How to fix detached padding?
Padding is a consumable part of headphones. It’s the part that presses against your head and ears for hours every day, so at some point it will inevitably give way. That doesn’t mean the headphones are bad – it means you’ve used them. As you should.
Good news: the padding is designed to be replaceable. This isn’t a problem but a maintenance task, roughly in the same league as changing a car tire. Only easier.
Why does the padding come off or flake?
Pads are made from faux leather or fabric, and their lifespan depends on usage, skin oils, moisture, and storage. Typically, pads last about 1–3 years.
The most common reasons:
- Normal wear and tear – After over a year of active use, faux leather starts to flake. That’s perfectly normal and not a material defect.
- Seam tearing – Sometimes the padding opens up at the seam. If the headphones are under 24 months old and it’s not mechanical damage, this may be a warranty matter.
- Sweaty use – Do you work out with the headphones on? Moisture accelerates flaking. The headphones won’t complain, but the padding will.
How to replace the padding
Replacement has been intentionally made easy. You don’t need any tools.
Ear pads (VMK series):
- Grab the old pad at the edge of the cup. There's no screw thread, the pad simply locks into place with a small twist.
- Pull the old pad gently off
- Place the new pad in position and rotate it slightly clockwise until it locks into place
- Repeat on the other side
- Done. The whole operation takes about 30 seconds.
You can find new pads at valcoaudio.com under replacement pads. Choose the right model – VMK20 pads don’t fit VMK25 and vice versa. If you don’t know the model, check the inside of the headphones or send us a photo.
The headband padding is a different story. It isn't sold as a spare part, our service replaces it instead. Send us a message at info@valco.fi and we'll arrange the shipping.
Is this covered by warranty?
It depends.
- Headphones under 24 months old and the padding tears at the seam without an external cause – contact info@valco.fi, include a photo and your order number. We’ll assess the case individually.
- Pads used for over a year that are flaking or deteriorating – this is normal wear. The warranty covers material defects, not natural aging. You can get new replacement pads affordably from our online store.
Rule of thumb: if the padding looks like it’s been through a war, it has probably just lived a full life.
If this doesn’t help
If the padding isn’t available in the online store, you can’t identify the model, or the attachment mechanism is broken, send a message to info@valco.fi. Include a photo of the headphones and tell us the model, and we’ll sort it out. Our service team in Kajaani will help you.
Replacing pads is one of the reasons we make repairable headphones. With other brands you might throw the whole device away and buy a new one. With us you buy a pair of pads and keep listening. That’s all there is to it.
