Kinetik Newton 4.0 Review

More often than not, new pads coming to market look like carbon copies of pads from decades past. These days it seems like most companies are more interested in slapping a big logo on a piece of foam rather than focusing on innovation or improving the bouldering experience. Unlike other new pads hitting the scene, The Kinetik Newton 4.0 seeks to do more.

Performance Comparison

Padding Falls

When it comes to protecting yourself from high falls with bigger impacts, it's really important for a pad to have a certain level of stiffness. If a pad is too soft, it won't keep you from feeling the hard ground when you land. Even though the Newton 4.0 boasts four inches of foam, it was, unfortunately, a little too soft for our testers to want to rely on it for repeated big falls.

Foam that starts out on the soft side will only get softer with time, making the Newton less than ideal for protecting big consequential falls as a standalone pad. It does, however, make a great top layer in a big stack of foam. The hybrid-hinge design incorporates a continuous layer of foam to keep you from feeling the seam in the middle of the landing zone. This is a much safer design for your ankles and one that helps protect a bit better from uneven ground or rocks and roots.

While the little bit of extra give in the foam of the Newton is a detriment to high falls, it makes mid-to-low falls all that much more pleasant. Falling onto your butt or back, even from just a few feet off the ground onto an ultra-stiff pad, isn't something you want to do over and over again. The Newton's foam is just right for sit starts and steep cave problems.

Durability

Based out of Colorado, Kinetik designs its pads to meet the rigors of the high alpine bouldering Colorado is known for. Bouldering in the alpine means long approaches, inclement weather, and talus-strewn landing pads.

The Newton's outer shell is made from 1680d ballistic nylon, and the landing zone is made from 1000d nylon. These are ultra-tough materials that should easily withstand the usual abuse pads receive. Whether you're dragging this pad across granite slabs or using it to cover sharp talus, you don't need to pay too much mind to how you treat the Newton.

Packing Gear

While carrying a small day pack on your chest is fine for short approaches, it's not comfortable for putting in serious miles. The Newton handles long approaches and extra gear far better than the rest of the pads in our review. The Omni Flap closure system gives you a ton of options to expand the interior space of the closed pad, and all but ensures your gear won't fall out of the bottom or sides while walking through rough terrain.

The Newton 4.0 also has padded shoulder straps and an adjustable shoulder yoke, which lets you dial in the carry system for your specific size. The waist belt is the standard two-inch webbing used by most pad companies. However, Kinetic does sell an after-market padded waist belt for those truly looking to wander the backcountry in search of new problems.

Features

One of our favorite features about this pad is the Omni Flap closure system mentioned above. When the pad is fully open, the flap closure system can completely cover the carry system and create a flush surface. This prevents the pad from catching on rocks and roots when you need to drag it quickly to slide under a moving climber. You can also cover the carry system without covering the seam, making this pad one of the best options for draping over rocks.

The Newton 4.0 is flush with thoughtful features and high-quality materials. The metal closure buckles are ergonomic and easy to use, and the two drag handles make moving the pad short distances easy.

Should You Buy the Kinetik Newton 4.0?

If you want to log some serious miles with your pad or simply need more space for extra gear, the Kinetik Newton 4.0 is a wonderful choice. But if you require a stiff pad to keep you safe on mega-high balls, you might consider other options. Either way, this pad is well-constructed, durable, and laden with useful features. At 14 pounds, it's a little on the heavy side, but not overly so when compared to other pads with similarly sized landing zones.

What Other Bouldering Crash Pads Should You Consider?

If planning how to carry your extra gear isn't a major part of your logistical process, you might consider the Organic Simple Pad. It doesn't have many extra features, but it is highly durable and cost-effective. If you need a bigger landing zone, the Metolious Magnum is a fantastic option.