REASONS TO BUY
Extremely durable
Bar tacked (reinforced stress points)
Large landing zone
Thick padding
REASONS TO AVOID
High price
Low hanging (bottoms out)
No flaps
Misty Mountain Magnum Pad Review
Misty Mountain Magnum Pad
Credit: MistyMountain.com
Our Verdict
Since my first trip to Hueco Tanks I have gone through many pads. But my Misty Mountain Magnum Pad is one the best I have ever owned. It has survived over three years of ritual abuse with nothing more than a few blemishes. I would recommend this bouldering pad to all boulderers based on its not too big but not too small size, thick padding, solid reinforced shoulder straps, and highly durable and long-lasting construction.
I recommend this pad to anyone who doesnt mind spending just a little more for time-tested durability. The only competitor in a taco design is the Voodoo-Highball-5000, which comes with a better and more cozy top surface but is also more expensive. If you don't mind the hybrid hinge design, we would go with the Organic Big Pad, which has longer lasting foam and is a little less expensive. If you are really on a budget, it's hard to beat the Mad Rock Triple Mad Pad for the money.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
The durability of this pad is unsurpassed. I have loaded this up again and again and the suspension system has never shown even the slightest sign of wear. If you are someone who fills their pad with a big bag full of shoes, brushes, water, a buffet, etc, take close notice of the burly design of this pads shoulder straps. Look at the burly bar tacks and stitching and it is clear why this thing just won't break on us. I am very hard on pads. I may not be a V15 boulderer but I am a V15 faller.
Dislikes
Where the shoulder straps are attached is too high. This makes the pad ride too low, causing it to bottom out on steep, uneven descents (this could be very dangerous). The upside is this gives the pad a low profile when bushwhacking. But if the straps were a couple inches higher you would have the best of both worlds. Also, the old version of this pad came with auto upholstery, which was awesome. The new version no longer does, unfortunately. That cozy top surface was a big reason we liked the old design so much.
The taco design makes it ideal for uneven terrain (see photo above). I boulder a lot at coastal areas with uneven landings. I never worry about a little rock sneaking into a hinge at the middle as I do with some pads.
Best Application
This is a versatile pad. Because it carries so much, you never wonder how to get a full days worth of food or water in it. I can take this pad out for a day of scouting at a new area and know that any highball or lowball problem will be safe. It can take on a steep trail or even a mega campfire party scene and come back in one piece.
Value
This is one of the more expensive big pads but it is also one of the most durable. So long term value is solid. This pad is was bred for real world bouldering scenarios, rocky landings, going solo and mega highballs. I would recommend this pad to any real life boulderer who is willing to pay a little more in order to get a lot more.
Other Versions
The Misty Mountain Highlander is the smaller (3' x 4') version of this pad.
—
Chris Summit
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