Cheap/used pad or brand new Organic? What if I don't go out that much?

For someone that wants to go outside more, but not sure how often I could go - should I go for a cheap/used pad or a brand new Organic?

I’m not worried about the price, but I feel like if I buy one now, I should buy it for life. If I buy a cheap, used one and it breaks, then I could have used that money towards an Organic pad that would last a lifetime.

I’m not sure how often I would actually go. I could go solo, but I feel like I'd be pretty scared if I do. Otherwise, I have to rely on my friends to come - whom aren't even boulders but they like to go sometimes. If I had to guess based on friends’ availabilities and willingness-to-go, I’d estimate once a month or two.

Just my .02, but generally pretty tough to find a used crash pad without paying $$$ for somebody to ship it to you. Most online sellers ship them free, so you might as well buy new. Organic is worth the price IMO. 

I would buy a cheap/used pad. If you get more into bouldering, you will want multiple pads anyways. I generally buy cheap first and then upgrade to first class after I wear out my initial purchase. You might find out you prefer ropes instead.

In terms of getting out, don't be afraid to go solo. While climbing solo might not be a good idea, showing up solo isn't. If you are close to somewhat popular bouldering spots, you will usually be able to find people to climb with; meeting people outside is pretty fun.

Good luck and have fun

I bought an Organic pad, used it sparingly for a few years, and resold it at very close to the original price I paid for it.

In my experience this is a good option.

That said I am also in Boulder which is a very active and affluent climbing market. If there aren’t climbers around you may have a harder time reselling it.

Nathan Burns wrote: Just my .02, but generally pretty tough to find a used crash pad without paying $$$ for somebody to ship it to you. Most online sellers ship them free, so you might as well buy new. Organic is worth the price IMO. 

I live in LA and I see some pads on craigslist, OfferUp, etc. Just found a Metolius for $100.

I'm sure the Organic is worth the price. I've heard everyone rave about it.

It's more so if it's worth getting if I don't see myself climbing outside often. I definitely would get it if I was confident that I would go out often.

IMO if you are not primarily a boulderer a metolius session is much better value for your money and you can usually find deals on them. 

Being someone who rarely boulders I went the cheap route and got a mad rock pad and it works just fine.

Almost strictly a boulderer and I prefer a softer pad. Organic is nice for sure but tends to be too stiff for me. Have a cheap mad rock for 4 years now and I beat the bag out it. Still does the job but sometimes I wish it covered more square footage. Overall I’d say get cheap at first especially if you don’t go out much. It will last. 

Wenmar Badbada wrote:

I live in LA and I see some pads on craigslist, OfferUp, etc. Just found a Metolius for $100.

I'm sure the Organic is worth the price. I've heard everyone rave about it.

It's more so if it's worth getting if I don't see myself climbing outside often. I definitely would get it if I was confident that I would go out often.

mad rock r3 is an awesome pad, concept, and price. the duo is also rad without the organic price tag or colors. 

Duo is 140$ at backcountry rn. Free ship and easy to stack 15% off first order and active junky. Super high quality I have 2 of them.

Connor Dobson wrote: Duo is 140$ at backcountry rn. Free ship and easy to stack 15% off first order and active junky. Super high quality I have 2 of them.

damn, that's a lot less than i paid for mine.

I would say go used. I bought two triple pads for $100 and never would have splurged on buying those new. Now my original two doubles I payed too much for I haven’t brought out in probably two years.  
If you have space to store them I would say spend money on square footage. Until you’re really cranking on a highball soft pads are so much nicer anyways, and if you’re into higher problems it’s a luxury to throw that pillowy soft pad on top of something a little tougher.

*on a side note, I know it’s not a popular opinion but I’m always a little sad when somebody is super stoked on their new Organic pad and puts it right in the impact zone. Such a jolting fall.

My first pad was a cheap Metolius. I decided I liked bouldering and have since acquired a couple additional Organic pads for the durability, quality and, of course, colors. But I still bring that cheap Metolius along too. It fills holes/gaps well and is a much lighter "additional pad" to carry around when I'm solo and want a bit more ground coverage.

My point being, get the cheaper pad first. If you really take to outdoor bouldering, buy second nice pad and you'll still be able to make good use of the cheaper pad as a secondary pad.

I have a metolius tri and session pad because combined I paid all of $40 for them. Have used a lot of ogranic pads and greatly prefer them as a base layer or only pad. On higher boulders the stiffer organic padding keeps you from bottoming out on the ground, which tends to have nice edges on talus for some things here. I've had a couple heel bruises using only metolious and/or BD pads, never bottomed out with an organic pad on the bottom.

My .02 cents is look for a deal and then look for climbing partners who forked out the cash for organic, put their pads down on the bottom layer and yours on top. Best of all worlds.