Learn why you should considering using a crash pad the next time you go out bouldering.
Now when you're climbing in the gym, there's no problem. Either you have a safety harness and you're working with a top rope, or you've got pads down below or some other soft material to break a potential fall. Either way, a missed hold is no big deal. You just get back up and try again, or your belayer lowers you down to the floor for another shot.
But this is not the case when you're out bouldering, climbing in the wild without the gym ropes or equipment to break your fall. Instead of the safety and protection that comes along with a gym membership, you must provide your own safety net. For many people, the answer is a crash pad. Taken along on a bouldering trip, a crash pad provides safety while maintaining the freedom and spontaneity of bouldering. Crash pads are the best of both worlds.
Often, one of the draws of bouldering is the perceived danger and freedom of it. Instead of a tightly-controlled environment, like the one in a gym, a climber can do what they want and climb where they want. There are no planned routes, no brightly colored bits of tape guiding your progress. Any rock or boulder is an option. But a crash pad can follow you anywhere. Portable enough to be carried into any location, a crash pad is no impediment to a climber's freedom. In fact, most models nowadays include their own back slings or carrying cases, making it even easier to transport.
Some people dislike the idea of using a crash pad because they feel it detracts from the simplicity of bouldering. The idea, they argue, is to be alone with the rocks, in nature. For this reason, boulderers don't use the complex harnesses or ropes, much less cams or hooks that lead climbers or topropers use. The idea is to go out alone, with just a chalkbag and your climbing shoes.
But safety should not come second, even when bouldering. Because of the possibility of a fall, climbers should have a second person waiting below. And because boulders are often located on rough or rocky ground, a crash pad to cushion the fall may be of tremendous use.
But having a crash pad isn't just about safety. It also influences performance. When climbing, you want to focus on the climb itself, not on whether or not you'll end up hurting yourself if you fall. With that extra protection there in case you do take a dive, you are free to take that extra step and try that risky hold that you might otherwise think twice about. Naturally, when you're clinging to the underside of a boulder by the tips of your sweaty fingers, and your toes are trembling on the flaky edge that is keeping you up, second thoughts are the last thing you need.
Finally, crash pads can be good fun. Once you've finished a hard day of climbing and your feet are aching and your muscles are sore, the last thing you want is to hike all the way back to your car for a place to sit. The thick cushions of a crash pad are the perfect sofa to kick back in and rest your tired legs. Think of it as a portable recliner. It's the perfect blend of safety and comfort for the avid boulderer.
