Crash Pads for Rock Climbing and Bouldering

Crash pads are used with the style of climbing called bouldering. Many climbers prefer bouldering for many reasons. Crash pads are like gymnastics mats but used outdoors for while bouldering. Crash pads help prevent injuries when falling. Climbing is inherently dangerous but if you use a crash pad you will lessen your chance of injury.

A crash pad has layered foam on the inside covered with a durable nylon outer cover. Many crash pads have straps to let you clip your shoes and chalk while hiking in, and pockets to put your keys and wallet. You will carry the crash pad to the crag, so it's important to get one that folds in half and has handles or straps for carrying on your back. Many companies offer removable pockets. Some crash pads come with launch pads for sitting starts.

The upper layer is usually about 4 cm thick and is usually a more dense type of foam. The dense upper layer distributes the impact across the pad. The lower layer of foam is softer. It molds to the shape of the rocks below it. Thicker padding and the number and density of the layers within the crash pad correspond to increased protection.

Crash pads protect you while bouldering and give you a sense of security and help you push the limits of your ability. Be sure you climb with a buddy who can act as a spotter while you climb. Although you're relatively close to the ground, the risk of injury is still present.

Black Diamond Mondo Crash Pad. This bouldering crash pad is made of a full inch of closed-cell foam caps and 4" of open-cell foam. It is large in surface area providing 44" width and 66" length. It has a flat hinge design for easier carrying to the climbing location, with aluminum buckles on the straps with reinforced corners for durability.

Material: The shell is Nylon Cordura; and padding is open- and closed-cell foam
Dimensions: Open it is 44 x 66 x 5in (112 x 168 x 13cm; when folded it is 44 x 33 x 10in (112 x 84 x 13cm)
Carrying Mode: Backpack straps
Weight: 17lb (7,710g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Black Diamond Drop Zone Crash Pad. This climbing crash pad eliminates gaps in the padding by using the one-piece, taco-style folding pad. The landing area is a medium sized pad at 41" x 48" with 3.5" of padding. It has an inch of closed cell foam on top of 2.5" of open cell foam. This gives excellent distribution of force.

Material: The shell is Nylon; and padding is closed- and open-cell foam
Dimensions: 41 x 48 x 3.5in (104 x 122 x 9cm)
Carrying Mode: Shoulder straps, waist-belt, top handle
Weight: 9lb 15oz (4500g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Metolius Cheap Bastard Crash Pad has 4.5" of foam and a diagonal hinge that allows it to fold flat yet eliminate the dead spot that is caused by square hinged crash pads.

Material: The cover is Ripstop nylon; The top is textured nylon with reinforced corners
Padding: Open cell foam is 3.5in (9cm); Closed cell foam is 1in (3cm)
Dimensions: Open it is 36 x 48 x 4.5in (81 x 122 x 11cm); when folded it is 36 x 26 x 9in (91 x 66 x 23cm)
Carrying Mode: Suitcase handle, shoulder straps, waist belt
Weight: 9lb 2oz (4130g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Metolius Fat Bastard Crash Pad. This climbing crash pad has 3" of open-cell foam with a 1" high density closed-cell foam top to make a total of 4" pad when you take a fall bouldering. It has a 45 degree center hinge that lets you fold it flat, and when opened it has no center gutter.

Material: Ballistics nylon, aluminum buckles
Dimensions: Open it is 36 x 48 x 4in; When closed it is 36 x 26 x 8in
Carrying Mode: Backpack or briefcase
Warranty: Limited 1 year

Black Diamond Satellite Crash Pad. The BD Satellite is compact with 3" of foam padding. It has a closed cell foam layer on the top, with open cell body. It folds nicely into a compact size of only 20.5" x 33" x 6", so this bouldering crash pad will fit into the trunk of a car.

Material: The shell is Nylon Cordura; and padding is closed- and open-cell foam
Dimensions: Open it is 41 x 33 x 3in (104 x 84 x 8cm); when folded it is 20.5 x 33 x 6in (52 x 84 x 16cm)
Carrying Mode: Shoulder straps, carry handle
Weight: 6lb 10oz (3000g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Black Diamond Butler Crash Pad. The Butler Crash Pad has 1" of closed cell foam and uses a zip closure. This crash pad is a good choice for sport climbing and bouldering. It has backpack straps to make it easy to get in to the climbing location and has side handles so your spotters can move it to keep the crash pad under you while bouldering.

Material: Nylon
Dimensions: Open it is 34 x 38 x 1in (86 x 96 x 2.5cm); when folded it is 17 x 38 x 2in (43 x 96 x 5cm)
Padding: Closed cell foam is 1in (2.5cm)
Carrying Mode: Backpack straps, handles
Weight: 3lb 5oz (1500g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Black Diamond Impact Crash Pad. The Impact is thick, at 3.5". It is made with a dual density pad. It is a version of the Drop Zone BD crash pad for bouldering. It has no pockets, with a hinge free folding design and shoulder straps. It is a large bouldering crash pad, great for climbing protection.

Material: The shell is Nylon; and padding is closed- and open-cell foam
Dimensions: 41 x 48 x 3.5in (104 x 122 x 9cm)
Carrying Mode: Shoulder straps, waist-belt, top handle
Weight: 9lb 14oz (4400g)
Warranty: 1 Year

Metolius Sketch Crash Pad is is a smaller size and sleek with no add ons to weigh you down. This crash pad gives good climbing protection when you don't need a lot of extras. It is a good starter pad for new climbers and gives a nice landing area with 2" of open-cell foam and an inch of closed-cell foam on top. It has removable shoulder straps.

Material: Nylon
Padding: Open cell foam is 2in (5cm); Closed cell foam is 1in (3cm)
Dimensions: Open it is 42 x 32in (107 x 81 x 8cm); when folded it is 21 x 32 x 6in (53 x 81 x 16cm)
Carrying Mode: Removable backpack straps
Warranty: 1 Year

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