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thoughts on bouldering pads

snydas22

15-Dec-2009
7:22:47 PM

Hey guys
Im just at the point in bouldering where i'm needing some protection for landing. Im looking at a crash pad and just wonder how well they soften your fall as i have never used or seen 1 in person? I know they are really good because as a boulderer we have no protection and a landing pad is better than nothing.
Im looking at getting a Flashed Ninja as its in my price range and of top quality/size from all the brands models in that price range. The sizes are 127cm x 91cm x 9cm which is ok i believe?
Anyway id just like to hear some thoughts of crash pad performance from my fellow boulderers?
cheers
chad


wallwombat

15-Dec-2009
7:28:31 PM

Buy one. You wont regret it. They make a huge difference. Bouldering is so much better with a pad. Even better if you boulder with someone who also has one. I'm looking at getting another one early in the new year.

Only negative is they are bloody expensive.


D.Lodge

15-Dec-2009
7:39:06 PM

The flashed one is a good pad, good advice is to go as big as you can afford,carry, fit in your car. Most pads these days are similar in their foam it is the construction and the way the carry that is the big difference. Good luck and happy bouldering.


evanbb

16-Dec-2009
5:43:42 AM

You've definitely got to have a pad to boulder properly. Think of your ankles.

snydas22

16-Dec-2009
8:17:56 AM

cheers guys, as i thought, they are way worth it but just needed re-assurance. thanks guys


Climboholic

16-Dec-2009
8:25:04 AM

I went with the Temple. The Ninja is a bit on the small side if you're only using one pad. But it's better than nothing if you're on a budget. Flashed make good value pads.


kev

16-Dec-2009
8:30:44 AM

On 15/12/2009 snydas22 wrote:
> how well they soften your fall as i have never used or seen 1 in person?

I've fallen on a large rock from 3m up, landing flat on my back, and the only thing that prevented spine damage was the bouldering pad my spotter laid over this rock.

A pad isn't just for softening falls - placed appropriately, it has the potential to save you from breaking more than just your ankles. And having a switched-on spotter is muy importante!

Flashed = good gear, go as big/thick as you can afford. More coverage and thicker padding is always handy.

widewetandslippery

16-Dec-2009
8:39:30 AM

You live in a place with great bouldering and bouldering potential. Granite wave platforms are hard! Get a big pad or even 2 small ones if you don't want to end up burley.

There are quite a few climbers in the hunter region. Try and hook up with some of them for a boulder?

There is a difference between makes but you'll only be able to compare once you've bought one.

Remember though, pads are aids but helmets are gay.

dalai

16-Dec-2009
10:46:41 AM

As already suggested, get the largest mat you can afford and fit in your car.

I have two mats - a Cordless Deluxe and BD Satellite. The later I bought specifically for travelling overseas and subsequently straps nicely on the back of the motorbike, so I can get out on this rather than take the car if going out by myself.

The Satellites dimensions (104*84*8cm) are slightly smaller than the Flashed mat (127*91*9cm) you are looking at, and whilst fine for sit down starts and when close to the ground, if bouldering by yourself and up high can make for a very small target!

Duncan

16-Dec-2009
11:37:10 AM

Rock have a review of available pads in the Summer issue, apparently. Maybe it's worth waiting for a few weeks to see what they say? I've owned a small Tools of the Adventure pad and a Franklin (now Black Diamond) Drop Zone. The Drop Zone is better by a country mile. It's lighter and MUCH better designed.


wallwombat

16-Dec-2009
2:07:40 PM

Mine is one of those Splat Mats made by Paul Westwood and it's getting a bit shagged out now, which is why I want to buy another.

I've been looking at these Singing Rock pads but also considering Black Diamond, Red Chili and Madrock pads.

Duncan

16-Dec-2009
2:14:02 PM

On 16/12/2009 wallwombat wrote:
>I've been looking at these Singing Rock pads
>but also considering Black Diamond, Red Chili and Madrock pads.

Those Singing Rock ones are only 1m by 1m. Lame. Get a Drop Zone.


wallwombat

16-Dec-2009
2:21:45 PM

On 16/12/2009 Duncan wrote:

>Those Singing Rock ones are only 1m by 1m. Lame. Get a Drop Zone.

I might go a BD Impact - same as the Drop Zone except that it doesn't have a pocket or the bottom and side flaps and is $70 cheaper.

I always put my stuff in a Coles green shopping bag, when I go bouldering, anyway.


HM33

16-Dec-2009
2:32:39 PM

for reference im pretty certain the next issue of rock has a bouldering pad review in it.


wallwombat

16-Dec-2009
2:37:38 PM

Hawkman, when is your next shipment of Moon pads due in? They look pretty good.

Duncan

16-Dec-2009
2:45:01 PM

On 16/12/2009 wallwombat wrote:
>I might go a BD Impact - same as the Drop Zone except that it doesn't
>have a pocket or the bottom and side flaps and is $70 cheaper.

The Impact is hinged and the Drop Zone is taco. This may not bother you, but I'm all about taco style pads.


wallwombat

16-Dec-2009
2:48:44 PM

My current pad is taco and after a while you end up with a dead zone gutter in the middle. I think I'd prefer hinged next time.


HM33

16-Dec-2009
2:49:41 PM

see pm cheers adam


D.Lodge

16-Dec-2009
2:55:03 PM

I have a Beal pad that is hinged and almost 8 years old now and has been fine for all that time. Have not one gone down the middle between the gap the hinged ones fold and store better than the taco style


wallwombat

5-Feb-2010
8:37:23 PM

Anyone have any experience with Red Chilli pads?

I'm looking at getting another pad and the Red Chili that I'm looking at is 12cm thick, where as the others I am looking at are all 9cm thick. I reckon that extra 3cm might come in pretty handy.

Pinnacle have good deals on BD Mondo pads but Queensland is a fair old didstance from where I am, which is a shame. A Mondo would also make a mighty fine bed in the back of my van.

There are 24 messages in this topic.