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Alltime Favorite Pad?

Original Post
Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105

Whats your perfered pad for prevention of being pummeled by pebbles?

I love my old BitterSweet double wide it could be thicker but it seems to be the go to mat even with the selection i've gathered

Ricky Newman · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 75

I don't think I'll buy a non-Organic pad again. I've got the Big pad and it's saved me from a hospital bill on more than one occasion and, thus, has already paid for itself (I'm even insured!). The quality of the materials (foam especially--now made of soy) and the local manufacturer status are huge incentives for me.

Quality wise, I've always enjoyed having a Misty Mountain under me. They seem to have a good foam as well and the top-material is wonderful for getting the dirt off your shoes.

My Black Diamond pad fell apart in less than a year and I will not buy another pad from them.

Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105

Organics seem difficult to acquire.

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30
Ricky Newman wrote: My Black Diamond pad fell apart in less than a year and I will not buy another pad from them.
I was disappointed by the durability of my black diamond drop zone. One of the closure straps blew out within a few months of ownership...and I sleep on my pads much more than I boulder on them.
Andrew Vojslavek · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 55

to obtain an organic pad go to organicclimbing.com

-Hands down the best pad I have owned. Josh is wonderful, I loved it so much, I got my girlfriend one for Christmas.

When bouldering at Evans or the RMNP the organic pads get tossed on the worst of landings over any other brand.

Its worth the cost which is not even that bad, and dealing with Josh is a pleasure!

Andrew V

Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105
Evan1984 wrote: I was disappointed by the durability of my black diamond drop zone. One of the closure straps blew out within a few months of ownership...and I sleep on my pads much more than I boulder on them.
I have the old school Franklin Drop Zone that has seemed to hold up pretty good I never use it though its being borrowed permanently by a friend.
Andy Librande · · Denver, CO · Joined Nov 2005 · Points: 1,880
Ricky Newman wrote: My Black Diamond pad fell apart in less than a year and I will not buy another pad from them.
That sucks. My first pad was the Franklin Drop Zone and I thought it was super-bomber until someone stole it.

Otherwise I have the Bittersweet Double Wide and like the surface area that the pad covers. When paired-up with one or two thicker pads it is awesome for covering ground and saving you when you miss the main pads. Seems to be pretty strong as I have had it for two years and have extensively used it. Plus being able to stuff a bunch of crap into it when it is folded up is very convenient.
Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Chase Gee wrote:Organics seem difficult to acquire.
Keep in mind that very few Organic pads are assembled before they are ordered. Each pad is, to a certain extent, a custom built pad.

In terms of foam and construction, they are the best pads on the market. Obviously, the velcro closure system is not the best in wet or snowy conditions, and their Fullpad isn't my favorite solution to the "carry-shit" problem, but there is no pad I trust more than the Organic to keep me unbroken, and that's what really counts.
Jacob Dolence · · Farmville, VA · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 806
Andrew Ryder wrote:Voodoo pads, especially since I hear they're going to start using metal buckles (the only problem was the plastic snaps breaking after a while.) My friends and I have entrusted some big and/or nasty falls to the Highball 5000 at Kelly and the Peaks and never been let down. Plus, you can send them your own fabric and get a totally personalized pad! Flannel, corduroy, dinosaur print, whatever. We all know style is what REALLY counts...
Hey Andrew, saw that you are from Flagstaff. I'm thinking about going to grad school there and was wondering if you'd be willing to answer some questions about the climbing there?

I'll also say that Organic pads are the best that I've used! But for the price a mad rock pad is pretty hard to beat.
Jay F. Weekly · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 10

I'm the proud owner of a Zealot Love Cushion, before that company was sold and became Organic. It is by far the best pad I've owned, and I'll happily be shelling out the cash for an Organic in the future, once my my trusty Love cushion gives up the ghost. Organic has fixed the very few gripes I've held with the Love Cushion, most notably the plastic buckles, making a truly great pad. My only remaining gripe is that it just won't seem to die, so I have an excuse to get a new one!

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
JacobD wrote:But for the price a mad rock pad is pretty hard to beat.
For about two months of bouldering every weekend. Then that pad is so stomped out and destroyed that you have to get a new one. The Mad Pads are inexpensive because they are made of cheap materials. Its been my experience that if a 3x4 pad costs less that $150, it simply will not last long enough for you to get your money's worth.
Jacob Dolence · · Farmville, VA · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 806
Brian Scoggins wrote: For about two months of bouldering every weekend. Then that pad is so stomped out and destroyed that you have to get a new one. The Mad Pads are inexpensive because they are made of cheap materials. Its been my experience that if a 3x4 pad costs less that $150, it simply will not last long enough for you to get your money's worth.
I've had my mad pad for three years. I'm not strictly a boulderer, but last summer I bouldered 5+ days a week for three months straight, and its still just fine.
Stonyman Killough · · Alabama · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 5,785

My old Metolious pad is still great, but a friend has it now in Kentucky.... I had to pass it on to a new boulderer that needed a pad. I like the Mad Pad...!

Joe Auer · · Utah · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 375

+1 ORGANIC

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989
Brian Scoggins wrote: Keep in mind that very few Organic pads are assembled before they are ordered. Each pad is, to a certain extent, a custom built pad. In terms of foam and construction, they are the best pads on the market. Obviously, the velcro closure system is not the best in wet or snowy conditions, and their Fullpad isn't my favorite solution to the "carry-shit" problem, but there is no pad I trust more than the Organic to keep me unbroken, and that's what really counts.
Turns out that they don't use velcro any more. So, problem solved.
Jim Fraley · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 5

organic all they way.

nothing better for the the money and always provides a great catch

Chase Gee · · Wyoming/ Logan Utah · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 105

anyone know anything about this fish pads i keep hearing about?

suprasoup · · Rio Rancho, NM · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 580

I'm gonna have to second Chase Gee on this one. I've owned a couple of different pads over the years and the one that I consistently use when I'm out is the bittersweet doublewide. It could be thicker but I prefer surface area myself. Doubles as a great mat for my tent:)

Scott McMahon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 1,425

Misty Mountain Highlander. Classic. Perhaps not as big as the Voodoo's etc., but one of the best all arounders IMO. Thick but yet pliable with good sizing (Yes, I'm describing my pad sickos), easy to carry. I'd say for this size either go with the misty or an organic.

Tavis Ricksecker · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 4,246

I've had a misty magnum for about five years. Ive taken many 10-15 footers onto it and never gotten hurt (knock on wood). Its still in decent shape, though it could use new foam. Gets my vote!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Bouldering
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