How it works, what it fits, and why climbers keep choosing it over a traditional ledge.
Taco Wall — 2 lb (907 g) · SuperTaco — 1 lb 6 oz (624 g) · Cut and sewn to order in Tacoma, WA (3–5 weeks)
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Some of the best climbs are a long way from the car, and a 20 lb portaledge turns that approach into a slog. The Taco gives you real sleep at day-pack weight.
Which Taco is which
There are two Tacos. They are the same idea built to two different weights. Pick by how far you're walking.
SuperTaco — 1 lb 6 oz (624 g)
The fast-and-light one. Lighter, stronger fabric, fewer anchor points, sized for a narrow 20" × 72" pad. Your feet hang a little off the end — that's the trade that keeps the packed size tiny. For alpine missions and minimalist overnights.
Taco Wall — 2 lb (907 g)
The one for living on the wall. Heavier-duty fabric, more anchor points, side-height adjustment for slabs, roller-cam buckle. Fits a full 25" × 76" pad for the flattest bed. For big wall stances and multi-night routes.
Both pack to roughly the size of a two-liter bottle. Both work with the Gordito Storm Fly.
See both on the product page →
Watch it go up
Four minutes, start to finish: how the SuperTaco packs, clips, and deploys at a stance.
What the Taco is, and what it isn't
The Taco is a flexible, anchor-suspended sleep system. It supports your pad and your body across fixed points. It is not a framed cot, and it doesn't pretend to be one. Think wall efficiency with ultralight bivy comfort.
Pad fit
The pad does most of the work here, so this matters more than it sounds like it should.
- SuperTaco — built around a 20" × 72" Therm-a-Rest XLite. Small pack size. Feet hang slightly off the end, by design.
- Taco Wall — best with a 25" × 76" pad with horizontal baffles, like the Nemo Quazar.
- Horizontal (sideways) baffles resist banana curl and give you a flatter surface. Vertical baffles let you sag into a trough.
Side by side
| Feature | Taco Wall | SuperTaco |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2 lb (907 g) | 1 lb 6 oz (624 g) |
| Best use | Big wall stances, overnight routes, maximum stability | Alpine and fast missions, minimalist overnights, tiny pack volume |
| Ideal pad | ~25" × 76" horizontal-baffle pad (Nemo Quazar) | 20" × 72" Therm-a-Rest XLite (feet extend past the end) |
| Pad compatibility | Works with many 76" inflatables; horizontal baffles preferred | Takes a 76" pad in a pinch, but isn't built for bulky pads |
| Adjustment | Side-height adjustment, roller-cam buckle | Fewer anchor points, simpler system |
| Storm protection | Both work with the Gordito Storm Fly | |
How it works
- Prep on the ground. Inflate your pad to size the straps correctly. Then deflate the pad, leave it inside the Taco, and pack the whole thing into the supplied stuff sack.
- Clip in. At the stance, clip the Taco to a safe anchor. Stay clipped to the anchor with your rope at all times.
- Deploy. Re-inflate the pad, adjust side height until the bed is level, get in.
In the field
Independent footage of the Taco in real use: setup, packing, fly compatibility, wall and alpine context.
Bliss Climbing / Yann Camus
Overview and use cases.
Side by side against the POD and the Forrest.
Ryan Tilley, AMGA Guide
HowNot2 × HMG
Shorts
What climbers say
★★★★★ Lucky
Best sleep I've got off the ground. I love this portaledge; it's very comfortable and cheap. I see no reason to buy any other portaledge.
★★★★★ Yann Camus · Bliss Climbing
The Taco portaledge is the lightest option available. At just ~600 g it was so negligible I barely noticed it during our climb of the Nose in June 2024, my fourth time on the route. The Taco made all the difference in making this trip not just possible, but enjoyable. It shines where you have at least a stance to stand on and need a comfy place to sleep.
If you're heading up big walls with stances but want the best sleep for tricky spots, the Taco is worth it. Highly recommended.
★★★★★ Wayne
Options matter. I never would have considered a hammock for a hanging bivouac unless it had some lateral support for the hips and shoulders. Now that we have modern pads for something like this, it makes all the difference. If your pad is good enough, you probably don't need a spreader bar.
★★★★★ Christopher
Great alternative to a portaledge. I like that it can turn into a hanging chair — super comfortable and functional.
More independent coverage:
- Bliss Climbing — Taco portaledge, my new favorite ledge
- Bliss Climbing — full review: POD vs Taco vs Forrest
- Ryan Tilley, AMGA — unboxing and first impressions
- HowNot2 — Cascades wall field use with the Gordito fly
- HowNot2 — shop walkthrough: how the Taco Wall works
Questions we actually get
Which pad should I buy?
SuperTaco: Therm-a-Rest XLite, 20" × 72". Compact and light. Feet hanging a bit off the end is expected and fine.
Taco Wall: a ~25" × 76" pad with horizontal baffles, like the Nemo Quazar, for the flattest surface.
Does the fly fit both?
Yes. Both the Taco Wall and the SuperTaco work with the Gordito Storm Fly for weather and sun.
How long until it ships?
Every Taco is cut and sewn to order. Typical lead time is 3–5 weeks.
Can I use it on the approach, or as shade?
Yes. The Taco doubles as a rest sling or a shade tarp in a pinch. Always prioritize safe anchor management.
Is this a replacement for a full portaledge?
Sometimes. Climbers have done more with less.
The Taco works fine in a free-hanging scenario. What it isn't is comfortable or versatile enough for a multi-day free-hanging wall — something like the Pacific Ocean Wall on El Cap. You want a real ledge for that.
Where it shines is a route like the Nose, with intermittent standing belays. Most of what you're doing in a Taco is lying down and sleeping. That's pretty much it, and it's very good at it.
Ready to go light?
Want the backstory? Read the Zion field test.