A Flash From The Past – Gear Review

Whenever I started looking for a partner, I always knew I wanted somebody who would be there for me. Somebody who would be ready to lend a helping hand when things went south. Somebody who would catch me when I fall.

Somebody who’s fine with me absolutely plowing into them at the crag.

When I found my first crash pad I knew it would meet all these criteria and more.

The Flashed Shogun Crashpad can admittedly be a bit hard to find these days, as it has been replaced by later versions, but It is definitely my favorite crash pad ever

Some of my favorite things about it?

It’s actually comfy. Every single other crash pad I’ve ever worn on my back absolutely destroys my shoulders and ruins an otherwise pleasurable hike to the climbing site. This pad has big beefy straps, and a waist clip for maximum weight distribution. When you start throwing in things like a climbing rope, clips, as many LӒRABARS as possible, that thing can get heavy. 

Side note, one time in Yosemite I saw a climber wearing a crash pad with a box of cereal sticking out the top. As he walked barefoot through camp 4 he reached over his shoulder and went elbow deep to get some of that cinnamon toast crunch goodness into his calloused climber hands. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a climber.

For a little wimpy boulderer like me, with my janky ankles and even jankier confidence, it helps to have a behemoth of a pad to boost my confidence when a bit higher up. And for me, it’s the perfect spot to curl up. Throw it into your tent at night to get off the cold ground, or prop it up by a crackling fire on a rock. The worst part of its size? Get used to ducking beneath branches, trees, etc. while you hike with this thing on your back.

Anyways, here are the stats!

Thanks for reading. Anybody out there mastered their camping sleeping arrangement? I love camping tips!