Mat Information

You find the problems, and Flashed helps solve them...

At Flashed we've tested and thrashed our bouldering products in many different ways and many different places around the world. We've also learned (the hard way) to focus on the little innovations to help the overall performance of the entire product by going the extra distance and taking the time to:

sew an extra reinforced cover stitch on all larger mats
sew a durable #10 YKK zipper on every Flashed foam opening (Velcro wears out too fast) for convenient cleaning
protect corners by reinforcing them with extra fabric and stitching
Apply extra bar tacks in high-use, high-tension areas
use modular padded shoulder straps, adjustable for both women and men
never underestimate the energy-saving qualities of a waist belt

Flashed Bling Buckle

Finally solves the problem of how to close a mat. Our proprietary "bling" buckle is quick release, adjustable, durable and chrome plated. It'll never break, bend or mutilate and will flash forever.

Flashed Foam Matrix

Our mats consistently provide the best cushioning using the technical advancement of our unparalleled foam matrix. One inch of double laminated (stronger) polyethylene closed-cell foam floats just under the cover ready to ensure that you have a firm landing surface, and helps transfer fall energy towards the outside of the mat. Our floating closed cell system helps prevent pad skate-out. The Flashed design and development team considers the open cell foam the most important feature of our mat design. Our commitment to high standards lives on through our selection of high cell-count foam. This ensures our mats consistently function more safely and last longer.

Cover Play — Prevents "skate-out"

There is nothing worse than having your feet touch down on your pad laid out on angled terrain only to have it skate away from you leaving you to fall on exposed hazards. Our testing process shows that a slightly looser cover will skate less than a tightly packed cover of the same materials. Allowing the cover, combined with the Flashed Foam Matrix (FFM) to move slightly dampens the inertia created on an angled impact, thus minimizes the risk of your Flashed mat "skating out" from underneath you.

All Flashed mats are designed to have "cover play" to allow:

An independent floating top closed cell foam to dampen initial fall inertia
To better grip on angled terrain

This prevents "skate-out" by reducing impact force (kinetic energy) and improving energy transfer.

Quality Cell Count

"The secret is in cell count… quality foam is worth its weight."

The saying, "don't judge a book by its cover" applies here. At Flashed, we believe everything starts with the foam matrix. There are some things on which you should not compromise, and quality foam is worth its weight for safety. Don't be fooled by a lighter and stiffer pad. Off the store shelf one will get what one needs in absorption, only to find that it packs out fast. The secret is in the cell count. The more cells there are to absorb the kinetic energy from the impact, the longer it will take to break down and pack out. Flashed mats have one of the highest cell counts in the industry.

Modular Harness System — Why we use it

Hitting overhanging tree branches with the top of your pad and falling backward
Falling forward because you hit a protruding object with the bottom of your pad while climbing down
Having the pad hit the back of your legs

These just a few reasons why people ask about our adjustable harness system. Our mats are made to travel, whether it is around the world or around a few boulders; up a hill, or through a narrow cave. Pads are big, and cumbersome, we need to be "dialed" into our current landing system. By having a modular harness system that can adjust to your specific body type, you will experience a more sensitive feel and comfortable awareness of the area your mat requires while on your back.