No one likes taking those nasty falls.
With the Metolius Shortstop crash pad, you don’t have to. This small crash pad takes the zing out of your falls and serves as a great addition to any climbing kit.
In this guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know about this pad so that you can make the most informed buying decision.
Already the owner of several crash pads? Don’t worry! This guide offers something for you, as well!
Weight
How heavy is the Shortstop crash pad?
At only five pounds, this pad offers a comfortable climbing experience. I know how tasking it can be to lug your gear to the crag. More often the not, it’s the worst part of your climbing session.
That’s why the Shortstop crash pad will blow you away with its lightweight comfort. Simply put, this pad won’t weight you down. What’s more, its lightweight makes it easy to carry—even when you’re bringing other crash pads to the party.
Size
At 36” x 23” (or 92cm x 58cm), the Shortstop provides climbers with the perfect fill-in-the-gap pad. Unlike other standard or full size pads, the Shortstop works in addition to other pads to help cover empty spots and break your fall.
Many climbers love that the Shortstop fits easily into their larger pads. This means that you don’t have to worry about carrying it. Simply strap it together with or place it inside an existing pad and go about your business.
Simply put, the Shortstop is big enough to keep you covered but small enough to carry without any type of trouble.
Now, that’s my type of pad.
Thickness
The Shortstop consists of ¾ inches’ (or 2cm) worth of closed cell foam.
I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right.
That sure doesn’t sound like a lot.
Still, a quick glance at customer reviews proves that consumers don’t mind the pad’s lack of extra thickness. In fact, many prefer it.
Why?
At ¾ inches, the Shortstop is thick enough to take the bite out of most falls, yet small enough to slide right inside a larger pad. This positions it as one of the most convenient pads on the market.
Many climbers use the Shortstop to provide a little extra protection over their existing pads. This makes it a great pad for beginner climbers who are just learning the sport and are more prone to falls.
Affordability
With its lightweight, compact size, and below-average thickness, the Shortstop is available for less than what you may spend on larger or thicker pads.
How much cheaper?
You may be surprised.
Unlike larger pads that can run you well over $100, the Shortstop is available online for less than half of that. This makes it one of the most affordable pads on the market.
Pros and Cons
The Shortstop rules when it comes to an affordable, lightweight crash pad. Still, it may not be the best choice for most buyers.
Knowing this, let’s take a look at a more detailed list of pros and cons to make your buying decision easier.
Pros:
As discussed, the Shortstop dominates the competition with the following pros:
- Compact—With its small size, the Shortstop enables you to fill in your pad gaps and have an enjoyable trip to and from your climbing destination.
- Cheap—The Shortstop is one of the most affordable crash pads on the market. This means that you can buy multiple pads (for the price of one standard pad) and provide yourself with maximum safety in case of a fall.
- Brand—Experienced climbers trust Metolius. This means that you can, too. With a strong reputation to back it up, the Shortstop is sure to be a pad you’ll love for years to come.
Cons:
Unfortunately, the Shortstop falls short of perfection. Let’s look at a few of the ways it misses the mark:
- Thickness—Depending on your fall, the Shortstop’s ¾” thickness may not do you any favors. While the pad will certainly soften your fall, there’s no guarantee you won’t feel a bad fall in the morning.
- Appearance—A glance at customer reviews makes one thing clear: the Shortstop isn’t a looker. In fact, the pad doesn’t feel that great, either. Many customers express displeasure with the pad’s simple design and stiff texture.
Should I Go for a More Expensive Option?
You might have taken one look at the Shortstop’s price and wondered if the pad were really worth your investment.
After all, could a pad so cheap truly give you good results? What’s the trade-off?
To these questions, I would say this: the Shortstop pad is not a full-size pad and shouldn’t be treated like one.
If you are looking to buy your first pad and don’t yet own a standard-size pad, make sure to buy one first. In fact, buy a couple. Keep in mind that the goal of the Shortstop is to provide you with extra protection. Remember to use the pad as directed to ensure your safety and achieve optimal results.
Should I Buy the Shortstop Pad?
With all this in mind, is the Shortstop pad worth your hard-earned money?
Simply put, yes.
The Shortstop covers all your gaps to give you the extra protection you deserve. Additionally, it serves as great additional padding on top of your existing pads.
This alone makes it worthy of an investment. But the reasons to love this item from Metolius go far deeper than that.
For starters, the Shortstop allows you to gain the extra protection you need—without bearing you down with added weight. Light and compact, it represents the ultimate in small-size padding.
According to Metolius, the Shortstop offers the best quality when used for bouldering. In other words, the pad is a must-have for boulderers who are looking for a little extra fluff to cover their falls.
So don’t wait! With the Shortstop to give you that additional protection you’ve been looking for, there’s no reason not to make your next climbing trip today!
