When you’re heading out bouldering, all you need are climbing shoes, a chalk bag, and, of course, your crash pad. Crash pads are definitely the biggest gear investment for bouldering, but how do you choose the one for you? Here at The Adventure Junkies, we will help you sort through the options to choose the best bouldering crash pad to keep you safe when you’re trying hard.
For more of our top climbing gear recommendations, check out the Best Bouldering Shoes.
Quick Answer - The Best Bouldering Crash Pads
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Organic Climbing Simple
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Mad Rock Duo
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Petzl Alto
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Black Diamond Impact
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Metolius Session II
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Mad Rock Mad Pad
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Asana Hero
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Metolius Recon
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Black Diamond Mondo
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Mad Rock R3
Comparison Table - Best Bouldering Crash Pad
| Picture | Name | Dimensions | Weight | Style | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Organic Climbing Simple | 48 in x 36 in x 4 in | 12 lbs | Hybrid Hinge Fold | $$ | 5.0 |
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Mad Rock Duo | 56 in x 42 in x 5 in | 17 lbs | Hinge Fold | $$ | 5.0 |
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Petzl Alto | 46 in x 39 in x 4 in | 12.5 lbs | Taco Fold | $$$ | 4.9 |
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Black Diamond Impact | 45 in x 40 in x 4 in | 9 lbs, 8 oz | Hinge Fold | $$ | 4.0 |
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Metolius Session II | 36 in x 48 in x 4 in | 9 lbs | Angled Hinge Fold | $ | 4.9 |
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Mad Rock Mad Pad | 48 in x 36 in x 5 in | 14 lbs | Hinge Fold | $ | 4.7 |
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Asana Hero | 48 in x 36 in x 4 in | 12 lbs | Hybrid Hinge Fold | $$ | 4.4 |
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Metolius Recon | 60 in x 42 in x 4 in | 14 lbs, 5 oz | Tri Fold Hinge | $$$ | 4.6 |
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Black Diamond Mondo | 65 in x 44 in x 5 in | 20 lbs, 6 oz | Hinge Fold | $$$ | 4.0 |
 |
Mad Rock R3 | 55 in x 35 in x 4 in | 18 lbs | Taco Fold | $$ | 4.4 |
| Picture | Name | Dimensions | Weight | Style | Price | Rating |
Reviews - The Best Crash Pads for Bouldering
Organic Climbing Simple
Specs
- Dimensions: 48 in x 36 in x 4 in
- Material: 1 in memory foam, 1 in closed cell foam, 2 in open cell foam
- Style: Hybrid Hinge Fold
- Weight: 12 lbs
Features
- Shoulder Strap Suspension System
- Three Side Grab Handles
- Variety of Customizable Colors
BEST FOR: VERSATILITY
You’ll spot a brightly colored Organic Simple Pad at just about every crag, and these pads are ubiquitous for a reason – they are great to fall on in just about any situation. With 4 inches of total foam composed of a layer of memory foam over closed cell foam on top of a base of open cell foam, the Simple Pad absorbs impact softly without the feeling of bottoming out through the pad. Both short falls from tough starts and long falls from high off the deck are well-protected by this pad.
The Organic Simple Pad is also exceptionally easy to carry thanks to a well-designed shoulder strap suspension system and grab handles along the sides. And Organic pads are recognizable for their bright colors and cool designs, which you can customize.
Mad Rock Duo
Specs
- Dimensions: 56 in x 42 in x 5 in
- Material: Two 1 in layers of closed cell foam, 3 in open cell foam
- Style: Hinge Fold
- Weight: 17 lbs
Features
- Shoe Cleaning Mat
- Daisy Chain Loops (for carrying extra gear)
- Straps to Attach Another Pad
BEST FOR: FEATURES
The Mad Rock Duo is designed with convenience in mind, including a bunch of handy features to make this pad a hit at the crag. First of all, it’s easy to get the pad and all of your gear to the boulders, thanks to a pocket which can carry a water bottle, chalk, and more, as well as daisy chain side straps to clip your shoes and chalk bag. If you want to bring a second pad, you can easily connect the Duo to another pad with included straps.
The Duo also features a flap to cover any gaps in your landing zone, as well as a welcome mat extension, which gives you a place to wipe the dirt off your shoes before you jump on your problem.
Petzl Alto
Specs
- Dimensions: 46 in x 39 in x 4 in
- Material: 3 in open-cell foam, two 0.5 in closed-cell foam layers fused
- Style: Taco Fold
- Weight: 12.5 lbs
Features
- Zippered Closing Flap
- Adjustable Bandolier Strap (for easy carrying)
- Converts to a Chair
BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND
The Petzl Alto is a comfy pad with a lot of awesome features. The unique zipper flap closure completely covers the pad to keep everything you stuff inside from falling out (though it can make it tough to carry larger items). It also flips around to zip up and cover the shoulder straps once you’re ready to use the pad. An adjustable bandolier strap makes it quick to relocate the pad from boulder to boulder.
The taco style pad works better to cover up jagged and uneven landings, so you can feel more confident working the crux of your problem. And when you’re done for the day, the Alto has included straps that convert the pad to a cushy chair.
Black Diamond Impact
Specs
- Dimensions: 45 in x 40 in x 4 in
- Material: Closed-cell PE foam on top, high-compression PU foam on bottom
- Style: Hinge Fold
- Weight: 9 lbs, 8 oz
Features
- Lightweight
- Durable Fabric
- Easy Hooking Buckles
BEST FOR: BEGINNERS
The Black Diamond Impact is a very lightweight pad that makes a good option for beginner boulderers. Its 4 inches of foam will protect you well when you’re just starting out on easier problems with generally flat landings, and it will be a great complement to another pad. But if you’re making your way up a highball or committing over a rocky landing zone, this is probably not the best choice for pad.
Covered in polyurethane-coated, 600-denier ripstop polyester, the Impact is durable and both abrasion- and water-resistant. The buckles have been redesigned to be extra easy to open and close as you move the pad from place to place.
Metolius Session II
Specs
- Dimensions: 36 in x 48 in x 4 in
- Material: 1 in closed-cell foam top layer, 3 in open-cell foam core layer, 0.5 in closed-cell foam bottom layer
- Style: Angled Hinge Fold
- Weight: 9 lbs
Features
- Two Drag Handles (for easy repositioning)
- Flap Closure
- Carpeted Logo (for wiping shoes)
BEST FOR: VALUE
The Metolius Session II is one of the cheapest pads out there, but it doesn’t skimp on features. A cool flap closure system keeps your gear in place when you stuff it in the pad for the trip to the boulder field, and then it flips around to cover the shoulder straps during your session. The two drag handles make it easy to reposition the pad quickly, and the carpeted logo is designed to be the perfect place to wipe off your shoes. The foam in the Session II is fairly soft, which is comfortable for shorter falls, but not necessarily the ideal choice for highballs.
Mad Rock Mad Pad
Specs
- Dimensions: 48 in x 36 in x 5 in
- Material: 1 in closed-cell foam top layer, 3 in open cell foam core, 1 in closed-cell foam bottom layer
- Style: Hinge Fold
- Weight: 14 lbs
Features
- Velcro Strap on Hinge
- Padded Shoulder Straps
- Converts Into a Chair
BEST FOR: HIGH BALLS
The Mad Rock Mad Pad offers an extra thick 5 inches of foam without breaking the bank. The foam of the Mad Pad is definitely on the stiffer side, which is great when you’re falling from up high, but can be a little harsh for short falls. It does tend to soften up over time though. A velcro strap on the back of the hinge keeps the pad together in your landing zone.
A unique feature of the Mad Pad is that it can easily convert into a chair, thanks to a few straps, so you can chill out while watching your friends send.
Asana Hero
Specs
- Dimensions: 48 in x 36 in x 4 in
- Material: 1 in closed-cell foam top layer, 2 in open cell foam core, 1 in closed-cell foam bottom layer
- Style: Hybrid Hinge Fold
- Weight: 12 lbs
Features
- Cargo Clip (to attach packs)
- Flap (to connect other pads)
- Three Carry Handles
BEST FOR: PORTABILITY
The Asana Hero is a soft foam pad with a few handy features that make it extra easy to carry. The cargo clip on the front of the pad is an innovative way to attach your pack by the handle, instead of stuffing it inside the pad. The flap, which can also be used to connect another pad, keeps your pack securely in place without swinging around. Three carry handles on the side give you flexibility to move the pad around once you’re at the crag.
The soft foam of the Asana Hero is comfortable when you’re falling off low traverses and sit starts, but might not be enough cushioning when you’re pushing yourself on highballs.
Metolius Recon
Specs
- Dimensions: 60 in x 42 in x 4 in
- Material: 1 in closed-cell foam top layer, 2.5 in open-cell foam core layer, 0.5 in closed-cell foam bottom layer
- Style: Tri Fold Hinge
- Weight: 14 lbs, 5 oz
Features
- Pockets (for carrying gear)
- Carpeted Logo (for wiping shoes)
- Ballistic Nylon Bottom (for durability)
BEST FOR: TRAVERSES
The Metolius Recon is a massive pad for covering a wide area, yet it’s easy to transport thanks to the tri fold hinge design. A small exterior pocket and a larger interior pocket give you space to stash your essentials, which is useful since the trifold design makes it more difficult to contain a pack.
The hinges velcro together when open to provide a flat surface, although this can be difficult to position on rock or uneven ground. Though the Recon covers a large surface area, its foam is not the thickest for cushioning highball landings.
Black Diamond Mondo
Specs
- Dimensions: 65 in x 44 in x 5 in
- Material: Closed-cell PE foam on top, high-compression PU foam on bottom
- Style: Hinge Fold
- Weight: 20 lbs, 6 oz
Features
- Giant Surface Area
- Four Corner Grab Handles (for easy repositioning)
- Rubber Coated Bottom (to stay in place)
BEST FOR: LARGE LANDING AREA
The Black Diamond Mondo is a huge crash pad in every way. With over 12 square feet of surface area, you’ll definitely be covered when you drop into the landing zone, and 5 inches of padding will protect you from whatever is underneath. Of course, the large size also means the Mondo is heavier than most pads, but we’re sure you won’t mind the added weight when you’re falling off a highball.
A grab handle on each of the four corners make it simple for spotters to move the pad under a climber, and a rubber coated bottom keeps it in place once you have it where you need it.
Mad Rock R3
Specs
- Dimensions: 55 in x 35 in x 4 in
- Material: Shredded EVA recycled foam
- Style: Taco Fold
- Weight: 18 lbs
Features
- Baffled Construction (for superior cushioning)
- Recycled EVA Foam (sustainably produced and long-lasting)
- Durable Denier Nylon Shell (for durability and weather-resistance)
BEST FOR: UNEVEN LANDINGS
The Mad Rock R3 doesn’t look like any other crash pad out there, thanks to its baffled construction filled with chunks of recycled foam. It also protects uneven landings better than any other crash pad because this unique construction conforms and contours to whatever is under it, instead of just laying flat. The design of the R3 also makes it easy to stuff all your gear inside during your approach hike.
The R3 is made to last, with an outer shell of extremely durable 1680 denier nylon. You can also order extra EVA foam direct to Mad Rock to refill your pad when the foam gets crushed and loses its springiness.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING BOULDERING CRASH PADS
The most important thing you want in a crash pad is confidence that it will prevent you from injury if you fall. Both the thickness and stiffness of the foam, as well as the size of the pad are huge factors in determining how the pad will protect you. Climbing explains more about how the crash pad foam absorbs impact when you hit the deck.
It’s also key to have good spotters who know how to properly place pads and direct you on to them – if you miss the crash pad when you fall, it’s not going to do you any good. Here are some tips for how to be the best spotter and keep you and your bouldering buddies as safe as possible.
FOAM STIFFNESS
Softer pads are more forgiving on short falls, while stiffer pads protect you when you fall a long way. If you’re not the highball type, a softer pad will be more comfortable while still keeping you safe. However, if you do love to get way up off the deck, definitely go for a stiff pad (and you’ll probably want a few).
SIZE
The bigger the pad, the more of the landing zone it covers. If you’re combining forces with friends and bringing a bunch of pads for coverage, size isn’t as much of a consideration, but if you’re often bouldering solo, a larger pad might be more useful.
PORTABILITY
You’ll be carrying the pad from your car to the crag, usually on your back using the shoulder straps, and then also from boulder to boulder. Depending on how close the boulders are, you won’t want to completely pack the pad back up, so side suitcase handles are super useful.
FEATURES EXPLAINED
CLOSED CELL FOAM
Stiffer foam that doesn’t deform under impact.
OPEN CELL FOAM
Softer foam that compresses to absorb impact.
FOLD STYLE
How the pad folds up. Can be hinge (with a mid seam to fold in half) or taco style (seamless so it simply bends).
READ MORE
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