Gear Review - Edelrid Crux Crashpad

This crashpad gives a whole new meaning to the saying "Go big or go home."  The Edelrid Crux crashpad is one of the largest crashpads on the market, there is no excuse with this pad underneath you.  I think it might actually be the largest.  Bigger than the Metolius Magnum, the Black Diamond Mondo, the Revolution 12-G...the list goes on and on.  It is only 4 inches thick, but at 85 inches in length and 47 inches in width this pad will cover any boulder problem by itself!  I took it up to Mount Evans Area A with my buddy Mike and we climbed a bunch of boulder problems from traverses to highballs.  This is the only pad I have ever used where I barely had to move it once we threw it down under a boulder problem.  Keep reading to check out the pros and cons of this monstrous pad.

The construction is pretty good and carrying the pad is pretty comfortable for the size.  The weight of this pad helps with that because it weighs very little for the size of the pad (go ahead and compare them).  The shoulder straps are padded, the waist belt is large and has a beefy buckle and the closure system for the pad is pretty intuitive.  Overall this pad has all the features that benefit any bouldering pad.  I do like the zipper closure for the bottom because I am always afraid of having gear slide out while hiking the trail or jumping around in a talus field.  The carpet in the middle of the pad puts the icing on the cake for sure.

Specs and Features:

• 85.7L x 47W x 4H inches
• 18.5 lbs.
• Padded shoulder straps with waist belt
• Daisy chain on each shoulder strap
• Edelrid E in the center of the pad is carpet
• Beefy buckles at every attachment
• 3 pull handles
• Zipper closure for bottom when pad folds up

The only drawback, so far, that I have experienced with this pad is a small puncture I got on the bottom of the pad.  I believe this is from one of the many sharp talus rocks that this pad was laid on for the day at Mount Evans, but it raises the question of long term durability.  Maybe the 18.5 lbs. of weight was accomplished by skimping on more durable nylon?  I don't know, but I do know that this pad seems to have a similar nylon construction to the Black Diamond Drop Zone and most Organic pads.  It might be the actual size and the small shift of the nylon outer wrap during falls that made it more susceptible to tearing.  I will update on this when I have a better idea.  At the end of the day though I would still recommend this crashpad to others.

Final Say:

You want a mattress under you while bouldering, but you don't want to carry it?  Get the Edelrid Crux crashpad.  'Nuff said.