Looking for your first bouldering mat or need another one, but don’t know what’s good or not? I’m going to do my best to give you some good options and where to get them for decent prices. One thing to know is that mats aren’t cheap. I’ll do my best to find some at all sorts of price ranges, but you’ll be spending at least £150 unless you can get a discount (which I’ll try to find).
I have used quite a few different mats since I started climbing. I have a few things to look out for when shopping for your crash mat. Anyway, let’s get into why you are here and list some of the best mats on the market.
Grivel Trend Crash Pad
RRP: £190
Anyway, this is a great mat. One feature I love. Not only does it unfold into quite a large square pad. It also folds out lengthways just by moving the zip around. This is especially handy when doing a traverse.
However, having a zip and not being connected, there is a slight gap in the middle. It isn’t too bad, but just be wary as when you stand on it the mat folds a bit. I feel this could be something that may break where other mats that are connected feel a little more secure over time.
Product Specifications
- This crash pad can be zipped together side by side (120x110x10cm) or lengthwise (230x60x10cm)
- Weight: 4,9 kg (172,8 oz)
Psychi OG TriFold Bouldering Mat
RRP: £169.99
This is a really solid mat. Being Tri-fold, it covers a huge area. It feels as though you are in a gym. This is a big help as it means that you can feel confident sending that move as you know the mat will be there and you’ll land on it.
The downside of having a tri-fold is it’s a lot to carry. Remember, you will have a bag with gear as well. Getting this mat to the crag may be a real challenge if you have a long approach. It would be handy to go with someone who can carry the gear.
Product Specifications
- Velcro straps allow you to connect two Psychi pads together to give you a wider surface area of protection.
- Measures 180cm x 110cm x 12.5cm unfolded.
- Measures 60cm x 110cm x 37.5cm folded.
- The tri-fold bouldering mat weighs 6 kilograms.
Black Diamond Circuit Crash Pad
RRP: £160
This is a good crash mat. It is also a bit cheaper than others. I often see it on sale too, and you can get it for a lot cheaper than the RRP. It is a good mat like anything. It is there to protect you and it’s a lot better than not having anything. However, this mat is a fair bit smaller than others. Most people (including me) would recommend having a few mats when you climb to cover a better surface area.
Having a small mat really will make it hard to feel confident as you may not be covered for the whole climb. That is why I think there are better options if you can save a bit more money. However, if you are looking for a second mat, this being smaller makes it easier to carry. Along with a larger mat, or even if you climb with someone a little smaller this will be easier for them to carry.
Product Specifications
- Easy hook metal buckles with 3 strap closure system
- Hinge style fold for easy transport – making this a compact pad
- Square corners for better coverage when paired with other pads
- Folded Dimensions
- Height: 89cm, Width: 20cm, Length: 60cm
- Open Dimensions:
- Height: 89cm, Width: 10cm, Length: 120cm
- Weight: 3.775 kg (8 lbs 5 oz)
Metolius Session 2 Crash Pad
RRP: £200
This is another mat on the smaller side like the black diamond. This mat has a really good connection so that you won’t fall through the middle as easily. The downside is the size, I think it’s a bit expensive compared to a lot of the others on the market. Along with that, it has a cloth square in the middle of the mat designed for cleaning off your shoes before you climb. I like this feature.
If you have climbed outdoors before, you’ll know that the soles of your shoes can get dirty or damp quite quickly. Having this on the mat so you can wipe your feet helps. Having damp dirt or anything on your shoes can mess up your grip. Having a bad grip on your feet is not a good thing. You can wipe it on your clothes or bring a cloth. I just think it’s a nice simple feature to have added.
Product Specifications
- Carpeted logo keeps shoes clean
- Angled hinge design eliminates gutter
- Custom molded carry handle
- Open size: 36″x 48″x 4″ (91.4 cm x 121.9 cm x 10.2 cm)
- Folded size: 36″x 26″x 8″ (91.4 cm x 66 cm x 20.3 cm)
- Weight: 9 lbs. (4 kg)
- Aluminum buckles – guaranteed for life!
Moon Warrior Crash Pad
RRP: £250
Made from high-quality materials, the Moon Warrior Crash Pad is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of outdoor climbing. It features a thick layer of foam padding that absorbs the impact of falls, reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, the crash pad is large enough to accommodate climbers of all sizes, making it a versatile and practical option for both beginners and experienced climbers alike.
The pad also comes with a pad to wipe dirt off your shoes. Which I have found to be the one thing a company can add to make their pad better. This is also a huge selling point for me especially as your shoes get muddy a lot outdoors and I usually have to wipe on my jumper.
Product Specifications
- Size: 130 x 100 x 12 cm or 51 x 40 x 4.7 inches.
- Approx weight: 6kg or 12 lbs.
- Features padded rucksack shoulder straps.
Conclusion
To conclude, mats are expensive, but essential for extra safety when bouldering outdoors. The mat you choose doesn’t overly matter, just get a good size one that you like. I guarantee you’ll end up with multiple different ones anyway as one is never enough.
