Need hard case foam

I just snagged a great custom made hard case that is meant for 2 big lenses (400mm, 600mm, etc.) The foam inside is a little torn up, so I am thinking of replacing it and also building some compartments for my smaller lenses.

All of the search returns talk about the Pelican replacement foam, which from my understanding is pretty soft. I am looking for a semi-firm foam that feels more like rubber than foam. A nice dense foam. Any ideas?

Ensolite sleeping pads from a camping supply store.

Sometimes I see discarded packing materials at work, specifically thick slabs of hard foam*. It's tough to cut smoothly but I've used it to pack & ship a CF bicycle fork successfully, so if youre in or near NYC & want me to keep an eye out for some, I will. Just let me know, PM or post here - it might take a week or two, but hey, it's free.


*3 or 4" thick, by about 16-18" x 24".

The closed cell foam sleeping pads are cheap and easy to work with. The pads are about 20"x72"x 1/2" and are less than $10 at Wal-Mart but shouldn't cost much more at any sporting goods store. To make a thick pad you would have to cut several layers and stack them but the pads are easy to cut and you can glue them together with super glue to make one thick pad. The closed cell material gouges fairly easily so for heavy use it would be best to cover it with a durable material.

I once asked a local foam supplier what was different about their "photographic equipment" foam and she told me that it was an anti-static foam for use with electronics. Don't know if it was a line but you might want to check into it.

Thanks for the offer PRC. I went out to EMS and bought a closed cell sleeping pad. These things are a DREAM to work with. They cut so easily, yet do not fray on the ends. It'll take me a few days of diddling to get the whole case padded, but this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks all for the advice. I will be sure to post a few pics when I'm done.