REASONS TO BUY
Great foam
Large surface area
Lots of grab loops
REASONS TO AVOID
No sternum strap
Outdated hinge closure
Black Diamond Mondo Pad Review
An excellent large pad with a big price tag
Credit: Black Diamond
RELATED: Best Bouldering Crash Pad of 2023
Our Verdict
The Black Diamond Mondo is just that, a huge crash pad. We liked it so much we sometimes wondered why smaller crash pads even exist. The updates on the new Mondo made a classic pad even better; there were only a few setbacks we wished they had changed. The padding is much firmer than the old version, leading to a more stable landing when falling from height. The square corners allow for no gaps when placed next to other pads. The updated corners are a welcome change when setting up a large landing area on tall, modern boulder problems. The four drag handles at the corners as well as the two shoulder straps work well for sliding the pad along the ground. The Mondo is notably more expensive than other big crash pads in our test, though. We also found the large size of the Mondo annoying to carry when climbing smaller problems. Overall, the Mondo was one of our favorite pads in our test, but its high price tag may make some think twice when compared to other models.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Black Diamond Mondo Pad | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $429.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $400 List $399.95 at REI | $299 List | $269 List | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Great foam, large surface area, lots of grab loops | Huge surface area, narrow carrying profile, excellent features | Straps to attach a second pad, plush suspension, sturdy foam for high falls | Versatility, soft, great for uneven surfaces, carries a ton of gear | Least expensive, compact (small but burly), thick and stiff foam (also a dislike) |
| Cons | No sternum strap, outdated hinge closure | Can't pack as much as a taco-style pad | Foam is hard for low falls, stiff for uneven landings | Not ideal for long, high falls, heavy | Thick, stiff square cut foam, hard to pack, hinged |
| Bottom Line | An excellent large pad with a big price tag | This tester favorite provides loads of coverage without being a pain to hike with | A great crash pad distinguished by its innovative strap system for carrying a second pad and many other features that other pads lack | A unique pad with plush foam and plenty of space for packing gear | Excellent value pad with thick foam and no frills |
| Rating Categories | Black Diamond Mondo... | Metolius Magnum | Mad Rock Duo | Mad Rock R3 | Mad Rock Mad Pad |
| High Falls (30%) | |||||
| Low Falls (30%) | |||||
| Durability (20%) | |||||
| Packing Gear (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Black Diamond Mondo... | Metolius Magnum | Mad Rock Duo | Mad Rock R3 | Mad Rock Mad Pad |
| Surface Size (inches) | 65" x 44" | 70" x 47" | 56" x 42" | 55" x 35" | 48" x 36" |
| Thickness (inches) | 5" | 4" | 5" | 4" | 5" |
| Weight (lbs) | 22 lbs | 18.7 lbs | 17 lbs | 18 lbs | 10 lbs |
| Hinge/Taco | Hinge | Hinge | Hinge | Hinge(s)/Baffles | Hinge |
| Closing Flap | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | Lifetime limited | 1 Year |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Testing the Black Diamond Mondo, Drop Zone, and Organic Simple on a technical V9 in South Lake Tahoe.
Credit: Henry Feder
Padding Falls
Falling while bouldering is guaranteed, and having the Black Diamond Mondo beneath you will put your mind at ease. The massive surface area and 5" of foam is perfect for those times when the crux is high and you want to focus on the climbing and not your landing. The updated Mondo's foam feels much firmer than the previous iteration. We suspect this is due to an increase in closed cell foam on the top layer. This firmer landing removes that soft sinking feeling when taking big falls, which could result in a tweaked ankle. Another update for the Mondo is the square corners. The new square corners remove dead spots in landings zones where there would be no padding with a round corner. If you are looking for a crash pad to pad big falls from big boulders, then the Mondo is an excellent option.
The Mondo uses a top layer of closed cell foam (black) and open cell foam (white) for the bottom.
Credit: Henry Feder
Durability
The Mondo is built with durability in mind. The fabric used is durable 1000D nylon on all of the sides. All of the buckles are made of metal except for the large 2" waist belt buckle. New for the 2019 Mondo is a rubberized back panel, non-existant on previous versions of this pad. This new material is designed to aid in preventing the pad from sliding on angled landings. We also found the new material to be durable against sharp rocks.
The Mondo has a grippy rubberized surface that helps keep it in position on angled landings.
Credit: Henry Feder
Packing Gear
The Mondo does not have any added features to assist in packing gear. That being said, due to the Mondo's large size a day pack can easily fit inside the pad when folded. Many of our testers feel that the one pad and one pack set up is the perfect way to go for a day of bouldering by yourself or while joining a group.
The Mondo's backpack suspension system is very bare-bones. The padding on the shoulder straps is thin yet comfortable as long as you are wearing a shirt. The waistbelt is just 2" webbing, but it did take some of the weight off our shoulders. We wish there were a sternum strap, especially with such a large pad, but it isn't a deal-breaker.
The Mondo has no handle when folded on the hinge side.
Credit: Henry Feder
Features
The BD Mondo is designed with elegant simplicity. There are four handles at the corners for shifting or dragging the pad. Testers found these handles useful when setting up a landing of moving between problems on the same boulder. The Mondo also features two shoulder straps that double as drag loops. We used the shoulder straps to drag the pad along the ground to make sure the climber was centered over the pad.
Our testers felt comfortable climbing high above the Mondo.
Credit: Henry Feder
There are a few features we feel that the Mondo is lacking. One of the first features our testers all searched for and didn't find was a handle to lift the pad by when it was folded. This feature is on most of the other pads in our test. While the Mondo does have two large shoulder straps that accomplish the same task of moving the pad short distances, a small handle would have been nice.
Value
The Mondo is one of the most expensive pads in our test bunch. The Mondo's updated features, as well as the superior feeling foam, make the increased cost justifiable for those seeking an oversized pad for big problems.
Climbers at the quality boulder in South Lake Tahoe boulder above the BD Mondo, Drop Zone and Organic Simple crash pad.
Credit: Henry Feder
Conclusion
For climbers seeking a massive pad that will allow you to stay composed high off the deck, the Black Diamond Mondo Pad may be right for you. With its large surface area, firm 5" foam, and updated features, it's a great pad for all-around use. If you don't mind the 20-pound weight or the sizeable price tag, that is.
—
Henry Feder
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