Purpose of padded loops?

[Old York]

If a bow is already compatible with FF-type bowstrings, why does one pad the loops on an endless string? Thanks

[Scott J. Williams]

Not sure of what you mean by padding the loops. I have in the past, with a continuous loop string, used moleskin to silence the bow a little more.

Generally, Flemish, strings are more quiet as they are softer.  Mike Palmer suggest a method for softening up the flemish string even more to tone it down.

[tradtusker]

add extra protection and make them quieter

[mooseman76]

I don't believe any of my endless loops are padded.  I think the serving around the loops does the same thing as padding which is make them larger and less likely to cut through the tip...Mike

[OKCtradguy]

I pad the loops to increase the diameter of the string.  That is useful if you are using fewer strands in your string.  It distributes the pressure caused by limbs flying forward after release and the string snapping taut.  I usually pad until I get to the equivalent of an 18 strand string.

[edit- I just re-read your post and realized you were talking about endless loop strings; I was talking about a flemish twist.  Not sure if it makes a difference since I don't use endless loop.]

[Otto]

Padded loop strings are definitely quieter on my bows.  I love em and that's all I use now.

[JRY309]

Like said I pad my loops for quieting the bow,I feel it helps.On my 12 strand D97 flemish twist I usally add 2-3 extra strands per bundle.On my endless 12 strand D97,the end would only have 6 strands before I served it up.But I added 4 extra strands making 10 in the loop ends before I served it up.

[zilla]

Actually the padding is to strengthen the string in the loops where the most wear occurs.. It also distributes the load over a larger area and extends the life of the limbs.

[vermonster13]

The serving on the endless string loops holds the string together. It's not really endless after all.