not on the ground, you won’t experience rutting or big dry spots from unexpected inclines.
The durability enhancements don’t end there, either. The heavy duty vinyl makes these splash and ride slides vastly superior in terms of longevity and durability. Cared for properly, an inflatable splash and ride slide can last for many years.
Pros:
- Safer
- More comfortable
- Considerably more durable and longer lasting
- Better distribution of water across the sliding area
- Easier to clean
- Can be easily repaired
- A lot more fun for longer periods of time
Cons:
- More expensive
- Heavier and harder to set up
- Takes up more space in your yard
So What is the Best Splash and Ride Slide to Buy, Then?
Choosing the best splash and ride slide for your family will boil down to a few important factors. So let’s go over a few of these, and help you choose which is best for you!
What’s your yard like? An inflatable splash and ride slide needs more space than a regular splash and ride slide. And if your yard is bumpy (but still flat), the inflatable splash and ride slide is definitely the better, safer choice.
How often will you use your splash and ride slide? Cheaper traditional splash and ride slides are good for occasional saturday summertime fun, but you’ll be better served by an inflatable splash and ride slide if you’re setting up more than twice a month. And the inflatable variant will easily outlast the simpler one, too.
Will you have help setting it up? Vinyl crossover and commercial inflatables are large, heavy, and cumbersome. You should definitely have an adult helper when setting them up, taking them down, and cleaning them.
What’s your budget? Inflatable splash and ride slides are definitely better in nearly every way. But they’re also more expensive. They’re certainly worth the added money if you plan on using it frequently or regularly, but this will be an important factor to weigh as well.
If you decide to buy an inflatable splash and ride slide, give Pogo a call at 716-566-5806. We’d love to walk you through some excellent, fun options and help you find the perfect splash and ride slide your whole family will enjoy. We carry both professional commercial grade splash and ride slides, and our exclusive line of consumer grade vinyl crossovers. So let’s chat and find you the best splash and ride slide to buy for your family!
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