I'm probably going to be getting a second bouldering pad for my birthday (and even if not then I'll probably buy myself one anyway).
Currently I own a 5/6 year old Franklin DropZone which is still going strong. No problems there, but I want something which will fit inside the aforementioned DropZone, and will still allow me to fit in all my personal effects for a day solitary bouldering.
I realise that the Butler is probably the one which has been designed for my intended use, but I just wanted to ask:
1. if anyone has used a Butler, and whether there's any reason I shouldn't just go for that straight off, and
2. if anyone knows of a different pad which fits the bill even better than the Butler.
I did have concerns about the Butler being Taco style, as a friend told me that this can be a problem on the thinner pads. I also wasn't sure if I'd be able to fit a couple of pairs of rock shoes, two chalk bags, a spare fleece etc, lunch, and a drink inside with it inside the DropZone.
Any thoughts gratefully welcomed.
P.S. Obviously I don't want to pay the Earth, but I don't mind paying a little bit more for the extra quality. My Franklin is heavenly, and I paid extra for that one, rather than a Metolius which I thought was a little too soft.
