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Mad Rock Mad Pad Review

Excellent value pad with thick foam and no frills.
Best Buy Award
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Price:  $175 List | $174.95 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Least expensive, compact (small but burly), thick and stiff foam (also a dislike)
Cons:  Thick, stiff square cut foam, hard to pack, hinged
Manufacturer:   Mad Rock
By Chris Summit, Chris McNamara, & Steven Tata  ⋅  Nov 7, 2018
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70
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 10
  • High Falls - 30% 9
  • Low Falls - 30% 6
  • Durability - 20% 8
  • Packing Gear - 10% 3
  • Features - 10% 6

Our Verdict

The Mad Rock Mad Pad is one of the least expensive medium size bouldering pads we tested and has some of the thickest and stiffest foam out there. It was nearly impossible to "bottom out" on sharp rocks under the pad from any height. For its size, it is relatively light and compact. This is our Best Buy Award winner for bouldering crash pads because it is among the least expensive, most versatile, and well-featured pads available. That said, it is very stiff and low falls can be slightly jarring. If you don't do many tall problems, you might want a more forgiving pad with an angled hinge or a softer landing. Overall, the Mad Pad has the thickest piece of foam you can get for the money.


Compare to Similar Products

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This Product
Mad Rock Mad Pad
Awards Best Buy Award Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $174.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$238.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$198.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$210.00 at REI$299.95 at Amazon
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Pros Least expensive, compact (small but burly), thick and stiff foam (also a dislike)Straps to attach a second pad, plush suspension, sturdy foam for high fallsVersatility, soft but dense foam with multiple hinges conforms to uneven landing surfaces and cushions short to medium length falls very well. It also hauls a lot of gear well and has handy featuresSuper durable, amazing foam, lightweightFolds open and closed better than any other taco-style pad, innovative zip-up flap closure system securely stores gear, well made, sleek look
Cons Thick, stiff square cut foam, hard to pack, hingedFoam is hard for low falls, stiff for uneven landingsSpecialized, the soft, squishy, shredded foam and slightly lumpy "baffles" are not the best for some long, high falls - they could possibly roll an ankleLack of features, doesn't pack much gear wellDoes not pack large or bulky loads of gear well, no center lifting handle, Velcro and zipper could wear out prematurely
Bottom Line Excellent value pad with thick foam and no frills.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.The best crash pad of its size.An expensive pad given its size and thickness.
Rating Categories Mad Rock Mad Pad Mad Rock Duo Mad Rock R3 Organic Simple Petzl Alto
High Falls (30%)
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9
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6
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8
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7
Low Falls (30%)
10
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6
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6
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8
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7
Durability (20%)
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8
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8
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8
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8
Packing Gear (10%)
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Specs Mad Rock Mad Pad Mad Rock Duo Mad Rock R3 Organic Simple Petzl Alto
Surface Size (inches) 48" x 36" 56" x 42" 55" x 35" 48" x 36" 46" x 39"
Thickness (inches) 5" 5" 4" 4" 4"
Weight (lbs) 10 lbs 17 lbs 18 lbs 11 lbs 12 lbs
Hinge/Taco Hinge Hinge Hinge(s)/Baffles Hinge Taco
Closing Flap No Yes Yes No Yes
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year Lifetime limited None, but they do repairs. 3 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


Our testers felt comfortable climbing high above the Mad Pad.
Our testers felt comfortable climbing high above the Mad Pad.

Padding Falls


The Mad Pad features 5 inch-thick foam with 3 inches of soft open cell foam sandwiched between two harder 1 inch closed cell foam layers. Mad Rock's foam was very stiff and only softened up a bit through our testing. It was great for cushioning the impact of high falls but low falls didn't feel great and landing on your back or tailbone could be pretty jarring on a new pad.

Aside from its impressively thick padding, the Mad Pad's best feature for protecting falls is a full-length velcro strip that runs along the backside of its hinge. This virtually eliminates the hinge and we struggled to think of scenarios where it would fail. Although it makes the pad too rigid for extremely rocky landings we felt better about not having to worry about injuring an ankle in the pad's hinge.


With five inches of firm foam, the Mad Pad is among the stiffest pads we tested. When you put it over a sharp rock it is almost impossible to feel it whether it is a big or small fall. It will soften over time, but not much compared to other pads we tested.

Durability


The Mad Pad's 5-inch thick foam softened up a bit over time but not as much as we initially expected. Because of how hard the foam is in a new pad, this aging makes the pad more versatile under shorter falls. We found the Mad Rock foam to last longer than that of most other pads.

The Mad Pad's stiff foam and reinforced stitching make a very durable crash pad.
The Mad Pad's stiff foam and reinforced stitching make a very durable crash pad.

Packing Gear


With no closure flaps the Mad Pad is not great for carrying gear but still can accommodate the basic items that most boulderers carry. Smaller items tended to fall through the pad in our testing but we never had issues with loading shoes, chalk bags, and jackets in the Mad Pad.

The lack of closure flaps made it difficult to pack more than the essentials into the Mad Pad.
The lack of closure flaps made it difficult to pack more than the essentials into the Mad Pad.

Features


The Mad Pad was one of the simplest pads we tested and has some useful features. Our favorite is that it can be converted into a couch with two straps that connect opposing corners. This is great for hanging out around camp and between bouldering sessions.

When you aren't busy climbing the Mad Pad makes for a great couch.
When you aren't busy climbing, the Mad Pad makes for a great couch.

One of the cool features not found on many other pads is the Velcro attachments on the sides that let you link multiple Mad Rock pads (except for the R3) into one giant pad. If money is tight or you just want a more flexible pad configuration, this is a great way to go.

Best Applications


This pad is best for all-around bouldering and also makes a nice addition for climbers building a quiver of pads. If you are on a tight budget, it's hard to beat the Mad Pad's low price and proven ability to cushion hard falls. It only has an average area and is best for use with a spotter who can move it under the climber.

Climb comfortably above 5" of foam without forking over too much cash.
Climb comfortably above 5" of foam without forking over too much cash.

Value


The Mad Pad stands out because of how much foam you get for the price, and that it was one of the least expensive pads that we reviewed. With few frills and impressively durable foam, this is a great option for climbers who are looking to save money without compromising functionality. Although you won't be able to carry tons of gear in it, the Mad Pad does a good job of performing its primary function of padding falls.

Conclusion


For those on a budget, the Mad Pad provides excellent functionality. It's a great pad for a variety of users because of its medium size, thick foam, and low cost. For climbers getting their first pad, it's an affordable entry-level model, and for those supplementing a collection of pads, it will help to cover more ground under your project.


— Chris Summit, Chris McNamara, & Steven Tata