UKC

In reply to UKC Gear:

Jenn,

Have you fallen on the BIT yet does the extenson do much? Would it be better to compare this matt with a new drop zone rather than your old used one?

In reply to Flatlander:

Oddly enough, last night I discovered Southern Sandstone bouldering (it’s actually not that bad!) and as I didn’t fancy the traditional descent path gained by doing a boulder hop, I decided instead to downclimb a warm up problem. I left my Bit bouldering mat at the base of the descent beforehand in case I got it wrong and I did end up having to jump on it a few times.

My conclusion is that the Bit doesn’t absorb anywhere near as much shock as the Highball, but saying that it is a lot better than nothing! From what I gather it isn’t designed to be a primary mat, rather its uses extend to ‘traverse & up’ style problems where you can place the ‘beefy’ mat under the ‘up’ section and use the Bit to protect stuff nearer to the ground. I used the Bit mat mostly to pad out uneven surfaces on rocky ground as commonly encountered in the Llanberis Pass and for sit starts. Until last night, I hadn’t taken any significant falls onto it.

If I had a new BD Dropzone to hand I would have compared the Highball to it :-D

In reply to Jenn:

FWIW the Bit is also hany for constricted roof starts, where it would be difficult to fit a deeper mat between the ground and the climber.

In reply to Jenn:

Thanks Jenn, I wondered about the use of the bit, but can't help thinking for the price spent on the two wouldn't it been better to buy a larger matt? or is this also taking inconsideration the size of the boot? wonder how the DMM system holds up to snap pads?

In reply to TRNovice:

Yep - forgot about that!

In reply to TRNovice:

"handy" even :-o

In reply to Flatlander:

I think the size of our car precludes from having a bigger mat :-D

>wonder how the DMM system holds up to snap pads?

Never used one...

In reply to Flatlander:


As mentioned the Bit is really good as a subsidiary pad (somewhere to clean your feet at the start of a traverse, but then use the full pad to protect the high section), but is also much more comfy to sit on to start overhanging problems where you move outwards a long way (Klem's Arete at the Sheep Pens is a very good example). The major benefit is that it fits inside a lot of pads very easily, and you have a much greater floor coverage, without the problem of a bigger heavier pad.

In reply to TRNovice:

I liked 'hany' better :-P

In reply to UKC Gear:

i like how you mentioned the attractive colour but you didn't say what it was like to recline on :p

In reply to Jenn:

Excellent review Jenn.

Thank you.

Mick

In reply to Morgan Woods:

It's quite comfy actually!

When random people ask me what it is I feel very inclined to reply that it's a portable bed that I have to carry with me in case my narcolepsy acts up.

It was fun having it on the Tube at rush hour last night

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Glad to be of service

I really enjoyed doing it!

In reply to Jenn:

or could have been for your padded cell at home.

In reply to Morgan Woods:

Morgs, you are confusing reality and fantasy again aren't you - and I had thought that the new medication was helping!

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

seconded. Super-clear, and answered any question I could care to think of. Good stuff!

In reply to Tall Clare:

Cool - glad you liked it

I just think it's a bit sad that I can write over 2,800 words on a bouldering mat, lol!

In reply to Jenn:

I could probably only fit 500 words on one but then my writing's immense

In reply to Tall Clare:

It all comes down to font choice!

In reply to Jenn:

Enough puns - Ed.