A crash pad is a multipurpose tool. Not only does it protect you when you're bouldering, but it also provides a place to sleep, hang out, and carry your stuff. Though they are very large and can be challenging to lug around to your favorite pebble, crash pads are a fantastic innovation that has enabled boulderers to push their sports' boundaries.
Hinged crash pads rely on a foamless seam to fold upon themselves. This makes portability easier and allows the pad to lay flat in the landing zone. The downfall to this design is that the pads must be carefully placed to avoid letting rocks poke through the unprotected hinged area.
