Crawler foams and inserts query

[BashingBrian]

So, I’ll just begin by saying I don’t have any great rock crawling spots anywhere nearby and in no way am I a crawling pro.!!

What I want to know though is what is a better choice for inserts, foams or those silicone type.??
Also is it best to run harder or duals in the rears (someone once advised me of this)

It makes sense to me to run a harder rear so the truck doesn’t sag in the rear once the truck gets a rear load upon climbing.?

Currently I have a mix of all of the above, foams, dual foams, hand cut foams(star shape) and three different silicone hardnesses, my problem is I just don’t crawl enough to see a positive/negative difference between all the variations.

And don’t start me on vented or not vented, this is something else I don’t really understand other than if you run in water non vented could be better, but on the flip side, if you have silicones water would have no issues.!?!?

I have a various selection of trucks too, from TRX4’s right up to Vanquish’sss and some inbetween

So, please, let’s explain, discuss and figure out what are the best options for all scenarios in crawling/trailing

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

It has everything to do with weight, tire conforming and traction.

In my light weight stuff I'll run vented tires and open cell single stage foams so the tire can compress and grab the rocks.

The higher the weight, the more the foam or insert needs to support; It's like turning air pressure in 1:1 or bike tires.

I have a set of inserts on order to try along with a different set of tires, this is for a light weight Redcat Ascent Apex 18.
At the last crawl day someone had those exact inserts I ordered, they're the Super Soft by Injora. I could tell by touching this guys truck that they will be to stiff for my liking.

This is just my opinion based on crawling on my local terrain (lime stone quarry, indoor spot made with the same material).

 

[Mike4xdriver]

To start, I'm no comp crawler. I run the creek bed on my property so my experience is very limited
I've been playing with foam and silicone inserts, and venting.
Your terrain has a major factor to how you set up your tires.
Silicone inserts add a lot of weight down low where you want it and are great for vented tires if you run in water.
With silicone you need to make sure they are the correct size for your wheel/tire combo. I tried running a set on wider wheels and they don't stay centered on the wheel.

I run foams and don't vent my tires.
When I assemble my wheels/tires I try and make sure there's no pressure in the tire, trying to make the foams do what they're intended to.

 

[Doom!]

I have been using silicone inserts in my 1/10 and under, and 3D printed inserts (3bros) in my 1/6. Has worked well for me, but I'm also not a serious comp guy. An advantage to silicone inserts is they don't get moldy and break down if they get wet.

 

[BashingBrian]

With silicone you need to make sure they are the correct size for your wheel/tire combo. I tried running a set on wider wheels and they don't stay centered on the wheel.

This may be a stupid question, but, how do you know you have the right width silicone insert for your wheel?? what do I need to measure and where.

 

[PonkyKong]

The silicone inserts are color coded for weight load. And you need to match the sizes. Injora makes great tires now. The S3 for durability and the S5 compound for stickiness. If you need tires also. The premium option is 3d printed inserts from Joe or others. For comp trucks.