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Mad Rock Duo Review

A great crash pad distinguished by its innovative strap system for carrying a second pad and many other features that other pads lack
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Mad Rock Duo Review (The welcome mat is a great place to clean off your shoes before climbing and saves the pad from dirt.)
The welcome mat is a great place to clean off your shoes before climbing and saves the pad from dirt.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Price:  $269 List
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Manufacturer:   Mad Rock
By Steven Tata and Henry Feder  ⋅  Dec 20, 2023
82
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 11
  • High Falls - 30% 9.0
  • Low Falls - 30% 6.5
  • Durability - 20% 8.0
  • Packing Gear - 10% 9.0
  • Features - 10% 10.0

Our Verdict

With thick foam and excellent functionality, the Mad Rock Duo became a surprise favorite among our testers, ultimately earning our top award for overall performance. For climbers who want to carry multiple crash pads at once, it is a uniquely designed pad with a strap system to make this task relatively comfortable. A large pouch and two straps on the back of the pad accommodate the addition of a second pad. Its stiff foam was great for high falls and a large footprint makes it a good pad on its own. The Duo has many features, including a water bottle pouch, integrated doormat, and straps that convert the pad into a couch. It shined while padding even landings, and we couldn't get it to bottom out, even in long falls. If you want to learn more about how this top-notch pad rose to the top of the pile, check out our review of the best bouldering crash pads.
REASONS TO BUY
Straps to attach a second pad
Plush suspension
Sturdy foam for high falls
REASONS TO AVOID
Foam is hard for low falls
Stiff for uneven landings
Editors' Note: We updated this review on May 13, 2023, to elevate this pad's award winning status, and to include additional purchasing advice.

Compare to Similar Products

 
mad rock duo
This Product
Mad Rock Duo
Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $269 List$199 List$189 List$220 List$219 List
$218.95 at Backcountry
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A unique strap system, useful features, and thick foam make this model a fantastic all-around padThis high-quality pad is one of the best mid-sized options in the gameThe combination of high-quality construction, excellent fall protection, and low cost easily make this pad the best deal aroundThis pad has an innovative design that lets you load it up with gear but leaves something to be desired with foam densityA no-frills, medium-sized pad at a reasonable price point that comes with an additional carpet square
Rating Categories Mad Rock Duo Organic Full Pad Organic Simple Kinetik Newton 4.0 Mad Rock Mad Pad
High Falls (30%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
Low Falls (30%)
6.5
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Durability (20%)
8.0
8.5
9.0
8.0
7.0
Packing Gear (10%)
9.0
8.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
Features (10%)
10.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
Specs Mad Rock Duo Organic Full Pad Organic Simple Kinetik Newton 4.0 Mad Rock Mad Pad
Surface Size (inches) 56" x 42" 48" x 36" 48' x 36' 48" x 36" 48' x 36'
Thickness (inches) 5" 4" 4' 4" 5'
Weight (lbs) 17 lbs 12 lbs 12 lbs 13.6 lbs 14 lbs
Hinge/Taco Hinge Hinge Hinge Hybrid Hinge Hinge
Closing Flap Yes Yes No Yes No
Warranty 1 Year None, but they do repairs None, but they do repairs None, but they do repairs Limited lifetime

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


mad rock duo - putting the duo through the paces with a fall from up high.
Putting the Duo through the paces with a fall from up high.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Padding Falls


With 5" of padding, the Duo is beefy. There are three layers of foam; 3" of soft open cell foam sandwiched between two 1" layers of stiffer closed cell foam. The foam didn't soften much over time and we found it to be best suited for relatively high falls where softer pads would likely bottom out. This was comforting over landings with sharp rocks that would be felt on softer pads. For low falls, the Duo is less plush than softer pads.


There is a velcro flap on the backside of the pad that prevents the hinge from folding, which is the primary safety concern of using a hinged pad. This is not a foolproof safeguard against landing on the hinge but felt significantly better than landing on an open hinge.


Because the Duo's padding is fairly stiff it performs best on relatively flat landings. It has integrated velcro flaps on all sides, which enables it to be connected to most other Mad Rock Pads. By connecting pads you essentially create one giant crash pad with covered seams.

mad rock duo - a long velcro flap closes the hinge of the mad rock duo securely.
A long Velcro flap closes the hinge of the Mad Rock Duo securely.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Durability


Because it has such stiff foam and reinforced stitching the Duo is one of the most durable pads in our review. The foam softened up after extensive use but not to a point where it wasn't effective at cushioning hard falls. Compared to most pads in our review, Mad Rock's 5" foam layering was some of the toughest out there and it seemed like the closed cell foam layers helped to maintain stiffness.


Using the welcome mat also saves the pad from excessive wear on the top material. The strap holster on top of the pad ended up with a few holes but is still functional. This was the one component that could have been made with a stronger material.

mad rock duo - strap holsters keep the straps protected, clean, and potentially...
Strap holsters keep the straps protected, clean, and potentially extend their life and fresh looks, although the material of the keeper pocket might not last forever.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Packing Gear


The Duo's name comes from its unique strap system that enables you to easily attach a second pad. This is incredibly useful and compatible with any crash pad that fits under the straps. Two straps attached to a large pouch cinch down a second crash pad. We liked this feature a lot, especially for solo missions that would have been sketchy with only one pad. Any smaller pad will fit and we easily attached larger pads, though this made approaches noticeably more tiring. A small backpack also fits in this space if you don't have a second pad but want to carry a bag.


Because it is hinged, the Duo does not have much space for stuffing smaller items between halves of the pad, which is much easier with taco-style pads. This wasn't much of an annoyance because the back of the pad has daisy chains that are good for clipping gear such as shoes, chalk bags, and water bottles. It's also possible to fit extra items inside the pouch when a second pad is being carried.

mad rock duo - the daisy chains on the back of the duo can be used to attach a...
The daisy chains on the back of the Duo can be used to attach a second pad and can be used for clipping extra gear.
Credit: Ross Robinson

It has a thick removable hip belt, fully adjustable shoulder straps, and comfortable shoulder padding. At 17 pounds and significantly heavier with a second pad attached to it, the Duo isn't lightweight, yet we still found it to be one of the most comfortable because of its plush suspension system that evenly disperses weight between your shoulders and hips.

mad rock duo - the duo's comfortable suspension system evenly disperses the weight...
The Duo's comfortable suspension system evenly disperses the weight of two full-size pads.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Features


The Duo is one of the most highly featured crash pads that we tested. In addition to its standout suspension and pad attachment system, there are two daisy chains on the back for clipping gear. Testers liked the integrated water bottle pouch, which enables you to stay hydrated on the approach without having to take the pad off.


A built-in mat serves as a place to wipe your feet before stepping on the pad and starting up your problem. This is a nice feature that keeps the pad clean and saves you from cleaning your shoes on the pad or pants. The mat also doubles as part of the closure system when the pad is closed.

mad rock duo - the water bottle pouch makes it easy to stay hydrated without having...
The water bottle pouch makes it easy to stay hydrated without having to take the pad off.
Credit: Ross Robinson

When you're taking a break in between burns or hanging out at around the fire the Duo can double as a couch with two straps that connect opposing corners of the pad. This adds to the pad's versatility and we missed this feature on ones that lacked it.

mad rock duo - the welcome mat is a great place to clean off your shoes before...
The welcome mat is a great place to clean off your shoes before climbing and saves the pad from dirt.
Credit: Ross Robinson

There are several handles on the pad and it is very easy to move around. These include a center lift handle and two handles on opposite sides. Having plenty of handles was helpful for moving the pad when it is fully loaded with gear and a second pad strapped to the back of it.

mad rock duo - the duo makes a great couch to hang out on when you aren't bouldering.
The Duo makes a great couch to hang out on when you aren't bouldering.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

If you want to easily carry two pads then the Duo will not let you down. With abundant features and a large footprint of 56" x 42" the Duo is well suited as your only pad but its main advantage is in the strap system to accommodate a second pad. This capability makes it a great option for people who boulder alone and want to carry two pads or for those who want to maximize padding under tall problems.

mad rock duo - load lifting straps made the duo feel more like a backpack than a...
Load lifting straps made the Duo feel more like a backpack than a crash pad on approaches.
Credit: Ross Robinson

Should You Buy the Mad Rock Duo?


The Mad Rock Duo lists among the more expensive pads in our review, though far from the most expensive. This is a great value given the pad's surface area. It has more features than any other pad in this review, which seems to be factored into the pad's price since simple models are cheaper. The Duo is unparalleled when it comes to carrying multiple pads at once. Its well-padded suspension is designed for this task, making it comfortable to carry on long approaches.

mad rock duo - steven tata stepping off the duo at middle bliss near lake tahoe.
Steven Tata stepping off the Duo at Middle Bliss near Lake Tahoe.
Credit: Ross Robinson

What Other Crash Pads Should You Consider?


If you don't want to carry a second pad, then the Duo may be too heavily featured and more affordable options might be more appealing. For packing purposes, few pads can compare to the Kinetik Newton 4.0. But if you're seeking more of a budget pad that still offers near-top-notch performance, then the Organic Simple is our go-to for overall value.

Steven Tata and Henry Feder