the guy in the lower right hand photo on that link is the itialian stallion who i climbed with a few years ago when he was over at durham. he is stronger than a mofo.
It coming up to time for me to replace my faithfull Pod mat which i've used very intensivley now for nearly 4 years, the foam is well and truly beaten down, but to pods credit although the outer is beaten and trying to give up at the handle points etc theres no actualy rips, tears or stiching broken.
I'm 99% sure I'm just going to buy another the same, the newer one with the velcro, but the same size. for me that the best size compromise. To be honest i wouldn't even look sideways at a metolious mat. they can make em as big as they want the build quality is still not a patch on Pod's. Plus i heard they ship the covers over from the US then fill with cheap foam from the UK.
I'm also deeply suspicous of general climbing companies adding a generic "nothing special" mat to their range, as they usually blow. Best to get one from a dedicated or semi-dedicated company, like pod, snap or franklyn.
