UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => equipment => Topic started by: Andy W on August 05, 2018, 09:50:03 am
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Whilst stewing in the hot temps, my mind wanders to the future and I think I need a new pad, the question is which one? Any thoughts anyone?
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This won’t answer your question properly - but my musings on pads...
I recently bought an organic regular pad (fits perfectly in the odd boot shape of my car) and whilst it’s really welll made and looks nice. It was £200. It may well last for ages etc... but it’s a smallish side foam pad. Lotta £££.
I’ve got a snap wrap and grand wrap too - and these are fantastoc pads - but you have to store them open - and they are heavy for long walk ins.
I wish... someone would make a folding pad that combines the best features. That is (imho)
1. Air cell things like in the Snap pads. They are superb imho and miles better than just foam.
2. Folding not taco - so the air cells don’t crush/wear out when folded - but WITH the layer of foam covering the seam like the organic pads.
3. Bottom becomes outside - and with a folding or Velcro ing cover (like organic or moon pads).
Over to you manufacturs :)
Ps - are these Organic pads as bulletproof and long lasting as folks say - or do they just look cool on Instagram?
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I have an Ocun Dominator and think that's a fantastic pad. Nice, big landing area. Really thick, good quality foam and not too heavy. Material is strong and easy to wipe clean. It can also be zipped in half so you can use it as two separate pads, or a long traverse pad
Good pad.
I think it's a great pad
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I'm sure Ocun and Snap make good pads. However I'm interested in either the Saturn or Organic Big Pad. My research has led me to this particular choice, just can't decide if paying more gets me a better pad?
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The choice seems to some down to whether you prefer taco or fold really. Not sure about longevity of new Saturns but they’ve sorted out the carry system which looks great now. I’m on my 3rd Organic big pad and I still use my oldest one (11 years old I think) for cave and bowderstone. Pretty much all the stitching and straps are intact and the fabric is still undamaged. It’s never been an issue for me taking a tarp to wet places but some people seem to prefer taco for this reason.
Oh yeah have they added the corners back in on the Saturns now? The missing bits of the corners left perfect ankle fucking holes if you had them tessellated with a load of rectangular pads.
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Having had both of the pads in question in the last few years, if you're dead set on only picking between those two I'd definitely say the Organic. You're basically paying for something that's going to last significantly longer than the Saturn. I'd second what tomtom says about Organics too; compared to other pads I've owned they're really well made, have a massive surface area and (crucially) don't need to be stored flat, which can be a pain if you don't have an easy space to do this at home and is a must for any taco pad if you want it to last.
Ignoring your question slightly, even if you're more inclined towards a large taco pad I'd definitely go for one of the large Snaps instead, as they seem to last a lot better than the Saturn.
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Big organic all day, every day. I'm really not a fan of the Moon Saturn (or any moon pads actually). Considering the pads are more or less the same size, the Saturn feels like significantly more faff and effort to move around.
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Looks like Organic is favoured so far. I've had a warrior moon pad and it was ok, but yes not great. In fact I've had many pads, but never an Organic. I've landed on them plenty, but never really scrutinised them (well you don't do you). Size is important! Taco or not Taco less of an issue, I've currently got a BD Mondo, but its heavy and not nice to carry, especially as about a third of all straps and buckles etc seem to have broken.
So Organic it will be. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Snap fans: have they sorted out a decent carry system now? Last one I used only had shoulder straps which were lob sided and no waist or chest strap which meant you couldn’t really load it up for long walk ins.
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Snap fans: have they sorted out a decent carry system now? Last one I used only had shoulder straps which were lob sided and no waist or chest strap which meant you couldn’t really load it up for long walk ins.
Yes.
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Snap fans: have they sorted out a decent carry system now? Last one I used only had shoulder straps which were lob sided and no waist or chest strap which meant you couldn’t really load it up for long walk ins.
Yes.
I'm honestly not on a mission to slag off all other pad companies, however my friend has the biggest snap pad and the straps are attached as low as possible, therefore half the pad is above shoulder height which makes it particularly top heavy when carrying it, especially if you're shoving things in it too. I just thought it was a very poor design choice.
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Moon obvs. Support our sponsor
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7ZFtWPCUAA_228.jpg)
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@36chambers
I have one of those - and it’s a bit too heavy - but it’s 1.3m high.. so if shoulder straps were much higher the bottom would hit your thighs... (esp if short).. I rarely stuff shit in mine - as it’s 10-12kg already and find it much more comfy to have a backpack on my front.
@stubbsy a fuller answer :) the prob with the salty ones was the closure was two Velcro flaps. My newer one has Velcro in the strap where it attaches as well as two Velcro flaps so is v secure. It also has a thick - good - waistband.
But if it were only 6kg it wouldn’t need it so much!!
I think the snap absorption method/tech is superb - but it’s heavier - and in a taco gas to be stored open.. both sometimes a pita :)
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Tom thanks for that. For ref big Organic pad is 4 feet high so just over 1.2 m and sits well on the back, they’re about 9kg empty (weighed them for flying) and I often carry two strapped together.
I think a waist band is key for stabilising, especially if you’re carrying a few pads or have a bag stuffed in for a mountain crag day.
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To give the other side of the argument; I'd get the Saturn all day every day. In basic numbers it beats the Organic comfortably. It's bigger, thicker and getting on for £100 cheaper!
The carry system is very comfortable and in my opinion it's no more difficult to move about when at the crag. At the end of the day it's a very large pad which is always going to be more cumbersome than some of the beer towels (by comparison) I see people using.
I think the taco design is superior in all sorts of ways too. It's brilliant for loading up with all your gear and I really like that no matter what the landing is like you'll never get mud all over the straps. I do still use a tarp if it's really wet though that's just good sense.
I think the only consistent argument I hear for the Organic is it's longevity, but honestly it's so much more expensive that it really doesn't work out any better in the long run and you get a smaller, thinner landing zone as a result.
Basically it's so good I'm a little scared of using any other pads now. I've also bouldered regularly over the last year or so with people who only use Organics (naming no names :) ;)) and it's always my Saturn that ends up on the top of the pad stack...
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£64 difference on a quick price search, so the Organic would have to last 25% longer to be worth the extra?! I’ll leave the maths to you! ;D
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Snap fans: have they sorted out a decent carry system now? Last one I used only had shoulder straps which were lob sided and no waist or chest strap which meant you couldn’t really load it up for long walk ins.
Yes.
I'm honestly not on a mission to slag off all other pad companies, however my friend has the biggest snap pad and the straps are attached as low as possible, therefore half the pad is above shoulder height which makes it particularly top heavy when carrying it, especially if you're shoving things in it too. I just thought it was a very poor design choice.
:wave: I am that friend (I think) and if I had the chance again, I’d get the organic big over the snap (don’t tell 36C...). The cover of my snap is currently off getting fixed as the strap has snapped and various stitchings have come undone, all in less than 6 months... I’ve also had a Saturn before but the foam didn’t last as long as I’d hoped - stored as per instructions...
Get the Organic
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I've got the organic which I think is great, though the stitching at the hinge has broken after 6 months of infrequent use.
It's heavy but comfortable and using their additional strap (c.£30) it's easy to strap extra pads on.
I'm guessing you've looked at dimensions but it is very large in a lot of cars. It fits perfectly flat in a berlingo boot but getting it in a friends Fabia is annoying unless you're happy to lose all the back seats.
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Just to add my experience. I have a Snap Grand Wrap - the big one with the air system. I've not owned moon or organic pads but I've used them plenty.
Imho the snap beats all other pads in terms of landings. I'd say it's equivalent to 2 standard foam pads stacked.
This does come at a price - it's heavy. Another complaint is the velcro straps gradually pick up dirt and become less grippy - always close the velcro when you are using the pad.
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£64 difference on a quick price search, so the Organic would have to last 25% longer to be worth the extra?! I’ll leave the maths to you! ;D
Time will tell, and to be fair I've only had my Saturn for a year but it's showing zero signs of ageing despite what I would think is pretty heavy usage. And as I say, for that potential extra longevity you have to sacrifice quite a lot.
using their additional strap (c.£30)
Tells it's own story this as well; £30 for a strap!! I use a £5 sling and a bit of bungee cord I found on the side of the road to attach extra pads to my Saturn. Maybe I'm just bitter because I spent £125 on the Organic Blubber...
I think this feels a bit like choosing between buying either an Audi (Organic) or a Skoda (Moon). The former might feel a little bit nicer and you'll get more admiring looks (ladies/gents love boulder pads right?), but you'll get far more for your hard earned with the latter even if you do look like a taxi driver ::)
P.s. can you guess what type of car I drive :lol:
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Ocun or Black Diamond would fit the Skoda Or VW pattern :D
Ps. What highrepute said re landing on snap air pads. My old knees thank me for it..
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My housemate splashed out on the Ocun Incubator and its comfortably the best pad I have ever landed on. Its gargantuan, and is the same width packed up as a Moon Warrior.
When I am forced to spend my own money on a pad I will give buying one serious thought.
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Being US based, I've not seen the snap or moon pads on this side of the pond. Lots of organic, asana, BD, metolius, Madrock, etc.
I've found that there are different pads for different areas. Some pads are better for highballs w flat landings, some better in talus. Some are better for landing on your back, some for saving your ankles.
The durability of the organic has been amazing where I'm at for developing in alpine talus areas. It stuffs into hole well, the foam has lasted, the sewing is top notch and the carrying system is decent. I typically run three pads strapped together plus gear and it's held up well. I've ripped out the sewing in many pads shoulder straps simply due to the sheer weight of my kit. For next year I'll be getting their new backcountry pad.
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I think this a key issue, i.e. carrying more than one pad, strapped together. My Mondo has ultimately fairly flimsy harness and has ripped its attachments, whilst carrying Mondo plus another pad. Prior to this i often carried two smaller pads, sometimes three strapped together, the base/carrying pad was a Pod, no complaints here. So it does seem that the carrying set up is quite important. It would seem the Organic would give a good base for carrying more than one pad. The Moon, does throw up a question, does the taco form, mean a bigger load (i.e. more than one pad) becomes a bit unstable, essentially the surface against your back isn't quite flat or the load distributed so well?
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does the taco form, mean a bigger load (i.e. more than one pad) becomes a bit unstable, essentially the surface against your back isn't quite flat or the load distributed so well?
Not in my experience. I regularly carry a Moon Warrior, Grivel and Organic Blubber all strapped to my Saturn (which is usually stuffed with camera, tripod, kit, etc.) and it feels perfectly balanced/weighted. I can't exactly carry it very far but that's my own limitation not the pad ;)
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For next year I'll be getting their new backcountry pad.
:wub:
I'm saving my pennies and waiting till my next trip stateside so the shipping is less.
Andy on shorter walk ins like to the Bowderstone (from the main car park) I’ve frequently carried 2 big organics plus a regular one and a blubber all strapped together, and whilst it weighs a tonne it’s super stable.
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I think Andy was only speaking to the taco design, not the hinged.
The shoulder attachment and general material is key for carrying heavy loads. Some of the thinner nylon will rip, and if the stitching isn't heavy duty, then it can rip out as well.
This is one I haven't seen in person yet, but looks like a nice setup. 1' closed, 2" inch open, 1" closed and 58" by 41" for $285. I've generally had good luck w Asana. not as good as organic, but better than BD, Metolius, etc.
https://asanaclimbing.com/collections/crash-pads/products/superhero-highball-pad (https://asanaclimbing.com/collections/crash-pads/products/superhero-highball-pad)
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The big organic fits perfectly between the wheel arches of a T4, which made it my pad of choice, since it tucks under the bed.
The carry system is comfy enough to load the pad up with a snap wrap and some other general stuff, top three point where my sparrow legs are the limiting factor
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Couple of events this week have convinced me, that despite not bouldering that much anymore, it's time to buy a new pad. Looking at the Saturn and Big Pad as per OP but also considering a Wrap/Grand Wrap.
I'm not really into highballing, dropping off Anston problems about as high as I go. I do have a dodgy back and knee though.
Generally travel with a smaller (pod) mat for levelling landings and a bump start pad as well so need to consider fitting them inside or attaching them to the outside, plus a moon bag which I'd rather was stuffed inside for longer approaches too.
I'm changing my mind every time I think about it, really like the Snaps when I've landed on them but they looks a bit cumbersome and weigh a lot. The Big Pad is folding which I've always had, the carry system looks good and it soounds like they're bopmbproff. But I have to wonder whether I can justify the extra £75 over the Saturn which I'm sure would be perfectly good (anyone know if they're made in the UK, I suspect not?).
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All similar size, Moon £275, Organic and Snap £325 (thats on Bannafingers site...).
You know I like the Snap pads Nai - I think they're better to fall on (which for me is the main criteria for a pad!).
But - they weigh more and you do have to store them open. First isn't a problem really for me as I don't do any walk ins longer than 20 min and rarely take loads of pads. Second is a pain as it adds a min or so to every time you take it out of the car etc.. also means its best not to leave it folded in the car for too long... But its a especially onerous task :)
Organic have a nice carry system - and are supposed to last for ages etc.. (are they also the thinnest of the three?)
I know nothing about the Moon pads...
Worth also thinking that - as all of these are > 1m in width - they'll have to go in most smaller cars (your wifes?) with the back seats down.
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Don't get the moon pad. Mine fell apart and foam went soft after just a couple years. My friend has had there snap for 7 years now. Foam and outer still good. Also they store it folded which bust the myth of storing it folded makes the middle go soft on taco styles.
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I bought my Moon Saturn in 2008 and it's still going strong, though one of the handles has now snapped. It's undoubtedly the best pad I've ever had in terms of the foam still being incredibly robust. All the other pads (currently the DMM Highball) seem to go soft after a few years. Dunno what was in those OG Saturns but they were awesome.
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I think I might be in the minority here, but I really like my Saturn. I had one for about 7 years before replacing it last year. Having only owned Saturns for so long I don't really have anything to compare it to, but the cover seems to have survived better than most on my old one (new one hasn't had enough use to judge this yet). Although the foam was fairly soft at the end of it's life - it was 7 years old and had seen a lot of falls. The foam seemed to soften at a rate not dissimilar to my friend's Snap pad.
Not intending to contradict everything Haydn said, but my (old) Saturn is definitely softer along the middle where it was stored folded, to the extent that I now only store my new one open.
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Cheers all. Is Moon QC maybe a bit variable?
I really like my Saturn. I had one for about 7 years before replacing it last year.
Apparently there's a new waistbelt/carry system. Is your new one that model and does it make carrying easier/more stable than previous?
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My SnapWrap from 3.5 years ago really suffered from being stored folded
(There’s a post I made about it in may2015)
But I rearranged the Cells of foam from the middle to the outside (so firm ones were in the middle) - started to always store it open - and it’s been fine for the last 3 years...
Maybe snap have changed the foam since (I have a 2016 grand wrap that’s maybe firmer or possibly newer).
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Cheers all. Is Moon QC maybe a bit variable?
I really like my Saturn. I had one for about 7 years before replacing it last year.
Apparently there's a new waistbelt/carry system. Is your new one that model and does it make carrying easier/more stable than previous?
Yeah my new one has the waistbelt & chest strap which my previous version didn't. It's a much nicer carry with it, which is a good job as it's substantially heavier than the old version.
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I'm also considering a Moon Saturn or one of the large Organic pads - key question for me is how easy it is to carry a bouldering bag within the pad. This currently works fine with my Moon Warrior (so assume the taco-style Saturn will be similar).
Does anybody have any feedback as to how easy (or otherwise) it is to carry a bouldering bag within one of the larger split style mats such as the Organic big pad? I don't really want to have to carry a mat on my back and a bag over my shoulder as this seems to twist my back on long walk ins
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I can get a bag, ladder and fan inside a big organic when needed (ofc it's very heavy with that setup!) so the middle can take quite a bit of stuff when needed
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whereas my fans carry my pad for me.
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Thanks Yetix - does the Organic have anything to stop a bag dropping out of the bottom of the mat? The Moon pads have a wrap around flap that does this. Also, do the buckles get stressed through the pad not bending so much with a bag between the two halves?
Hmm - just made my decision a bit more difficult as I'd just about settled on the Moon Saturn :(
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No it doesn't. how about a petzl cirro. I've just replaced my big organic with one of these and it has a clever cover to keep everything in. Went for that because as fantastic as the organic has been they are pretty expensive now. Got the cirro for about £285. Didn't go for a Saturn cos it wouldn't fit in the car boot without the seats down!
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Thanks Yetix - does the Organic have anything to stop a bag dropping out of the bottom of the mat?
Yes there’s a buckle at the ‘bottom’ (when it’s on your shoulders) of the mat
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I feel a bit like a UKC poster as this is pretty off-topic, but it's somewhat related as it's a massive hinged pad and I figure might be useful in case anyone is considering getting one as an alternative to a Saturn/Organic: I have an Alpkit Project, which is fantastic once it's down but shit in every other sense. I'm pretty sure the backpack I took to primary school had a better carrying system, and it doesn't seem to have occurred to the designer that people might want to carry anything in the pad as there wasn't enough slack in the straps when closed for anything more than a jacket when I first got it, and the only reason I can fit a bag in now is due to material stretch and presumably the foam getting a bit softer.
Admittedly it does look like the carry system has been beefed up ever so slightly on the new model but I suspect the strap issue is the same, which is pretty incredible given it comes in at a wildly uncompetitive £499.99...
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Surely that's a mistake on the website?!? Last time I looked at those they were less than £300 (if I remember correctly) and a solid budget option for those who could overlook how awkward they were to carry and some strap/carry system issues.
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Thanks KAC, Teestub. Fitting the mat in the car shouldnt be an issue, however I suspect the Saturn is best unfolded for storage while the Organic could be left folded without any adverse effects.
Good info on the Alpkit Droyd, Chris - being able to easily carry a mat for reasonably long walk-ins is a must have.
Suspect it may well boil down to how much I'm prepared to pay - the Organics look good but significantly more expensive than the Saturn
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I noticed that and assumed it was a typo! There's also the new core pads. They seem to be going for the approach of discreet marketing but from what I could gather one was too big for me and one too small. Being core I'd have thought they'd be good quality and locally produced which is good
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There is a single foam sheet on top of the organic so afraid its also best to store unfolded.
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Yeah I think all pads are best stored unfolded if space allows.
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Surely that's a mistake on the website?!? Last time I looked at those they were less than £300 (if I remember correctly) and a solid budget option for those who could overlook how awkward they were to carry and some strap/carry system issues.
These were 280 not that long ago I thought to! Was considering it as a future replacement for an organic given the increases in prices
Does anyone know how straightforward organic foam replacement wouild be in the uk
And the prices of core pads?
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Thanks KAC - the swingometer heads ever further towards the cheaper Saturn :)
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I looked into getting some new foam on the organic website and just the bottom layer with delivery was £200. Realising all the foam is pretty knackered I gave up and bought the cirro. Hopefully as more pads get older the importer starts stocking it in the uk. Only info I could get on the core pads is from their Instagram posts. Hopefully the pads are better than their marketing! Only downside to the cirro seems to be that you can't strap another pad in it like you can with the organic.
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I rented the big Organic when I was in Albarracin a few months ago and was so impressed I am going to stump up for one. Has anyone got any experience with the back country version? Looks like it is essentially the same but with a padded hip belt (which can be bought as an add-on for the normal pad?) and some more padded and removable shoulder straps. Can't tell if this is a good feature or would be annoying in the long run. Can anyone offer any insight?
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I rented the big Organic when I was in Albarracin a few months ago and was so impressed I am going to stump up for one. Has anyone got any experience with the back country version? Looks like it is essentially the same but with a padded hip belt (which can be bought as an add-on for the normal pad?) and some more padded and removable shoulder straps. Can't tell if this is a good feature or would be annoying in the long run. Can anyone offer any insight?
I've carried one a couple of times and it made a super annoying squeeking noise, and wasn't noticeably more comfortable than the standard pad.
Put it this way the standard Organic is already a) more comfortable than the Saturn and Alpkit (by a factor of about a million for the latter), and b) expensive enough. I wouldn't be spending any more on an overengineered carry system.
This topic has been gone over ad infinitum on here, but it boils down to:
- The Organic is by far the best.
- The Organic is by far the longest lasting.
- Any quibbles with the Organic about fitting stuff into it pale into insignificance when you land on it safely over and over again for years.
- The Organic was the most expensive but Alpkit clearly just don't want to sell any Projects anymore. Usually though, you get what you pay for...
Surely that's a mistake on the website?!? Last time I looked at those they were less than £300 (if I remember correctly) and a solid budget option for those who could overlook how awkward they were to carry and some strap/carry system issues.
These were 280 not that long ago I thought to! Was considering it as a future replacement for an organic given the increases in prices
I bought mine for £200 in late 2019! Quite some inflation there!
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does the taco form, mean a bigger load (i.e. more than one pad) becomes a bit unstable, essentially the surface against your back isn't quite flat or the load distributed so well?
Not in my experience. I regularly carry a Moon Warrior, Grivel and Organic Blubber all strapped to my Saturn (which is usually stuffed with camera, tripod, kit, etc.) and it feels perfectly balanced/weighted. I can't exactly carry it very far but that's my own limitation not the pad ;)
Amazing how much my opinion has changed on this BTW :lol:
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Thanks Bradders :)
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I know a couple of people who really rate the Backfourty (as it is now) particularly for long walk ins and carrying heavy loads.
My normal one squeaks loads these days too!
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I bought the optional hip belt when I got my big organic pad, it helps alot in getting the load onto the hips and I wouldn't want to carry any extra load without it. The biggest drawback is carrying heavy loads inside has ruined the velcro on the shilder straps that hold it central in the middle of the pad. As a result the main shoulder strap now slides from side to side and putting it on is a pain especially when well loaded. I keep meaning to get it stitched in place like a friend did. On the Moon pads the staps holding it shut are are not designed as well for heavy loads inside and I have seen a few which have failed.
Another option to the organic/moon could be the larger flashed pad which is similar to the organic.
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I've a Saturn and I'd give it a thumbs up for carrying. I strap two other pads to it (Ocun Dominator and an old Alpkit something-or-other), stick a camera tripod and warm-up board in it, and it still is relatively comfy and well balanced to carry. The shoulder straps are not getting trashed despite bearing a pretty heavy load.
Downside is it's gone soft a lot quicker than I'd have hoped for.
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Side note, surely there's an emerging market for someone to setup a foam replacement service? I imagine much of the cost of new products is labour (plus wholesale/retail margins). I can't believe that mostly air is *that* expensive. Must be lots of pads out there past their shock absorbing best but with covers and straps in ok condition? I got lucky with some offcuts from a wall refurb but I've had another 2 years from a past it pad for the cost a few quid to MR. Entrepreneur anyone?
Small stock area, cutting facility, bit of expertise on densities for different pads. Shipping is always going to be a nuisance granted.
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You can get replacement foam for a Saturn for £160 but I can’t decide if that money would be better put towards another large pad instead….
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There is a single foam sheet on top of the organic so afraid its also best to store unfolded.
Yeah I think all pads are best stored unfolded if space allows.
Maybe the structure has changed - my Organics are all old - but I've had Organics stored folded the whole time and they're lasting fine (7+ years for the oldest one, still going strong). [caveat: I don't really highball, and obviously maybe the pads would be in an even better state if stored properly!]
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Side note, surely there's an emerging market for someone to setup a foam replacement service? I imagine much of the cost of new products is labour (plus wholesale/retail margins). I can't believe that mostly air is *that* expensive. Must be lots of pads out there past their shock absorbing best but with covers and straps in ok condition? I got lucky with some offcuts from a wall refurb but I've had another 2 years from a past it pad for the cost a few quid to MR. Entrepreneur anyone?
Small stock area, cutting facility, bit of expertise on densities for different pads. Shipping is always going to be a nuisance granted.
Might be a good sideline for an existing gymnastic pads manufacturer, they have the setup already surely.
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I don't think the organic design has changed. It is only the thin top layer that is a one piece but I did post that in response to the suggestion you can store unfolded without 'any' adverse effects. If you have to store folded it's a way better design than a taco pad and the foam lasts ages anyway. It's only after about 9 years using most weeks that it's too soft and it is the fold point that is worst.
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I'm also considering a Moon Saturn or one of the large Organic pads - key question for me is how easy it is to carry a bouldering bag within the pad. This currently works fine with my Moon Warrior (so assume the taco-style Saturn will be similar).
Does anybody have any feedback as to how easy (or otherwise) it is to carry a bouldering bag within one of the larger split style mats such as the Organic big pad? I don't really want to have to carry a mat on my back and a bag over my shoulder as this seems to twist my back on long walk ins
Are you looking to add more pads to it, or to use on its own?
I have a Big organic and two of their regular size pads and I much prefer the two smaller pads strapped together (plus a sit start pad) with a rucksack strapped on top with two bungee cords.
Unless it’s a really short walk I barely use my big pad now (though it’s still great). It is heavy and it sits low which makes it a lot less comfy to walk with (it extends down over my ass which makes me walk a bit hunched).
It’s your comment on twisting your back that made me think of how uncomfortable I find mine.
So whilst it’s a great pad I generally choose the two smaller ones these days over a big + a small.
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Thanks James - but aaargh - more choice!
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But yes, I'm mainly looking to replace an old Moon Warrior so a new medium sized Organic pad with the old Moon Warrior as a backup is definitely a (cheaper) option
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Thanks James - but aaargh - more choice!
Yeah - choice is a pain in the arse!
It really is a great pad and I used it for years as my main pad (rucksack inside). Last year I forgot it once and just had a normal one (or two) with me and the walk-in up to somewhere like the Sheep Pen in North Wales was just transformed for me. It was so much more comfortable.
So unless it’s got no walk in (like Kilnsey) or I want to take extra pads somewhere I just stick with two of the smaller ones which only weigh a tiny bit more than one big one. But I’d probably still take the big one if it was going to be my only pad for the day.
Or maybe I’ve just got my straps setup badly :slap:
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Snap fans: have they sorted out a decent carry system now? Last one I used only had shoulder straps which were lob sided and no waist or chest strap which meant you couldn’t really load it up for long walk ins.
Yes.
I'm honestly not on a mission to slag off all other pad companies, however my friend has the biggest snap pad and the straps are attached as low as possible, therefore half the pad is above shoulder height which makes it particularly top heavy when carrying it, especially if you're shoving things in it too. I just thought it was a very poor design choice.
:wave: I am that friend (I think) and if I had the chance again, I’d get the organic big over the snap (don’t tell 36C...). The cover of my snap is currently off getting fixed as the strap has snapped and various stitchings have come undone, all in less than 6 months... I’ve also had a Saturn before but the foam didn’t last as long as I’d hoped - stored as per instructions...
Get the Organic
Update on this, I've had a big Organic for the past 3.5 years and still going strong. Def longer-lasting than Moon or Snap equivalents.
My advice to "Get the Organic" still relevant, four years on :)
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Saw one of the new Core pads at the Depot, looked the nutz but was £260 for a normal size pad. I imagine the bigger pad will be top dollar, hopes of a homegrown big organic without the added import costs fading away...
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Or maybe I’ve just got my straps setup badly :slap:
I wonder if it is your set up, I regularly carry two big pads strapped together for up to 15 mins walk in maybe, and unless it’s >40 mins or really steep I’ll usually take a large + normal organic.
There is two holes in the back of pad where the straps can go through, so you can move it to the bottom one if it’s not already there and that puts it higher up your back.
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Re the Core pads, they have one of the large Core pads for sale at the Depot in Sheffield. However price is around the 400 quid mark. Look solid and well made though