How many/what size pads?

How many pads/square footage do you typically use for a solo bouldering session?  I have an Organic simple pad, and I'm trying to decide whether a second simple pad will suffice, or if I should save up for a big pad.  Thanks!

I have found a simple pad + briefcase pad is good for most bouldering solo, granted that I really work parts of a boulder to know: where I will likely fall, know where I won't fall, or I am comfortable falling off the pad in a worst case scenario. I do avoid anything with a bad landing bouldering solo just incase I do hurt an ankle. The main drawback to a second simple pad, or two 'full size' bouldering pads, is the annoyance of hauling all that stuff around. Really depends on your objectives for the day. My objectives solo bouldering changes a lot from in a group. But recently I did get the backfourty pad which has slightly more surface area and was taking that out + the briefcase pad. 

Organic sells a load flap that helps distribute the weight, or you can just make your own sort of strapping system. I would recommend the organic one as its pretty durable. 

Completely depends on the area/particular landing. Flat ground and 12ft Boulder? One pad is cool. But you add a single ankle breaking rock and I want at least two good pads. Any really uneven ground or a ground rock I can’t well protect my noggin from I don’t really do. Just come back with a friend.

Though no matter how many pads you have, solo i think the biggest thing is to make sure someone knows where you are and what time you will be back. 

I was using a single organic full pad for awhile and was getting limited in certain ways by what I could protect with it. 2 of the simple/full pads have served me well. When I thought about it, I was probably not gonna feel more comfortable or be any safer with a 5" big pad than the normal 4" simple. If I need more than that I probably shouldn't be climbing it without a partner.

I usually take two, a standard size and a giant mad rock triple pad I got on sale a few years ago and strap them together with this crash pad buckle thing I got on eBay. It’s a little bulky and I get strange looks when I walk around with it but I always feel very comfortable with the coverage.

I take 4 large pads with me And use two ratchet straps/ a hand truck with big wheels( you can get 2 long ratchet straps at walmart for 15 dollars). instagram.com/p/CPT8T0LjSFM…   if youre bouldering solo without a spotter you need more pads, not less.  another thing ive seen a friend( who projects pretty hard at the gunks) do is take 3 mad triple pads ratcget strap them and carry it.  honestly its good training weight.  and youll be able to do your projects alone.

wear a helmet that can protect against impact.  

Little cute pads look like a postage stamp from space when you’re up high the biggest pad you can carry is what want 

I almost always boulder alone. I started with a 3’ x 2’ piece of carpet, and then graduated to 4’ x 3’  closed cell foam sandwiched and glued between two pieces carpet (that was a heavy pain in the ass).  Now I use a Metolius Basic, an Organic Briefcase and an Organic Dragpad. The two Organics fit nicely inside the Metolius, and the system feels downright decadent. The Metolius goes where I am likely to crater, while the organics protect likely/possible hazards. 

I like my two mid size pads, they give good enough coverage without being too bulky. I got the evolv mid size pad and the straps are already designed to be able to carry any pad that’s the same size or smaller. Super nice. Makes it easy to carry my r3. I just wish the r3 wasn’t so heavy 

For solo RMNP sessions, 2 regular size Organics strapped together, with 1 or 2 Organic sliders tucked in, plus a smaller pad tied on top.

The best answer is the most pads you can comfortably carry.  Especially since you're solo, you want as much protection as possible to keep the injury risk low.