UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => equipment => Topic started by: shark on November 05, 2017, 09:45:28 am
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Comprehensive pad review here:
https://climbinggearreviewsuk.wordpress.com/2017/11/04/ultimate-guide-to-bouldering-crashpads-2018/
Don't know who wrote it but a great write up. :2thumbsup:
Be good to add any other pad reviews to this thread.
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Good link. I'd like to see a long term test of how the foam / construction holds up over time. I personally think (naming no names) that build / foam quality has decreased in recent years as manufacturers look to cut costs.
I'm also not convinced that Moon pads have the polythene to protect the foam from UK weather as the review claims. More likely it makes getting the foam into the pad easier. On the downside this can lead to a 'slipping' effect of the foam against the outer shell in some cases where the landing isn't perfectly flat.
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What are your recommended pick of the pads Chris?
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I don't think the perfect pad exists (for me anyway). From what I've owned / used over the past year or so (and I've done a lot of bouldering / falling off this year ;))
Snap wrap (with their fancy individual cell construction) - great for landing on (probably the best I've used). Bulkier than other pads and with a velcro system for holding the harness straps on which has an annoying habit of coming loose on long walk ins.
Organic pads - bought two when we came to North America. Really impressed with the foam and build quality. The design means that the straps are on the underside of the pad when in use which is fine in perma-dry Bishop but more of an issue in UK mud unless you take a tarp with you. Biggest downside is probably the cost from importing them. 175 dollars for a simple pad in the US v 180 quid at Banana fingers.
Moon Saturn - when you positively, absolutely have to have the biggest landing zone in the place. Massive size makes wrapping other pads inside it easy when you want multiple pads. Think I've sandwiched an extra two inside it before. I like the folding strip which keeps the straps dry and out the way when in use and secures your gear when carrying the pad. My only issue is some of the stitching is starting to give but it has seen some abuse. Pitched off the top of Misericorde onto it with no issues.
Ideal for me would be Moon design with Organic foam / build quality.
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I've had a Moon Saturn for over 18 months. Rate it. Foam beginning to give but no issues with stitching. The new model has a waist belt which would be good. Tend to bungee cord other mats to it rather than put them inside. Taken a highish horizontal fall onto it recently with little damage which was encouraging
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I've just bought a Moon Warrior.
My non-negotiables are having the floor-side on the inside when folded, which rules out loads. Also needs to be 1m wide on the small side to fit into car boot. The Moon seemed to be the best all round option at the moment for this. It's also got a decent carrying system, and the fold-over carpet thing is a genuinely good design. Also a grab-handle on the long side is a good move.
The only other options I had in mind were the Snap with the aircells, but having carted the Moon around font for a week at no point did I wish that my pad weighed and extra 3kg and cost and extra ton. Plus, as Chris says the velcro thing on their straps seems an obvious design flaw, esp given they are heavy pads even when heavy.
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I've had a Moon Saturn for over 18 months. Rate it. Foam beginning to give but no issues with stitching. The new model has a waist belt which would be good. Tend to bungee cord other mats to it rather than put them inside. Taken a highish horizontal fall onto it recently with little damage which was encouraging
When you say you bungee cord your mats together, how and what length cords.
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Quite thick heavy duty ones about 18-24in I'd guess. Didn't buy them specially - they were just knocking around the house. Use just two - top and bottom around both mats. Couldn't be simpler. Sometimes feel like I'm wrestling a bear to get the hooks to interlock. I treat it as the warm down
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I've got one of the original Snap Wraps. Best thing I've ever landed on. Heavy and bulky even when folded. Want to store flat really as thick taco (though when the middle has started to feel soft I've moved the foam blocks around which worked really well. Foam still going strong after 3 years+ Never had any issue with straps coming loose, and like how quick and easy it is to clear them out the way of landing zone. That said I think Moon have the best solution for this.
Other half has a Petzl Cirros - not been out with it that much but initial impressions - big, not too heavy, comfy harness, zip closure/harness cover works well and is great for stuffing all sorts of shit into. does take a minute or so to do so a bit of a pain to lug around between boulders, and not yet sure about foam longevity.
I've also got an S7 pad from ~ 2003 which is completely usable still :2thumbsup:
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I'm also not convinced that Moon pads have the polythene to protect the foam from UK weather as the review claims. More likely it makes getting the foam into the pad easier. On the downside this can lead to a 'slipping' effect of the foam against the outer shell in some cases where the landing isn't perfectly flat.
You can just rip this out without having to take all the foam out and bingo, more secure landings.
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Organic pads - bought two when we came to North America. Really impressed with the foam and build quality. The design means that the straps are on the underside of the pad when in use which is fine in perma-dry Bishop but more of an issue in UK mud unless you take a tarp with you. Biggest downside is probably the cost from importing them. 175 dollars for a simple pad in the US v 180 quid at Banana fingers.
The wrap around flap on the Organic pad folds back (and can be secured with the buckles) over the shoulder straps for times when it's in use on a wet or muddy landing.
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any views on the best small pad? Moon Pluto? Anything that will fit inside a medium sized taco pad. (Old franklin one)
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As someone who suffers from a frequently buggered back from falling off lots, I have nothing but praise for the ocun dominator. Noticeably nice to land on compared to any other pad. Quite light to carry thanks to clever foam system. Only downside is its so thick, it might not be that great next to another pad.
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Agree totally with the above. For some of the probs I'm working on it's a tad too think (yes, bum drag traverses).
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Ocun dominators are great. Think my big Snap is slightly better to land on, but it does way a ton in comparison.
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whey?
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After much consideration, I went with a Snap Wrap (in a fetching burgundy red) a year or more ago and, whilst I don't get out as much of some, it's still seen regular use during that time. Best pad I've ever had. Did have some issues with the carry strap coming undone when I first got it but paying attention when securing it has alleviated this completely.
It is heavy and I have been known to curse it when walking out from somewhere like Talfarach but in terms of a comfy landing, this is a price I'm more than happy to pay. As others said, storing it flat is a must but I expect to have a good few years use out of it at it's current rate!
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Thinking of getting a BD Drop Zone as a second pad. Have they improved since the late 00s after buying Franklin and turning them shit?
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Currently in the market for a moon saturn but the market doesn't seem to exist, anyone familiar with moon restock dates? Seems genuinely impossible to buy one at the moment, especially annoying when looking at old websites saying they were once up for £235.
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Market for pads seems to have gone mental recently. I mean Organic pads have always been expensive, but best part of £400 now for a big pad?! Snap likewise. I imagine the Saturn has sold out quickly purely because it's the only one that's still moderately affordable. Sure I saw them in stock only a couple of weeks ago so you might just have missed the boat.
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Anyone had an alpkit project before ? looks fucking massive not sure about quality though
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Anyone had an alpkit project before ? looks fucking massive not sure about quality though
Im biased as my sister designed them.
They got good reviews initially, but for some inexplicable reason they changed the carrying system from a proper backpack setup to some shitty little straps. Just looking at their website now the pics all have the backpack setup again so maybe they've re-instated it?
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Regular size organics were c.190-200 at Go-Outdoors a week or so ago....
Suspect with Brexitness the differential between EU and US pads will be less...
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Get this Chrome extension (https://www.joinhoney.com/page/DR-UK-Evergreen-Simplified-Widget-Yellow) and one of the codes on there will save you a further £20. I just got a full pad for £185, thanks for the heads up TomTom!
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is that the "simple"?
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Anyone had an alpkit project before ? looks fucking massive not sure about quality though
I have it and it is indeed colossal. It's nice once you've got it to the crag but can be a hassle getting it there. The backpack style straps are ok but the pad sits quite high on your back, so there's a good few feet of it sticking up above your head and it does a great job of acting like a parachute - I'm sure I've borderline levitated on Ilkely moor so be careful on exposed edges. It also doesn't play nicely strapping to other pads without extra straps or cord.
It's great to land on though, i've fallen from over head height straight onto my back and been absolutely fine. It feels noticeably safer than other pads i've used. Quality wise I've had no complaints over my 18 months of ownership and I haven't particularly looked after it.
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is that the "simple"?
They have both the simple and the full - the additional coupon code is SAVE10 which makes the Simple cost £174 or the Full (with the extra carry strap and cover) £185.
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Bugger. Temptation, thy name is new pads.
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Anyone had an alpkit project before ? looks fucking massive not sure about quality though
I have the Alpkit Project. I bought mine in November last year and have used it at least twice a week, every week (including during lockdown as I use it for my board).
I'd recommend the version I have in a heartbeat. I got it for £200 when Alpkit were having a site wide sale, so it was unbeatable value for money wise and their customer service was brilliant (they didn't have any in stock, but I emailed them asking if they'd make one for me, and they did!).
The foam is great and I really like that it has two closed cell layers. It makes it great to land on on uneven surfaces. So far it's holding up well and I haven't noticed it soften that much. It's also very thick, which again makes it very comfy to land on regardless of height.
It's also absolutely flipping massive. It genuinely just won't fit in most cars. It's bigger than any other pad on the market, which is great as long as you can get it to the crag; I've often been able to go out with just the Project where previously I'd have taken two other pads. I wouldn't say it's any heavier than others though.
The carry system is good and comfortable, although I did recently break it and had to sew the straps back on (I'd been strapping two other pads, plus fan, etc. to it, so not that surprising).
HOWEVER....I understand that since I bought mine they've completely changed the carry system. UKC reviewed it recently and were scathing, rightly so. I can only guess that they needed to cut costs, as it sounds like the new version is a total pain to lug around (apparently the straps just fall off at times and are only secured with velcro centrally, which comes off as soon as you try to carry anything else in it). Have a look at the UKC review.
Hope that helps.
Six months on the foam is still good. Never have any worries landing on it and I think the sandwich construction with two layers of closed cell foam either side of an open cell layer helps with this. Had it for 18 months or so now so it's doing well considering it was only £200!
Yes it's not quite as well constructed as an Organic but just as good as Moon and with some nice features like the included tarp (not sure if they're still doing that). Only question is whether you can get it in your car, it really is flipping huge.
And I also wouldn't buy it if they've still got the terrible carry system on it, as opposed to the decent rucksack style set up that mine has.
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Anyone had a look at those new pads from Flashed, i.e. the 'Big Squishy'? I was fairly settled on investing in an Organic Big Pad in the near future, but am considering alternatives given the eye watering prices. They look well made and carry system looks good too.
https://rockrun.com/collections/bouldering-mats/products/flashed-big-squishy?variant=42202469335221
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My conclusion with pads is that the saying "buy cheap, buy twice" rings completely true. For years I tried the alternatives (Moon and Alpkit) and initial smug satisfaction at saving money turned to disappointment at having to replace them far earlier than expected. Having finally bitten the bullet and bought an Organic I certainly don't regret it.
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My conclusion with pads is that the saying "buy cheap, buy twice" rings completely true. For years I tried the alternatives (Moon and Alpkit) and initial smug satisfaction at saving money turned to disappointment at having to replace them far earlier than expected. Having finally bitten the bullet and bought an Organic I certainly don't regret it.
Damn, are Moon considered cheaper? :( I was under the impression they were one of the better ones.
I will say though, to anyone with tears or holes in your pads, take them to alpkit and they’ll repair them for like £15 it’s bloody great service and quick too!
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I have an older moon saturn (I got it 2nd hand in 2017) and a newer model (2020ish) the older has much better foam than the newer (it's been used far more and yet its foam is in much better condition).
+1 for organic been the best, imo worth the extra cost.
I believe alpkit project now has the straps which bradders older model used to have.
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Damn, are Moon considered cheaper? :( I was under the impression they were one of the better ones.
I will say though, to anyone with tears or holes in your pads, take them to alpkit and they’ll repair them for like £15 it’s bloody great service and quick too!
Well yeah, £292 for the Saturn on Rock and Run versus £418 for the big Organic. Even this new Flashed pad is more expensive than the Moon.
I have two Moon Warriors and they've held up amazingly well over something like 7 years of pretty much constant use, but like Yetix my Saturn is only good for use under my board now.
Agree on Alpkit service though. When I bought my Project pad from them they didn't have it in stock, but had a website sale where it was shown priced at £200. I sent them an email asking if there was anything they could do and they had one made and shipped within a week! For £200! For the biggest pad you can buy! Shame it went soft within the space of a year or so, at which point I finally forked out for the Organic.
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That’s some good knowledge, ta fellers! I will say I’ve had the Saturn for a year and it has started going soft but I’ve mostly been using it as the big boy across smaller pads which seems to add some nice cushioning.
Organic pads look amazing but £500 is too much to fork out atm :o
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I've got a Saturn which was previously Gollums of this parish and its amazing. No idea how I managed without a big pad for so long. The zip has failed though so am going to have to get alpkit to sew it up.
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I believe alpkit project now has the straps which bradders older model used to have.
Meant to say...the history with this is the original Project had a rucksack style system (which mine has), then they replaced it with an extremely basic set of straps, and have now reverted to something in between. To be clear though; they're all rubbish in comparison to the Organic carry system. Not that it matters if you're only carrying it short distances of course.
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So what is the pads leagues then? Who is premiership big 3, 1st division etc etc
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Has anyone had a close look at or used the new core pads?
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Noticed the Dave Parry had one
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Yeah I've got one.
Similar back system to the moon pads with Cores foam which you'd expect to be good.
I believe they're aiming for top end Organic quality so I wouldn't expect budget price.
No problems with mine as yet, 4 months in with old knees that would turn to dust with a shit pad..
Nice to have a decent Pad option made locally. (Sheff)
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I just bought a Snap Grand Guts for £300 plus £14 postage which, given the size seems pretty good vfm. Not sure how it will hold but I was pleasantly surprised how light it felt.
The Franklin pad I have is showing no signs of wear but I expect they are difficult to get hold of!
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I rate the ocun dominator, mines had 6 years of pretty heavy use and is still going strong.
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So what is the pads leagues then? Who is premiership big 3, 1st division etc etc
Organic = Manchester City - the best, which you’d hope given how much they cost.
Black Diamond = Manchester United - inexplicably popular considering how rubbish they are.
Moon = Chelsea - a contender but are they still as good after recent changes?
Alpkit = Brighton - Good value.
Ocun = West Ham - Also good value, with added Czech.
Psychi = Fulham - A bit rubbish. Supported by Londoners and tourists who don’t know much about football.
Franklin = Blackburn Rovers - Strong in the early 00s. Now disappeared.
Feel free to make further suggestions...
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Missing from this list are the new Troll pads which look pretty good, probably like a better quality Alpkit. Someone jump in a give a less biased review (my mate designed them)...
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The Franklin pad I have is showing no signs of wear but I expect they are difficult to get hold of!
My dropzone was about 10 years old, and showing no signs of damage. I left it in a cave where the sea wouldn't be able to get to it, but underestimated N Sea storms. It's now probably part of Pacific Garbage Patch; I was gutted for a) losing it and b) contribution to marine pollution.
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Snap = Paris Saint-Germain, strong national performer
Grivel = Plucky outsiders, some non professional players
Crash = Dukla Prague (away). Sounds exotic, nobody knows much about them
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I left it in a cave where the sea wouldn't be able to get to it, but underestimated N Sea storms. It's now probably part of Pacific Garbage Patch; I was gutted for a) losing it and b) contribution to marine pollution.
A certain N. Walean climber with a phd in all things ocean, tides and currents left a few pads in a safe stash on Anglesey. Obv they weren't safe and disappeared in a big sea. 1 was a DMM pad with his name on it and a few months later we (DMM) had a call from someone in Liverpool saying they had found something swept up on a beach made by DMM and with the name P**e on it. The other was an old Metolius 1 and about 6 months later I was walking out from another Anglsey crag with said climbers wife (said climber was staying longer at the crag to hoover up some remaining new lines) when we came across the outer of the metolius pad but with no foam. We carried it out and left it on his van windscreen. Either Mr Ro**ns is very carless or his phd is actually a fake and he has no idea about tides.
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Beal- Olympique Marseille, very popular in France, rarely seen elsewhere in Europe.
Troll- Huddersfield Town, history of garish designs. Back as contenders “in and around” the top flight but their real glory days are in the distant past.
Mad Rock- BSC Young Boys, probably quite good but their inexplicably unattractive name puts anyone off finding out.
Petzl- Bayern Munich, euro giants, so consistently successful that it’s easy to forget they’re in the game at all.
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Missing from this list are the new Troll pads which look pretty good, probably like a better quality Alpkit. Someone jump in a give a less biased review (my mate designed them)...
Look like a decent design, apart from the sewn in shoulder straps maybe, but with those dimensions and that price they're pitching themselves against the normal sized Organic, which takes some beating.
As with all pads (as Bradders testifies) you will only really have a decent answer to how good they are in a few years time!
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A bar towel: Accrington - around since day 1, never going to end up progressing upwards but equally it ain't going away soon. Small but loyal fanbase.
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I spotted one of the new Flashed pads in the Depot this morning; gave it a quick squeeze and I would be utterly amazed if they have any sort of longevity. I appreciate that's not much of a product test but, sometimes you just know.
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I got back into bouldering 3 years ago after a long sport climbing hiatus (timing of a pandemic entirely coincidental!), and bought an Organic Full Pad (92 x 122 x 10 cm) and an Occun Dominator (100 x 132 x 14.5 cm) at roughly the same time, for roughly equal prices. The foam on the Organic has stayed a lot firmer but although the Dominator is a more spongy, it's still the pad I put under the top-out of any boulder - the area and depth are just more reassuring - those extra cm's seem pretty significant when wobbling!
When the walk-in is long and I can only take one pad, I usually take the Dominator - despite it's relatively crap carrying straps (the slight softness does have some advantages though - as I can shove a fan / tripod inside it - the Organic is too hard to accept such intrusions). The Organic foam is still really robust and the carrying straps are great, but in retrospect I think their full pad is best used as a "second pad". If it's your only pad, a bigger model is better - and if you can't afford to spend nearly £400 on a proper big pad, £235 ish on a Dominator, which a "large small pad", is a decent compromise.
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A certain N. Walean climber with a phd in all things ocean, tides and currents left a few pads in a safe stash on Anglesey. Obv they weren't safe and disappeared in a big sea.
Great story. I did actually find one washed up in a bay on the coast not far from me (was it Flashed that had the manga style woman on them with a sword?) It was completely waterlogged, and I dragged it up as far as i could onto the shore (I had baby daughter with me) and left it to dry. I went back a week later and it was gone, either reclaimed (by waves or wind) or hopefully someone found it and put it use, but I never saw her again. (The woman on the pad, not my daughter).
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very timely thread (for me at least) - going to finally escape HK after 3-years without travel and make a trip back to see the folks in Oct (we currently still get locked up in quarantine for a week after going abroad - but the rumours are that will have hopefully vanished by Nov)
Will spend a week of this up in the Peak (24-31 Oct if anyone is about and fancies a session or a beer) so need to grab myself a new pad for UK use - currently only have a first gen Metolius at my folks (assuming they've not binned it (or my brother didn't steal it) at some point in the last 20-years...). Was thinking Moon Warrior plus Organic Slider as a nice simple combo but open to other suggestions if people think there's a similarly priced alternative to that's better than the Warrior. Thoughts on Snap Grand Stamina? Looks similar but without the benefit of clean straps
P.S. i have a bunch of Organic here in HK (full, half, briefcase, blubber and slider) and for single pad (plus Slider) options, think i actually preferred the Moon for it's bigger, thicker landing surface.
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You’re welcome to borrow my pads for the week. I’ll be abroad then.
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You’re welcome to borrow my pads for the week. I’ll be abroad then.
super kind offer - but am anticipating coming back to the UK a bit more frequent in the coming years as parents are knocking on a bit so it'll be pretty handy to have a pad stashed for these visits
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I spotted one of the new Flashed pads in the Depot this morning; gave it a quick squeeze and I would be utterly amazed if they have any sort of longevity. I appreciate that's not much of a product test but, sometimes you just know.
I'll keep saving then. I figure with my current usage (or lack of) I would get a pretty hefty lifespan out of an organic. My simple pad is doing great after 3yrs or so.
After years of lugging around 3 regular pads, 2 of which are at the end of their life, a bigger pad is pretty tempting!
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I think Bradders probably gives his pads more hammer than most on here, especially if they still live under your board Bradders? Have to say I've only noticed the softness of pads when they're completely ancient. Even then I would still happily land on them for everything except highball stuff. Obviously ymmv!
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In reply to Moose:
I really rate the Dominator too. I've had one for a few years and the foam is still pretty good. The thickness is reassuring and the two opening orientations are really handy too. I use mine in 'traverse mode' quite a lot and I love having that option.
My other two are: ancient Alpkit taco pad. My first pad. I just carry it to fill in gaps/build platforms these days.
Moon Saturn. My main pad. Reassuringly massive, can tuck gear (warmup board, tripod, water bottle etc) in the fold if needed. The carry system is decent enough, even when the other two pads are strapped to it as well. I would say this has gone soft quicker than expected, although it does get a lot of use. Mostly in the middle landing circle, and, unsurprisingly, along the 'fold zone' as I'm not always scrupulous about storing it open. In two minds as to replace the foam eventually at £160, or keep it as another 'filler' pad and try a different large pad. Got to say I'd be very reluctant to pay anywhere near £400 for a damn bouldering pad though.
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For another view on the Alpkit Project, i've had mine for a few years and it's been used every time i've gone out on rock, typically once per week, and it's also lived under my board, which is used twice per week. It hasn't been particularly well looked after and is starting to soften a bit now but I'm still happy falling from 6m+ onto just this pad.
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For another view on the Alpkit Project, i've had mine for a few years and it's been used every time i've gone out on rock, typically once per week, and it's also lived under my board, which is used twice per week. It hasn't been particularly well looked after and is starting to soften a bit now but I'm still happy falling from 6m+ onto just this pad.
You must have younger knees than me :)
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I think Bradders probably gives his pads more hammer than most on here, especially if they still live under your board Bradders? Have to say I've only noticed the softness of pads when they're completely ancient. Even then I would still happily land on them for everything except highball stuff. Obviously ymmv!
What, cause I fall off all the time? Thanks mate :lol:
For another view on the Alpkit Project, i've had mine for a few years and it's been used every time i've gone out on rock, typically once per week, and it's also lived under my board, which is used twice per week. It hasn't been particularly well looked after and is starting to soften a bit now but I'm still happy falling from 6m+ onto just this pad.
Disclaimer; Liam is very strong and extremely brave....
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I had a big organic for years and it travelled loads lasted a really long time and was excellent to use. It was a bit of a bigger to lug around though so at the moment I’m mainly getting out and about with a couple of the organic pads ( full and simple ) which strap together to carry really well and have been absolutely fine for the majority of stuff.
Gives you more surface area for low stuff that travels and you can stack them for a softer landing on bigger stuff if needed.
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I'll be plumbing some money into one of the big Snap pads in the near future.
Would be curious to hear some experience about the Grand Wrap vs Grand Guts. Part of me is very attracted by the foldability of the Guts but also not psyched about the idea of nailing the fold point from 5m+ on highballs.
Also curious about the difference in storage of shoes etc because I imagine the taco design is better for that?
Cheers :w00t:
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For another view on the Alpkit Project, i've had mine for a few years and it's been used every time i've gone out on rock, typically once per week, and it's also lived under my board, which is used twice per week. It hasn't been particularly well looked after and is starting to soften a bit now but I'm still happy falling from 6m+ onto just this pad.
For yet another view on the Aplkit Project, I've had mine for ~ 18 months or so. Apart from being massive, everything else about it is a bit pants. One of the shoulder straps is starting to pull away from the pad. Stability for such a high sitting pad would really benefit from a chest strap, which it doesn't have. The top layer of foam (in two parts) is constantly sliding across the hinge. The compression straps are, inexplicably, very short, making it difficult to stuff anything inside.
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I'll be plumbing some money into one of the big Snap pads in the near future.
Would be curious to hear some experience about the Grand Wrap vs Grand Guts. Part of me is very attracted by the foldability of the Guts but also not psyched about the idea of nailing the fold point from 5m+ on highballs.
Also curious about the difference in storage of shoes etc because I imagine the taco design is better for that?
Cheers :w00t:
The Grand Guts is nice to land on and I've never had an issue with the fold point being a weakness on any folding pad including this one. I've repeatedly fell from well over 5m onto just the Snap pad and it was fine, although it should be said that I'm generally pretty comfortable falling from height onto any pad (spending most of my childhood and teenage years on a BMX / skateboard = a black belt in falling). I've only had it for a few months so can't say much about durability but it seems well made.
One thing I've found annoying is that it sometimes makes a squeaking noise on the walk-in when I strap another pad to it. This is due to it being slightly floppy as a result of the air system and the material it's made from. I usually carry my tripod in the pad but have always worn a backpack on my chest for everything else.
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I have a Snap Wrap, so may as well add my add my 2 pence worth:
Durability/ longevity - mine is now about 4 1/2 years old and is holding up well, no doubt it's a little softer than when new, but I'll happily use it for highballs. There is some superficial wear on the corners, but they're nowhere near to wearing through. All the straps fasten with velcro, despite some initial reservations they continue to all work well. Otherwise no issues.
Carrying - I usually carry a small bag and supplimentary pad inside, with another pad on the back if needed. No issues with carrying, they are quite heavy pads, but it's worth it for the durability and padding provided.
Folding - mines the taco style - no middle fold, putting aside the obvious differences for storage the lack of a fold can effect usage: They are quite stiff pads and very determined to lie flat, as such folding them up can be quite a tussle, I usually have to fold it in half while it's laid on the ground and then sit or kneel on the pad in order to fasten the straps. If you are doing a circuit of problems or moving between boulders frequently then repeatedly wrestling it shut to move it soon becomes quite an annoyance (it's size, weight and desire to be flat mean carrying it unfolded for anything more than a short distance is hard work).
Hope that's of some use.
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I'll be plumbing some money into one of the big Snap pads in the near future.
Would be curious to hear some experience about the Grand Wrap vs Grand Guts. Part of me is very attracted by the foldability of the Guts but also not psyched about the idea of nailing the fold point from 5m+ on highballs.
I have an (original) Gwrap and a mate has the Gguts - I love mine but tbh when I replace it Ill probably get a guts, purely for more conveinent storage. the hinge never felt like a worry to me when using his. I've moved the foam cubes in mine around a few times over the years and I think they're a great idea for increasing the life of taco pads - avoids issue of foam deteriorating along the fold.
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If you're ever in Albarracin or come across Mushroom pads I'd recommend checking them out. Last time I checked their 140x100 was 230 eur. I got mine 4 years now and it still looks and feels as new. It's been stashed out during the summer and been used frequently. I would get another one if it wasn't for the shipping prices atm. Also they are almost as pretty as the organic ones.
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I thought we’d decided stashing pads was the new evil?? :worms: :smart:
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Anyone tried the new core pads? The other options are either the new dominator with the waist strap or a moon pad.
Got a lot of love for my current dominator but feel obliged to explore the options now pads cost such a wedge.
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Anyone tried the new core pads? The other options are either the new dominator with the waist strap or a moon pad.
Got a lot of love for my current dominator but feel obliged to explore the options now pads cost such a wedge.
I’ve had the moon Saturn for around a year and a half and it’s already trashed and lost all its sturdyness. I’d recommend something other than moon I think. Gonna be retiring mine to the board and getting something more sturdy like Organic
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Anyone tried the new core pads? The other options are either the new dominator with the waist strap or a moon pad.
Got a lot of love for my current dominator but feel obliged to explore the options now pads cost such a wedge.
If your dominator's cover is still in decent nick and it's the foam that's gone. You can buy replacement foam direct from Ocun. Just send them a message and they'll organise to send it via there UK distributor. That was a while back so I'm unsure if it's still the case.
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Anyone tried the new core pads? The other options are either the new dominator with the waist strap or a moon pad.
Got a lot of love for my current dominator but feel obliged to explore the options now pads cost such a wedge.
I’ve had the moon Saturn for around a year and a half and it’s already trashed and lost all its sturdyness. I’d recommend something other than moon I think. Gonna be retiring mine to the board and getting something more sturdy like Organic
You've probably had 500 sessions in that time though! ;D But, noted.
Good knowledge on the Ocun foam replacement. The outer has seen better days but I'd be tempted by some fresh foam and keeping it as a second pad.
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Pretty sure Moon also offers foam and cover replacements… my Moon pads have always stood the test of time exceptionally well, but admittedly don’t get used as much as I’d like
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Pretty sure Moon also offers foam and cover replacements…
Opening up the possibility of a Pad of Theseus 😂
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Or Trigger’s
Broom Pad for the less classically educated.
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Had a couple of generations of snap pads. Current one in use is the large green/red highball style. Really nice to land on & provides a lot of confidence as it also stays put due to a decently grippy underside & its weight. The weight being the main downside compared to the missus’s ocun dominator which is surprisingly light for the size so i often just take that one if on my own. The ocun seems to slide/skid about a bit if the ground isnt flat though
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Has anyone been using a Core Titan pad?
I'm retiring my Moon Saturn which now has the ankle-protecting consistency of scrunched up tissue paper, and need a new large 'main' pad. I get out a fair bit so it needs to be able to take a battering, and I've come round to the idea that I'm going to have to shell out a few quid to this end. I also like the idea of buying something local, supporting local business etc.
So, is a Titan as good as it looks?
Cheers, Chris.