Carrying Multiple Pad

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UnkArl

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Nov 2, 2013
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Has anyone got any experience or opinions on the various option for carrying two (or more) pads lashed together?

It’s that time of year again when my folks are trying to get pressie ideas and I always draw a blank… but I recently saw the Black Diamond Piggy back strap thingy at The Depot and thought it might be worth a punt. Organic also do a version and I think I remember seeing another one a while back to but can’t remember what/where. My current (very sub-optimal) solution is to either hook the shoulder straps of lightest pad over the corners of the pad on my back (which makes it sit very high), or I lash two pads together with a strap (which often shifts or works loose on longer walk-ins). So I’m wondering if the made-for-purpose ones are fit-for-purpose?

BD Piggyback

Snap Pad Flap

Organic Load Flap
 
I normally use use a length of 25mm webbing with some buckles for adjustment, loop through the shoulder straps on pad 2 so they never get lost, then sling the loop over the top of pad 1.

The shoulders on pad 1 stop it from sinking too low, and the fact that it's looped through the straps on pad 2 means that it could only ever come off if it is lifted directly off pad 1, which could only happen accidentally if it's a bit loose and very windy. Or maybe if you topple head first down a hill.

If I have a third pad I will loosen the strap a little and wedge it between the two. I did use an Organic load strap on a recent trip and it worked quite well, but only really if your base pad is Organic due to the hooking points
 
Two lengths of webbing terminating in clippable / adjustable buckles, one looped length-ways (helps stops carpets and tarps falling out of the bottom), one looped width-ways. Slightly cheaper than the BD version.

Also can have a 3rd small pad flipped over the top using a long lone shoulder strap.
 
Go to B&Q or your hardware shop of choice and buy a simple ratchet strap for £5. Doesn't make a great Christmas present but does the same job as the branded things for a fraction of the cost and without needing all your pads to be the same brand.
 
BD one looks nice, I’ve got the Organic one which you need the pad it’s attaching to to be Organic, but can have any others stacked on top.

I think having the bit of material in the middle and several straps is probably a bit kinder to the foam in the pad that’s getting squashed down, particularly if you’re carrying more weight (ladder etc.) and it needs to be tight.
 
IMG_20240428_152133933_HDR.jpg



I have dmm highballs that link together, so it's only an issue with more than 2, as you get a bit top heavy. I was wearing 2 and then using the strap of the third attached to the forth so 3&4 can hang either side like panniers.

Then I lashed a ladder to a wheelchair axle...

I think there's buyable versions of this designed for hiking, plus you get doggy carriers for bikes second hand on eBay which looks adaptable.
 
Bradders said:
Go to B&Q or your hardware shop of choice and buy a simple ratchet strap for £5. Doesn't make a great Christmas present but does the same job as the branded things for a fraction of the cost and without needing all your pads to be the same brand.

This. I have some Fiamm ones that came with a bike rack and do the job well.
 
Ross Barker said:
I normally use use a length of 25mm webbing with some buckles for adjustment, loop through the shoulder straps on pad 2 so they never get lost, then sling the loop over the top of pad 1.

This.

One roofrack strap off ebay for less than 2 fuckalls.

(cheap year for your parents :lol:)
 
Coii you pls of haulage straps from Amazon for me.

Supplementary question: neither of my pads has a hip belt. Any ideas for a standalone add-on/bodge?
 
I'd recommend spending a little more on the ratchet straps as they'll last forever and the sh*t cheapo ones are annoying as hell. Ones with a notch in the ratchet so you don't have to feed the entire free end are 8).
 
I've got an Edelrid Crux (bought from someone on here 10years ago https://ukbouldering.com/threads/edelrid-crux-bouldering-mat-£120-ono.24598/post-456382 ). It is thinner than most pads but 2m long and rolls up to carry

I've long wanted a second large pad (I'm very timid and clumsy and boulder alone) but I held back mostly due to being tight fisted but also because I struggled to imagine how I could strap the Edelrid to another pad since the Edelrid is a sort of cylinder shape when rolled.

Anyway, I recently bit the bullet and got a Snap Grand Wham despite not knowing how I'd carry them or fit them in my tiny Skoda Citigo.

Force of circumstance gave me the realization that the Edelrid can just wrap around the other pad. I just fold the Snap pad, wrap the Edelrid around it and put a rachet strap around. It means I don't need to attach the carrying straps to the Snap pad. The Edelrid carrying straps are very comfy, the weight distribution is even. The combo fits in the car fine etc.

I've seen lots of people walking about with multiple folding pads stacked but my Russian-doll style of enveloping an inner large pad within an outer wrap pad isn't something I've notice other people do. I'd recommend it though.
 
This is all organic-centric but...

For carrying two big organics (and plenty of extras stuffed in) I replaced my ratchet strap with the organic load strap and it felt way better. Much better distribution of load and the whole thing feels more stable and comfier on my back. I also find it easier to set up as you don't have to wrap it around all the pads.

However, the most significant upgrade was when I got the organic muffin protector. Which makes a world of difference.

Also, using my stiffest pad as the base pad makes a big difference for comfort and stability (obviously). Just something to bare in mind.
 
Another vote for the Organic load strap. Note that only the base pad has to be Organic. I rend to reach for my BD circuit as my second pad as it's so light compared to my other Organic which is the same size but much weightier.
 

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