Friday, February 19, 2010

New Signature Asana Crash Pad: Phase 2-Prototypes

Here are the first images of the prototype I am testing here in Bishop, CA. Not too bad for a first go, eh?! Yesterday I took the pad on a 100 problem circuit at the Buttermilks. I was very pleased with my ability to easily move from boulder to boulder using the handles and carrying it as a suitcase. The gear pack held a few pair of shoes, a community chalk bucket, my wallet and keys, food and water. Most of all, the pad is light: about 13 pounds, making it the lightest pad for its size on the market (in this prototype stage).


66" x 44" x 5"

"Pit Protector" straps keep the pad rigid over uneven landings

Clip in gear pack for all your bouldering needs


"Pit Protector" straps always stay attached. Just tighten and loosen the D rings as needed.


Cam Buckle closures are SUPER durable and easy to use

Totally redesigned carrying system. Fat shoulder and waist straps carefully positioned to fit both short and tall torsos.


KJ Signature Asana Crash Pad.



I'll be in Bishop for a few more days of testing before we send the results back to Asana for another round of prototypes. In the next post, I'll go over how some of the features are working out, what we are going to change for the next prototype, and hopefully, a timeline for it's release. As always, feel free to comment if you want to see a feature added that you don't see here already. We'll take it into consideration!

Thanks,
KJ
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11 comments:

  1. MartinFebruary 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    awesome ... it looks cool - bether than my big madrock pad ... i hope to get one of these here in europe :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. m.February 20, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    I wonder about the hing system though. Up here in Squamish we find it quite difficult to flatten out landings with that style. I prefer a taco style. Also with damp ground it's nice to have a top fabric that allows you to wipe your feet dry. Aside from those small points the pad looks quite beefy.

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  3. kjFebruary 20, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    Thanks Martin. We plan on offering them globally, so stay tuned if you're interested!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2010 at 8:05 PM

    Whoever comes up with a viable inflatable/deflatable pad will own and revolutionize the market. The main impediment to these things are their size, making them impracticable for air travel (and having 4 of them in a small rental car once you get there), not to mention the stigma of walking around with a mattress strapped to your back. Also the CFC's involved in manufacturing the foam pad itself makes them about the least green, least recyclable, least biodegradeable climbing-related product on the market.

    Maybe ThermaRest, the inflatable sleeping pad company, could be
    approached for input as to how to make this happen. I think eventually someone will come up with a better idea, and we will all look back and laugh (like we do now about lycra in the 80's) about how ridiculous we all looked carrying mattresses around...

    ReplyDelete
  5. CoreyFebruary 21, 2010 at 2:43 PM

    Have you considered a strap on the top for those of us who like to pad stack and carry multiple pads?

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    Do you plan on double stitching where the shoulder straps connect to the pad? That always seems to be a weak point on crash pads, mainly when carrying a second pad strapped to it. Pad looks awesome and the weight is unreal for a pad that size.

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  7. MaccaFebruary 22, 2010 at 5:25 AM

    That is one sweet looking prototype! Globally sounds good, try getting a few over to Australia if you can. We are seriously starved of good climbing gear over here!

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2010 at 7:33 AM

    looks rad.
    any idea what the price is going to look like?
    thanks,
    ak

    ReplyDelete
  9. JayFebruary 22, 2010 at 11:33 PM

    Wow the pad looks great!

    Looks like it has highballs covered. Perhaps a small matt for cleaning the soles of your shoes would be handy also.

    Good luck

    Jay
    Sydney OZ

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  10. gianFebruary 23, 2010 at 1:04 AM

    wicked pit protector feature!!!

    a bit skeptical about the lightness...
    in my very limited experience light pad=crap foam. Heavy pad=sturdy, durable foam.
    It's a compromise...

    ReplyDelete
  11. jackFebruary 23, 2010 at 6:50 PM

    Rad I could definitely use one of these. I like the backpack feature and the straps to keep the pad level. How does it feel to have your own signature pad?

    ReplyDelete

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