First crash pad: how big?

I've been looking to get a crash pad to supplement my roped climbing with some bouldering, but I'm just wondering how big of a pad most people would suggest for their first (and would be my only) pad. I'm looking at getting and Organic pad, either the simple (3' x 4' x 4") or the big pad (4' x 5' x 4 or 5"). Obviously bigger is better for the landing aspect of it all, but is the big pad really worth the extra cost and hassle of lugging around a bigger pad? And if the big pad is where it's at, would a 4" or 5" be better? I don't plan to do any highball problems now, but I never know what I might do down the road...

Either way I'd definitely go for the extra inch of thickness. Once the pad bags out it will be worth it.

I boulder alone mostly so I carry one big pad and a small one (cause the big one is bagged out and I'm a wuss). If you plan on bouldering alone I'd go with the big pad. If you don't... then maybe the smaller one if price is an issue. And hopefully your partner will have a pad too. I don't mind carrying the bigger pad, but it's a three fold so not as cumbersome.

No one pad is gonna protect all problems, bigger really is better if you only have one though. I think the depth of the pad really matters more and how quickly it bags out. I've never owned an Organic pad so don't know how well they hold up.

I too have the Organic Big Pad that I supplement with "normal" size pads. In my circle of jerks it's the foundation of all our setups. I would recommend the 5", especially if you might highball down the road.

Organic pads are where it's at. Excellent customer service, best foam, and very durable.

I actually had a similar dilemma like a year ago, didn't know if I should get the big pad or not. I emailed Josh and he had the great idea of getting one standard size (3'x4') and one briefcase pad (like 3x2 and skinnier) for just about the same price as the Big pad.

This way you're not lugging around too much weight and you have a bit more versatility, like putting the small one at the start and the big one under the crux. Or folding the little one in half and stacking it under the big one to level out the landing.

I'm psyched on the setup and when solo I almost always choose the Organics over my 4' x 5' misty mountain pad (I make my friends carry that beast). Also, it's WAY easier to transport in the car.

Get the biggest you can lug around. Think about how far you need to carry it both in/on your car as well as on your back.

I have Black Diamond Mondos and will they can be awkward to carry around, they feel good when you are above them.

Euan

Just throwing it out there. I totally love my voodoo pad. And they are currently on sale for $200+ shipping and Tax for a 48x41x4"

The bigger your pad is the more popular you will be. Not that your not popular already. Just sayin'.

DFrench wrote:Organic pads are where it's at. Excellent customer service, best foam, and very durable. I actually had a similar dilemma like a year ago, didn't know if I should get the big pad or not. I emailed Josh and he had the great idea of getting one standard size (3'x4') and one briefcase pad (like 3x2 and skinnier) for just about the same price as the Big pad. This way you're not lugging around too much weight and you have a bit more versatility, like putting the small one at the start and the big one under the crux. Or folding the little one in half and stacking it under the big one to level out the landing. I'm psyched on the setup and when solo I almost always choose the Organics over my 4' x 5' misty mountain pad (I make my friends carry that beast). Also, it's WAY easier to transport in the car.

Great, here comes the organic bukkake...

... no pun intended... or was it...

I've got 8 different pads from 6 different companies and have found my Organic and old school Metolius Behemoth to be my favorite and usual set up. I like the Behemoth a lot...its twice as big as a normal pad, full of highball foam and covered with auto carpet for foot wiping (down side is that its almost TOO BIG)...but I also cant say a single bad thing about the Organic. I've just recently bought a Flashed Samurai AIR system and like it so far, but these are too pricey if you cant find a deal and some folks swear by them and others despise them. I really like my Flashed Tonto mini pad (I added an extra layer of thin closed cell foam to beef it up a little) for a small supplemental pad, that I can also use as a carry on to fly with. Took it to 4 different countries in Europe last summer and the Pacific NW/Squamish this winter...no problems with checking it or having to pay extra for baggage. I also have an Organic Briefcase pad, that he added backpack straps too for $10 more, that is a great pad to fly with. I dont mind them, but the Mad Rocks and newer Metolius pads are too cheap and flatten out way too fast...steer clear if its your primary pad. An extra $100 now could save you from an even more expensive medical bill from a fall onto a weak pad later! If you go Organic, I would recommend the Big Pad. Anybody I've ever talked to about it loves it!

At least double, preferably queen.

Well Organic does not come with...

Insert offensive expletives..

However... I have found hiking 1-3 hrs (not miles, hours) with my Organic Set up is perfectly fine. Josh Puts a waist belt and comfortable straps on all of his pads.

I typically go with 1-2 simple organic pads, but has of late just been working with 1 simple pad and one brief case pad. That way I can cover my ground and not have to haul a ton.

I do have many petite friends who haul the Organic XL Pad all over Colorados Alpine areas.

I will stand by Organic Products not because of the trend, but because...

1) Best Foam on the Market
2) Best made pads they last 2-3 years... go take that mad rock and purchase 3 pads throughout the life of an organic pad.
3) Best customer service ever! Call Josh! He freaking gets back to me in an hour tops, and lets you know every single detail.
4) SOY FOAM! Lets not be moronic, there are tons of environmental ramifications for making crash pads, lets be mindful.
5) Lastly, they are pretty bad ass!

I recently got the Organic Big pad 4' x 5', 5" thick. It's great. I was slightly bummed that it does not fit in my Accord trunk. I really don't mind putting it in the back seat, but it's a consideration if you usually drive a few people to the crag and have a smaller car. My disappointment in the failure to fit in the trunk is far outweighed by the quality of the pad however.

I bouldered for years with a smaller pad, 3' by 4', and that was fine though for an intro or the occasional boulder session, especially if you have 2 pads. Easily fits in a trunk.

I like to carry two Highlanders 3'x4'x4" made by the caring folks at Misty Mountain. The ballistic nylon provides ample protection until you can find cover and return fire. Back carry one with your stuff, and strap the closing lashes of the other for side carry. This setup is easier for me to maneuver, and allow multiple placements. The forests here are pretty dense with Rhodos, so large pads get hung up a bit. Giant pads are like swimming pools and boats; they sure are nice when your friends have them. I dislike pads equipped with the "worlds most worthless pockets". Anything you put in there gets stomped to pieces.

Dont go cheap on a pad.....is an extra 50-100 bucks worth a broken face?

The Misty Mountain Magnum was amazing for many years and I just got another one. The bar-tacked shoulder straps are superior to the velcro system on the Organics. Otherwise, Organic seems to make a fine pad usually.

Unless you are hiking 10 miles to boulder you will never regret getting a big pad. The big pads usually cover 20 square feet and the small ones only 12. I have seen some funny days when two of us with big pads can cover more surface than a whole posse with small pads.

Why are people still replying to a post thats almost a year old? I`m sure he bought a crash pad by now.

I've got the big Metolius three fold thing and I can strap another normal sized pad to the back of it. It's the perfect setup for bouldering alone. I haven't had the big pad long but I can say that it got a work out in Hueco, it was being used constantly to top some pads or protect some weird angled landings.

Edit, wow didn't realize the post was a year old...

Thanks to Dean Melton for bringing this post back from the dead!

JasonT wrote:Thanks to Dean Melton for bringing this post back from the dead!

Gushing eh? Yes they are my pals, but I have never met Woody, who is no longer with them, nor his daughter. My pads from them have lasted 15 years. I can't say that I know of other pads to have lasted that long.