A double bounce trampoline uses two separate layers of bouncing surface instead of one. The top layer is a standard jumping mat, and beneath it sits a second mat connected by its own set of springs. When you jump, both layers absorb and return energy, producing a softer landing and a higher, more controlled bounce than a traditional single-mat trampoline. The design is most associated with the AlleyOOP DoubleBounce model made by JumpSport, the company that pioneered the concept for backyard use.
How the Two-Layer System Works
On a standard trampoline, you jump on a single mat stretched across the frame by springs. All the impact force travels through that one surface. A double bounce trampoline adds a second mat underneath, suspended by its own independent set of springs or elastic elements. When your feet hit the top mat, it flexes downward and transfers some of that energy to the lower mat, which flexes in turn. Both layers then push back upward together.
This two-stage absorption does two things at once. It spreads the impact over a longer period, which reduces the jarring force on your joints. And it stores more elastic energy than a single mat can, so the return bounce feels more powerful relative to the effort you put in. Think of it like landing on a cushion that sits on top of a second cushion: each layer does part of the work, so neither one bottoms out as easily.
How It Differs From a Regular Trampoline
The most noticeable difference is the feel. A single-layer trampoline gives a firm, direct bounce. You push down, the mat snaps back. A double bounce trampoline has a more gradual compression and a smoother lift, which many users describe as feeling like the trampoline is doing more of the work for you. The landing is noticeably gentler on knees, ankles, and the lower back.
The trade-off is complexity and cost. Double bounce trampolines use significantly more hardware. The AlleyOOP DoubleBounce 14-foot model, for example, includes 64 additional springs and adjustable assemblies for the lower mat. That extra engineering makes these trampolines heavier and more expensive than comparably sized single-mat models. They also tend to have a lower maximum user weight than heavy-duty commercial trampolines. The AlleyOOP 14-foot version is rated for 250 pounds per user, upgradeable to 300 pounds with an optional PowerBounce spring kit.
Who Benefits Most
The double bounce design appeals to a few specific groups. Families with multiple children often choose it because the softer landing is more forgiving for lighter bouncers. On a stiff, single-mat trampoline, a small child may not generate enough force to get a satisfying bounce. The double layer responds to less input, so kids of different sizes can all get a good experience.
Adults concerned about joint stress also gravitate toward double bounce models. Research on trampoline exercise shows clear benefits for bone density, balance, and coordination. One study of competitive trampolinists found higher bone density at the hip and spine compared to non-jumpers, and a 14-week study of older adults using mini-trampolines showed a roughly 35% improvement in their ability to recover balance before a fall. A softer-landing trampoline makes it easier for people with sensitive joints or early arthritis to access those benefits without the pounding that a firm mat delivers.
Gymnasts and divers in training sometimes use double bounce surfaces to practice aerial skills with more hang time and a more forgiving landing. The extra lift from the second mat gives athletes a fraction of a second longer in the air, which can help when learning new flips or twists at lower risk of hard landings.
The Brand Behind the Design
JumpSport, founded by Mark Publicover in 1997, is the primary manufacturer of double bounce trampolines for the consumer market. Publicover is also credited as the inventor of the trampoline safety enclosure, the mesh netting that surrounds most modern backyard trampolines. The company sells the double bounce system under its AlleyOOP brand, with models ranging from 12 to 14 feet in diameter. While the basic concept of layered bouncing surfaces has existed in gymnastics training facilities for decades, JumpSport was the first to package it into a backyard-ready product with consumer safety features like enclosures and padded frames.
Safety Considerations
A double bounce trampoline is still a trampoline, and the injury risks that come with any backyard model still apply. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that full-size trampolines be used only by supervised athletes training for a sport like gymnastics or diving. Children under six face the highest injury risk on any trampoline, regardless of design. The softer bounce of a double layer system reduces peak impact forces, but it does not eliminate the risk of falls, collisions, or awkward landings.
If you’re considering one for a household with kids, the enclosure net is essential, and single-user rules (one jumper at a time) remain the safest approach. The gentler bounce can actually create a false sense of security, since higher, easier bouncing means more airtime and more opportunity for a loss of control.