The key to safety, stability and hold strength lies in the composition of the rubber. Our 4.7” diameter, ¼ inch thick pads are made of the strongest, most expensive natural, vulcanized rubber in the world. They are the strongest and most reliable on the market today. There are other so-called “Portable Grab Bars” on the market that claim to be strong, but many of them are assembled with suction pads made of cheap, soft PVC plastic material that cannot hold more than a few pounds of pull pressure. Be VERY WARY of these devices! As is often said, “You get what you pay for.” In the Portable Grab Bar world, relying upon cheap devices that could release when you need them most is worse than not having one at all. Choose only the best for your safety!