Best Recoil Pads: Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Although there are various ways to help reduce rifle and shotgun recoil, many people overlook an obvious option: recoil pads. They are more budget-friendly than a muzzle device, and they also solve the kickback issues you might have with a shotgun that a brake doesn’t address. 

Take a look at our best recoil pad picks below and pursue the buyer’s guide to help you determine which type is best for your shooting needs.

Comparison Table of The 5 Best Recoil Pads

Effects of Recoil 

There is an equal and opposite reaction for every action, and all that pressure built up behind your bullet has to release eventually. When it does, it follows the projectile it has been pushing, releasing quickly and quite violently, which causes your gun to absorb that energy and move backward or “kickback” in response. 

If you are holding your gun correctly, you will feel this through your shoulder, and occasionally it can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Why Use a Recoil Pad?

The discomfort you feel is the energy transfer through the firearm to your body. The higher the caliber bullet, the more energy you will feel. If the experience becomes painful, it can lead to many issues with your accuracy, aim, and shooting enjoyment. 

Ignoring growing recoil discomfort can lead to flinching, overcompensation, and target acquisition problems. It may lead to habits that are hard to break, so it is essential to nip that in the bud if you feel a growing discomfort. 

Although muzzle brakes and compensators are designed to help offset gas release to reduce recoil up to 50%, they aren’t allowed in all scenarios. May outfitters, for example, ask that you please remove them before a hunt. 

Shotgun projectiles are not driven from the same type of pressurized gasses, making “brake-like” solutions somewhat useless and difficult to come by. 

A recoil pad is often the solution you want to offset any pressure you may feel from recoil in any shooting scenario. 

Recoil Pad Buyer’s Guide

Not all recoil pads are made the same, and it is essential to get what fits your gun and what is preferable to your shooting style and comfort needs. Pads fit the stock, or buttstock, of rifles and shotguns and can come in many different types and materials. 

Mount Style

There are three main ways a recoil pad fits onto the stock of your gun: Slip-on, grind to fit, and precision fit. The different mounting options and price points may help determine which you feel is best. 

Design

Besides how a pad fits on your stock, you also need to consider the material design. Depending on how they are made and what they are made with, they affect energy absorption and transfer. There are two types to consider: rigid or gel-filled. 

Rigid vs. Gel Filled 

Rigid pads are simple and effective and are made from rigid polymer rubber. They are less cushioning than others but are designed for energy dissipation and natural vibration dampening. 

Gel-filled pads are made of neoprene and lycra and are filled with a thick gel-like substance. The design helps to reduce vibration and absorb energy and also provides padding that confirms more quickly to your shoulder. 

Added Features

Other things to consider are internal atmospheric chambers that help dissipate energy. This is common in rigid pad designs. Gel-filled options also may provide a customized fit with pockets of gel situation to allow you to move them for a better fit. 

Some pads also have an ammunition holder for quick access to more rounds when needed. This can be especially helpful when hunting with a shotgun since most states limit how many you can have loaded. 

What Your Budget Will Get You

Recoil pads come in a range of budget options. Everything from a standard to a basic rigid pad may start at $10, while a $30+ choice may provide customization and thicker padding. The important thing is to find the pad that fits both your gun and your shooting needs. 

Our Top Recoil Pad Picks

There are a lot of recoil pads out there to pick from, and our top choices are gathered from consumer feedback as favored options concerning price points, ease of use, and effectiveness. When buying, be sure to watch for sizing and brand specificity. Some pads are universal in design and simply need to match buttstock dimensions, while others are precision fit to a particular stock or gun. 

Created for fast shouldering, the no-snag design offers a wear-resistant easy glide surface coating to reduce friction when in use. The recoil absorption is maximized by the synthetic NAVCOM material and anti-muzzle jump technology for fast and accurate follow-up shots. 

The two-chambered system within the pad helps direct the recoil force downwards and distribute the power of the shot. This helps control the angle of felt energy and reduces muzzle jump by up to 50%. This is a grind-to-fit option for custom installation and fit. 

This grind-to-fit option provides a more customized fit for a wide range of brand firearms. They also come in various series specific to different shooting needs, so be sure to check out the range of products offered to find the perfect match. Concave faces, double-layered designs, and canting are all options you can choose from. 

Made from a soft, springy Sorbothane polymer, they provide excellent contouring and energy dissipation to negate recoil and help control muzzle flip. Easy to grind and shape, the designs of these pads work to control energy transfer and compress within the pad to avoid passing it on to you. 

Made from Limbsaver’s proprietary NAVCOM synthetic material, this recoil pad is designed for synthetic Magpul stocks to reduce felt recoil and increase the accuracy of follow-up shots with the control over the muzzle jump it provides. This is an excellent choice for a huge range of caliber options with the ability to reduce up to 60% of felt recoil. 

Created for outdoor use in harsh environmental conditions, it is a durable, long-lasting choice and has a non-slip surface. The pad provides a soft give without compression and deep contouring, allowing for an even distribution of energy for a more comfortable shooting scenario. 

For use on flat buttstocks, the high-quality Galco recoil pads are made from soft, supple leather and filled with a half-inch thick shock-absorbing gel pad for a 50% felt recoil reduction. The easy-to-use pad slips over the end of your buttstock and secures with an overlapping hook and loop fastener to keep it snug and in place. 

Durable and long-lasting, it offers a non-slip surface and can be used on multiple firearms due to how easy it is to install and remove. Be sure to measure correctly for fit and sizing to avoid troubles with slipping over the stock or being too loose. 

This slip-on style recoil pad has an affordable and friendly price point, making it our budget pick. Available in either a black or brown color, it comes in two sizes: small or medium, so be sure to measure correctly for a snug fit. Made from a polymer and rubber, it slips effortlessly over your buttstock to provide an effective decelerator pad face that cushions recoil for a more comfortable shooting scenario. 

The slick polymer face allows for easy shouldering, and the heel contouring helps avoid snags for effortless use. The flexible side material holds it snug without movement and offers a grip for all weather conditions for improved control. 

Wrapping It Up

Although we placed the grind-to-fit options as our top two picks since they offer customization, all the highlighted products are tried and true and provide effective recoil reduction and muzzle control for both shotgun and rifle choices. 

Recoil pads are an excellent way for all shooters to dissipate felt energy in an affordable manner. They can be used independently or with a muzzle device to further control your shooting comfort. 

We’d love to hear what recoil pads are your favorite and which of these you can’t wait to try out. Leave your comments below, and, as always, please share.