So close to awesome...

By LocoDuck Ranked #244 - Climbing Ropes and Bouldering Pads June 12, 2009

I should start by saying I really wanted to like this pad. It is huge when laid out below a problem, but folds up into a pretty impressively small package for getting to the boulders. Having the one buckle closure can be seen as a plus or minus depending. It is quick, but if you are in the habit of stuffing shoes and other items in your pad when you move from one boulder to the next, stuff tends to fall out. And yes there is a pocket in the top flap, but it quickly gets annoying if you pack up and move more than a couple times in a session.

And then we get to the not so good part of this thing. If you read the description on the Metolius site http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/colossus.html you'll see the bottom of this thing is made of 420D ripstop. While this might be a good material for making light packs and ditty bags, my first day out on the Colossus I had multiple rips already showing up. If you dig bouldering (and why spend $200+ if you don't?) you will destroy this thing. The day they make it out of Ballistic nylon, like there older design (eg. Behemoth) this thing will get 5 outa 5. I sure hope Metolious listens to some of the reviews coming out about this pad, because with a simple materials change they would have a pretty sweet pad here, otherwise it is simply not worth it (unless you use it inside??).

With all that said, Backcountry has been awesome, and helped me out huge getting a replacement for this thing. I can't thank the guys at BC.com enough for getting me fixed up with another pad (different brand). You guys rock.

View Details: Metolius Colossus Crash Pad

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes