Crash pads - Quality vs. quantity

I was looking through this thread

Crash pad suggestions

and it got me thinking...

What are your opinions considering the quality vs. number of pads you buy/use? I don't boulder that often, but when I do, it's usually with my wife or maybe a couple of sport climber friends who don't have many (if any) crash pads.

If I really want to be safe, should I spend money on one nice big Organic ($300) or four to six second-hand mad rock/ metolius pads ($50-100 each)?

I understand that a crappy pad isn't any better than hitting the dirt if you still break your ankle, but think about it... you could cover more area, two pads deep, with 4-6 used/cheap pads than you could with one big, expensive pad. Plus, you have more flexibility with separate pads to cover up that wierd rock, the traversing moves, the sit start, or whatever. And in many, many cases, a crappy pad is WAY better than no pad at all - so that extra surface area is important.

On the flipside - sometimes having one big pad is better because there are less pad edges to roll your ankle on. And 6 pads don't fit well in a small car or studio apartment. And a good spotter should to be able to move the pad to keep it under you.

How many of you have been hurt because you missed your pads? How many of you have been hurt because you hit your pads, but they didn't do their job?

Thoughts?

I myself like to carry one pad along with my shoes, snacks, ect.... so I like my big stiff organic pad.. its not as stiff as rocks and earth but it works

The organic big 5" is the way to go. Its not just about surface area. It's about longevity. The other pads will be bottomed out in a season of heavy use.

But surface area is also important. When you put two pads next to each other, the connection point ends up being right where you are likely to fall. And Murphy's Law applies when it comes to landing in between pads.

It's also really nice to just carry one big pad.

Question...how are you going to carry in 4 - 6 crash pads. Im just thinking that you'll get tired of doing that everytime you want to boulder. Isnt having your pad under you your spotters job...or to redirect you back onto the pad so you don't hit the dirt?

I feel that regardless of the pad(s) you have the most important thing is knowing how to use them. Padcraft is just like protection in other facets of climbing, there are very few absolutes and knowing how to adapt to a given situation is much more important than having shiny gear, and just like climbing with a rope, you the climber are your best piece of pro. With that said, quality is always a good choice, quality of stitching, straps, shell, and foam. It will be worth it in the long run. I have a flashed pad that is going on ten years of heavy usage, well worth the cost.

RockinOut wrote:Question...how are you going to carry in 4 - 6 crash pads.

RockinOut wrote:Question...how are you going to carry in 4 - 6 crash pads. Im just thinking that you'll get tired of doing that everytime you want to boulder.