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Black Diamond Drop Zone Crash Pad
  • Black Diamond Drop Zone Crash Pad
  • Black Diamond Drop Zone Crash Pad
  • Black Diamond Drop Zone Crash Pad

Drop Zone

Rating

My vote: None ( 4 avg )

Description

Our redesigned, do-it-all Drop Zone now has improved buckles for durability and ease of use, a new suspension system for better transport, redesigned square corners for better coverage when paired with other pads, and updated graphics, while maintaining its premium foam layup.

The perfect daily driver for the dedicated boulderer, the redesigned Drop Zone now features more durable, easier to use buckles on its quick-closure elastic mesh flap which also stores your shoes, chalk, and other essentials. A new suspension system for better transport, redesigned square corners for better coverage when paired with other pads, and updated graphics, while maintaining its premium foam layup.

  • Closed-cell PE foam layup on top High-compression PU foam on bottom
  • Taco-style fold for a continuous landing surface
  • Improved buckles on quick-closure elastic mesh flap, which stores gear inside the pad
  • Updated suspension for better transport with shoulder straps, waistbelt and two side grab handles
  • PU-coated 1000d Nylon on top, sides and bottom for abrasion and water resistance

Retail price

US$ 299.95
Weight (lbs / kg)

Weight (lbs / kg)

In pounds and kilograms, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

9.50 lbs / 4.75 kg
Fold Type Taco
Number of Foam Layers three
Foam Layout closed-cell PE foam layup on top, high-compression PU foam on bottom
Fabric ­Bottom: PU-coated 600d ripstop polyester on bottom and up the sides
Features Waist Belt
Side Handle(s)
Backpack Carry
Dimensions (ft / m)

Dimensions (ft / m)

In feet and inches / meters and centimeters, the length, width, and height of the bouldering pad, as stated by the manufacturer/brand

3.41 ft x 4.00 ft x 3.50 in
1.04 m x 1.22 m x 9.00 cm
AVG RATING
3.679998
( 3.7 avg )
Rating
3
( 3 avg )

Fold or Flop

Pros
Protect bad falls on "edged" rocks
small pocket in fold flap very useful
Lightweight first pad
Cons
Taco fold doesn't compress well
slip of top foam creates bump
handles are not very useful for carry
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

This pad is a great pad if you are tyring to buy a second, or third pad.

The biggest problem with this pad is the folding method, but it also works as its greatest strength.

This pad is a great pad if you are tyring to buy a second, or third pad.

The biggest problem with this pad is the folding method, but it also works as its greatest strength.

The problem with the folding is that you cant easily fold the foam to create an easily carried backpack. The foam doesnt ease up too much after a lot of use and the top layer just slides and creates a very unappealing bump. 

But while this is annoying, the advantage of not having a split in the pad is that if there is a large boulder that sticks up out of the ground with a sharp edge to it, this pad can sit on top and well protect from sliding through the seam and hitting the rock. More often than not the folding pad that you toss upside down ontop of those rocks has that small spot in the middle that you can just slip and hit. This is great for protecting those hard to protect fall spots.

With that being said, if youre trying to buy one starting pad, get one that folds much easier than this, BD IMPACT/MONDO is a great option.

Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

The mighty pad

Pros
Taco style means better protection and no weak spots in foam
Good amount of room to store gear
Quality foam
Good coverage area
Cons
Taco style means it isn't the easiest to fold up
Can be a bit awkward to carry
Can be weird to set up if it's been stored folded for long periods of time
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

I bought one of these pads used to supplement my Metolious Magnum. These two pads combined make for a wonderful solo setup. The BD Drop Zone offers great coverage area, and is good for protecting against rocks and stumps in landing zones. The foam is quality and it is comfortable to land on.

The taco style and strap system allows for plenty of gear storage.

If you're looking for a starter pad or a supplemental pad, this is a great option.

Rating
3
( 3 avg )

Hard-shell taco design

Pros
Light and durable design
Good for stuffing gear into
Cons
Closure system is finicky and buckles/hooks are poorly designed.
Overpriced
Foam too thin
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

I've had this pad for a few years now, and I think I can give it a good review now. 

I bought this pad for too much - a little over $200 - because I like most of BD's products and I thought this would be the same. The first few times out I liked it a lot. The low weight and packability made the approaches easy. I quickly began to dislike the pad, though. The hooks on the straps are poorly designed as they are hard to adjust and hard to hook/unhook. The stretchy flap that secures the pad is a bit too tight, and the shoulder straps are thin and become uncomfortable during long approaches. I began to notice that while setting up/packing up, I was always the last one struggling with my pad which is a bit annoying. 

Now for my main gripe. The foam is some of the worst I've used. Even moderate falls on uneven ground bottom the pad right out, and it provides no protection from pointy rocks. For anything except lowballs with flat landings, I would not recommend this pad. 

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 4.8/5

From hiking around, finding new zones far off the beaten track at Castle Rock CA to covering sharp wild landings along the Sonoma Coast and in rugged Mendocino County this pad has done it and will do it all. Perfect for solo bouldering excursions or for use as a vital part of any landing zone pad assortment. The solid foam taco design, storage flap for securing a load, along with the center handle for lifting a heavy load all combine to make the Drop Zone one of our favorite go anywhere, do-it-all pads. For a much thicker and much less expensive alternative, check out the 5" thick foam and basic hinged-style of one of our Best Award winning pads, the popular Mad Rock Mad Pad.

Climbing Gear Reviews UK Performance 4/5 Quality 5/5 Value For Money 5/5

The Drop Zone is almost the perfect bouldering pad. It is well designed, has a high quality outer and gives good coverage on the ground. It is a perfect pad to go to if you are just going to buy one and will fit in the boot of most medium sized hatchbacks (although not my 1 series which may as well have only 2 seats)! The only thing that lets it down is the foam which I feel is a little too soft if you are hitting it from any great distance.

All the Features of the Mondo, Drop Zone & Impact Bouldering Pads