Commando Part 2

Hey, Everybody. Here's some more info that you may or may not find interesting.

I would like to introduce you to a little known aspect about new Commando Crash Pad that I think is really cool. After 14 years of designing dozens and dozens of different Crash Pad models, this is without a doubt the most efficient Crash Pad I have ever made.

Here's one example: Rolls of fabric come in standard widths of 58" or roughly 1.5 meters. A product designer needs to find the best usage of this area, or else the remaining fabric would be wasted. And that would just be dumb.

So I designed the 09 Commando and it's patterns to lay out at a perfect 58" x 36". The main body, the side flaps, the top and bottom flaps, all of it. The result is less than 1/2 of 1% of the total area is waste. This is an exceptionally good use of fabric. Check it out:



That ain't all. The Commando also uses minimal energy to put it all together. The eight different pieces of fabric require just 18 short cuts (145 total inches of cutting) with a stack cutter (a vertical blade that cuts fabric), 16 passes under the single-needle machine and 13 passes under the bar-tacker. That means less electricity used in the production of this baby.

And since we're on the subject of energy consumption, there's one more important aspect to address: we don't float these Crash Pads in from China. They are all manufactured right here in our humble little shop in Salt Lake. In fact, we are the largest manufacturer of Crash Pads that does NOT outsource production to China, Honduras, Philipines, etc.



I can also get into the efficient use of foam, but you're bored by now, right?

2009 Commando Pad

Here's the info on the updated Commando Pad. Like the Mission, the Commando still has the same dimensions as the last couple years (41" x 32" x 3"), but the major differences are in the transportation/carrying system.



There is now one padded shoulder strap and 3 metal buckles that can be configured to carry this baby 3 different ways. Just thread the webbing ends through these several optional points.



We also made the top and bottom flaps a little longer and wider to keep your stuff inside. We're just finishing the prototypes now. In about a month, it's going into full production.

Revolution European Website

A massive update on the Rev E.U. site. It's only been up for a few days now, but we will continue to throw on lots of cool info. Check it out...

http://www.revolutionclimbing.eu/

... and spend some money! Because the German economy is on the verge of falling apart without you! Don't you watch the news?

2009 Mission Pad

Here's what we've been working on. We're doing some upgrades to the Revolution Crash Pad line. The Mission still has the same dimensions as the last 2 years (48" x 41" x 3.625"), but we've moved around some things on the fabric shells and added a few features.


NEW BACKPACK SET-UP
This one is cool. We've had a few complaints from shorter climbers about the shoulder strap-to-hip belt area being a little to large for them, so we are doing a removable shoulder strap that can be mounted in a higher or lower place.

We've also made the back of the pack area a little more narrow, so that it better fits the small of your back and the hip belt is a little more snug.

I'll throw on some photos of the new shoulder strap soon. Needless to say, it's bitchen'. We are using a .375" thick EVA foam in this strap, which means that it's thicker (more comfortable) and longer lasting. EVA foam is the type of stuff used in padding Tennis Shoes, so it's designed to last.

"MUDFLAPS"
No, not this kind of mud flaps...

We're talking about a little modified design to keep the back of the Mission Pad clean...

The same side, top and bottom flaps used to close and secure the Mission Pad can be folded in the opposite direction when the Pad is open and ready for climbing useage. This means that you can cover the Backpack area of the Pad to keep it free of mud, dirt, etc. that would otherwise cover your clothes when you're carrying the Pad (the above photo shows the back or "ground" side of the Mission).

NEW POCKET
Changed this Sumbitch, too. For years, we've mounted the velcro-closing pocket on the side flap. We decided to add a top flap with a pocket so's you don't have to open the pad to access the pocket. The actual pocket opening is on the inside of the flap, just an extra measure to keep your stuff safe.


That's it for now. I'll throw on more info about the modified Commando Pad as soon as I can. Later.

Like a Boss

So this is the new theme song down here at Revolution World Headquarters. Whenever you have some important shit to do, do it "like a boss"

Krom!

Oh yeah, one more thing: I just bought the Double DVD of the Conan the Barbarian films. Both of 'em.

Screw that "Lord of the Rings" crap with the dwarves and fairies and shit. This is all about stabbing people with a sword.

Plus it has the best movie quote ever...
Mongol General:Conan! What is best in life?
Conan: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

That's deep, yo.

yo

Sorry I haven't done any blogginess in 2 weeks. We've had a ton of work to do.

We just finished some custom Crash Pads for a gym in Canada, almost 500 square feet worth. Check the photos...




And the Euro branch of Revolution just finished the new web-site: http://www.revolutionclimbing.eu/

I'm impressed. Leave it to the Germans to organize something this complicated. We will be throwing a lot of cool stuff on there; photos, videos, topos to new bouldering areas, etc., so keep checking it out.

And Revolution employee and general nice guy Johnny Landry has started a blog about his photography and his climbing sessions.

And we're working on re-designs of the entire Crash Pad line. More info on that soon...