Reviews You Can Rely On

Organic Simple Review

A fantastic mid-sized pad with our favorite foam composition, offered at a great price
gearlab tested logo
Organic Simple Review (The Organic Simple pad is a tried and true staple.)
The Organic Simple pad is a tried and true staple.
Credit: Buck Yedor
Price:  $189 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Organic Climbing
By Buck Yedor ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 20, 2023
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 11
  • High Falls - 30% 8.0
  • Low Falls - 30% 8.0
  • Durability - 20% 9.0
  • Packing Gear - 10% 6.0
  • Features - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Organic Simple Pad has long been one of the most popular crash pads on the market. The durable Cordura outer, paired with industry-leading foam on the inside, makes for one great pad. The stiffness of the foam cushions high falls quite well without feeling like you're landing on the ground when back-flopping off of low balls. While it doesn't have many extra bells and whistles, it still has enough carrying capacity for the average user. But for folks who like to bring the kitchen sink, you may have trouble stuffing all of your goodies into this pad. It doesn't take much use to see why we routinely give this pad an award, but see for yourself how it stacks up against the competition in our review of the best bouldering crash pads.
REASONS TO BUY
Super durable
Amazing foam
Lightweight
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Lack of features
Doesn't pack gear well
Editor's Note: We updated this review on December 19, 2023, after retesting the Simple Pad. Our updated review includes additional testing information and new recommendations for comparable pads.

Compare to Similar Products

 
organic simple
This Product
Organic Simple
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for your Buck
Top Pick Award
Best Medium-Sized Crash Pad
Top Pick Award
Best Crash Pad for Carrying Gear
  
Price $189 List$199 List$220 List$219 List
$218.95 at Backcountry
$199.95 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
78
80
75
72
65
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line The combination of high-quality construction, excellent fall protection, and low cost easily make this pad the best deal aroundThis high-quality pad is one of the best mid-sized options in the gameThis 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 squareBeing the lightest pad we reviewed, this pad is perfect to supplement your existing pad setup or if you need a lightweight pad for long approaches
Rating Categories Organic Simple Organic Full Pad Kinetik Newton 4.0 Mad Rock Mad Pad Black Diamond Circuit
High Falls (30%)
8.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Low Falls (30%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Durability (20%)
9.0
8.5
8.0
7.0
7.0
Packing Gear (10%)
6.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
Features (10%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Organic Simple Organic Full Pad Kinetik Newton 4.0 Mad Rock Mad Pad Black Diamond Circuit
Surface Size (inches) 48' x 36' 48" x 36" 48" x 36" 48' x 36' 47.2" x 35"
Thickness (inches) 4' 4" 4" 5' 3.5"
Weight (lbs) 12 lbs 12 lbs 13.6 lbs 14 lbs 8.3 lbs
Hinge/Taco Hinge Hinge Hybrid Hinge Hinge Hinge
Closing Flap No Yes Yes No No
Warranty None, but they do repairs None, but they do repairs None, but they do repairs Limited lifetime 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Since its debut, the Organic Simple Pad hasn't changed much over the years. But as they say, “Don't fix it if it ain't broke.” Organic got it right the first time with the design of this pad. Sporting four inches of high-quality foam, a premium Cordura outer shell, and a simple hybrid hinge closure, this pad does exactly what you need it to without the need for any frills. It will keep you off the ground and maintain that margin of safety for many seasons, all without breaking the bank.

Performance Comparison


organic simple - the high-quality foam used in the organic simple pad is ideal for...
The high-quality foam used in the Organic Simple pad is ideal for protecting high and low falls.
Credit: Buck Yedor

Padding Falls


A crash pad's primary function is to make falling off a boulder safer than landing on hard, unforgiving ground. That being said, not all pads are created equal. The type of foam used and the design of the pad closure system all dictate how well each pad will perform when cushioning a landing. The Simple Pad has three layers of open-cell foam and one layer of closed-cell foam and is designed with a hybrid-hinge closure system. The hybrid-hinge system includes a continuous top layer of foam that folds over on itself when the pad is closed. This continuous layer of foam prevents any dead space in the center of the landing zone, where the two sides of the pad are hinged together.


Typically speaking, the higher you are falling from, the stiffer the pad you want to be falling onto. If a pad is made of super soft foam, it might be comfortable to lay on but will result in you “bottoming out” if you take a big fall. Organic's blend of open and closed cell foam hits the sweet spot both for protecting bigger falls. Our testers never bottomed out the Simple Pad when falling from six feet or higher in any of our test falls.


While it's not uncommon for boulderers to find themselves way off the deck, our experience is that the majority of falls while bouldering aren't too far from the ground. An ultra-stiff pad might make huge falls a bit safer, but that same pad certainly won't be comfortable to land on from a lower height, especially if the fall is onto your butt or back. Organic's blend of foam perfectly treads that line: it's neither too stiff nor too soft. Our testers found that while an unexpected back flop might knock the wind out of you, the Simple Pad is generally pretty comfortable to take short falls onto.

organic simple - the hybrid hinge closure on the organic simple make it so you don't...
The hybrid hinge closure on the Organic Simple make it so you don't need to worry as much about rocky and uneven landings.
Credit: Buck Yedor

Durability


Although no bouldering pad will last you a lifetime, all but the heaviest climbers should get at least a few good seasons out of any high-quality pad. While the various outer materials different companies use are important, the most crucial component of a pad's durability is how long the inner foam will last before developing soft spots or getting so squishy you almost always bottom out. Organic has long been known in the industry for using some of the highest-quality foams available. Their pads seem to withstand fall after fall and take most people years to “blow out.


Foam durability is undoubtedly the most important thing to consider, but having a tough outer shell will only add longevity to your pad. The bottom of the Simple Pad is made from super sturdy, 1050d ballistic nylon, while the landing zone is made from 1200d recycled Cordura. This bombproof combo will keep the insides of your pad right where they belong: on the inside! The only weak spot on this pad – an issue with nearly every pad on the market – is the plastic buckles used for the chest and waist straps. Over the years, we've witnessed many of them stepped on and cracked.

organic simple - the combination of the 1050d balsitic nylon shell and the 1200d...
The combination of the 1050d balsitic nylon shell and the 1200d Cordura landing zone make for one durable pad
Credit: Buck Yedor

Packing Gear


Perhaps the biggest issue when going out for a long day in the boulders is the eternal conundrum of how to pack all of your things. Sitting on your back, where you should have your day pack full of layers, water, and snacks, lives a big ol' bulky crash pad.


Boulderers make the best of it by sandwiching as much as possible into the pads themselves. While it's not impossible to stuff a thin supplemental drag pad and a small day pack into a Simple Pad, that is really all you will manage without wearing a pack on your chest, as we often find ourselves doing with this pad.

organic simple - the organic simple is maxed out with a slider and a small day pack.
The Organic Simple is maxed out with a slider and a small day pack.
Credit: Buck Yedor

Features


The Simple Pad is, well, simple. It's a barebones setup offered at one of the best price points on the market. While it's missing some of the bells and whistles included in some of the more premium pads, you probably won't miss or need those things unless you spend a ton of time hiking with your pads.


You can secure the Simple Pad closed with four metal buckles, with a carry system comprised of adjustable shoulder straps and a two-inch waist belt. Despite its lack of padding, the waist belt is much more comfortable than you might imagine, especially given how awkward of a load pads can be.

organic simple - the organic simple pad has four metal buckles to secure it closed.
The Organic Simple Pad has four metal buckles to secure it closed.
Credit: Buck Yedor

Should You Buy the Organic Simple Pad?


The Organic Simple Pad is an exceptional value. It has the lowest price point of any of the pads in our review. Although it doesn't have many extra features, it is incredibly durable and excels at fall protection. Those last two points are really all most people need to consider when buying a new pad. The Simple Pad is an affordable, no-frills option that will more than meet the needs of most climbers.

What Other Crash Pads Should You Consider?


While the Organic Simple Pad is no doubt a high-quality piece of gear, it might not be right for everyone. If you like to bring a lot of stuff out to the boulders, consider the Organic Full or the Kinetik Newton 4.0. If you're in the market for a larger pad, the Metolius Magnum provides the largest landing zone of any of the pads in our review.

Buck Yedor