Petzl crashes into the bouldering category with the Alto, a pad that combines proven materials with a novel — maybe ingenious — design.
When Petzl released the Alto crash pad in 2014, the core boulderers in my circle met it with disdain, calling it the “prima donna” of crash pads. The brand wasn’t active in bouldering, and it stood out with its unorthodox zipped closure system.
In short: Despite Petzl’s unproven reputation in the bouldering category, the brand’s climbing-specific resources and fresh approach give rise to a crash pad that offers both reliable performance and innovative creature comforts. Of course, this combo comes with a steeper price and a couple of key maintenance considerations.
But after 4 months of testing, the Petzl Alto crash pad earned acceptance by my crusty bouldering group. From granite alpine boulders in Colorado to the desert crimp ladders at Hueco Tanks, the Alto crash pad now holds a trusted position in my tribe’s pad collection.
Petzl Alto Crash Pad Review
Bouldering pads are all about the foam, and Petzl chose wisely. Its combination of a 3-inch layer of open-cell PE and a one-inch dual-density layer of closed-cell PE differs from all my other pads in my extensive collection. Those pads use a sandwich, placing closed-cell foam on both sides of an open-cell foam center.
In the Alto, however, all the foam is continuous, so there are no breaks or hinges.
Petzl claims that its combination of foam proved the most effective in laboratory tests, and keeping the dual-density closed-cell layer on the outside of the fold enhances longevity.
The outer materials felt extremely stout during unboxing. The waterproof Cordura ballistic nylon covering screamed rugged, as did the large #10 YKK zipper for the flap closure. A 1.75-inch-wide webbing acted as a shoulder strap for the unfolded pad, and it also functioned to form a couch out of the Alto.
Petzl Alto Crash Pad
- Weight: 12 lbs. 10 oz.
- Dimensions: 46″ x 39.4″ x 3.9″ (open)/25.6″ x 39.4″ x 9.8″ (closed)
- Price: $300
Impressive Carry
Falling on the Petzl Alto
Other Petzl Alto Features
![Petzl crash pad as couch Petzl crash pad as couch](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/01/IMG_1231-3.jpg)
Concerns
Conclusions
![Bouldering in Crested Butte, CO Bouldering in Crested Butte, CO](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.gearjunkie.com/uploads/2022/01/IMG_1245-3.jpg)