A method for manufacturing the cushioning elements (200) may include utilizing a die (310) with a plurality of die elements (312) positioned in a particular arrangement. A polymer material, which may be a polymer foam material, is located between the die (310) and an extractor (320). The polymer material is compressed between the die (310) and the extractor (320), and the die elements (312) cut the polymer material to form a plurality of pad components (230), which are arranged like the die elements (312). The die (310) and the extractor (320) are separated, and the pad components (230) are secured to the extractor (320) in the arrangement of the die elements (312). Additionally, the pad components (230) are bonded to at least one material layer (210, 220) such that the pad components remain in the arrangement of the die elements.