SNEAK PEAK

Taking another step in bouldering protection, Metolius has developed a miniature handheld crashpad called the Bouldering Shield. With two handles in the back, you hold it up (which is easy at just over 3 lbs.) and angle it toward a boulderer while spotting. It’s designed to help a spotter redirect a falling climber with its larger-than-twohands surface area (36” by 23”), and it protects the spotter with two inches of foam cushioning. The Bouldering Shield can also double as a sit-start pad or gap-filler between larger pads.