Climbing gear lab website reviews.

Climbing gear lab website reviews Jan 25, 2010 · Aliens excel at both granite (Yosemite) and sandstone (Zion) big walls where there are pin scars and other shallow placements. Aug 30, 2013 · That adds up to a lot of savings when you're purchasing an entire set. Dec 5, 2024 · The Wild Country Revo is a complicated looking belay device that actually performs very simply in the hands of the belayer. CiloGear packs have developed a rabid following and have spawned some haters. The Camp Air Harness has been replaced by the Camp Air CR EVO. May 24, 2020 · Free Climbing. Jan 8, 2019 · Thanks to its classic HMS/pear shape, this contender is adept at holding clove hitches and Munter hitches, important considerations if looking at locking carabiners that can perform well on multi-pitch climbs or on alpine routes where a Munter hitch may be a more efficient belay than a standard tube style device or a plaquette (auto-blocking belay device), or necessary if you happen to drop Oct 26, 2020 · The Camp Dyon is an excellent and versatile wire gate carabiner offering a balance between ultralight tiny biners and the jumbo trad dad biners from the 90s. 8mm, or . Jul 30, 2024 · The bag features a large tarp, comfortable backpack-style straps, and plenty of space for your essential climbing gear. Overall, Super Cams are a well made, quality, durable piece of equipment. 95 Narrow - $8. The Verso and other tube-style devices are ideal for beginning climbers learning the basics of belaying. Mar 14, 2024 · The Origin VS performed great for those subtle toe and heel hook moves. In typical GearLab style, we begin our climbing rope test with detailed market research to determine which are the top climbing ropes on the market. Black Diamond® Equipment | Climbing, Skiing & Trail Running Gear Jul 21, 2012 · The Ange is the most striking wiregate carabiners we have seen. Its aggressive teeth work well on icy ropes. Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. They are also useful (although not as popular) for free climbing. www. The Small helmet fits a 48-56 cm range, and the Large a 56-62 cm range. Dec 20, 2024 · We use our in-depth testing to outline all our favorite climbing gear to make your purchase decisions easier. Trail shoes range from essentially no cushion (requiring you to strengthen your feet and lower leg muscles), to all the cushion (with the goal of going easy on your joints). Apr 16, 2010 · The Black Diamond Angle is the most classic piton still made and is the image most people associate with a piton. May 13, 2020 · The time tested webbing and ratchet isn't likely to cause you any trouble and Gibbon has a long reputation for making quality gear. Not the least or most expensive cam on the market. While the shoe features a wider toe box than other La Sportiva models that we tested, it does not prevent the shoe from edging and smearing on fifth Apr 4, 2025 · At GearLab, our roots are in rock climbing, as the website started as an offshoot of SuperTopo. Jan 20, 2010 · What sets this climbing nut apart is a little more taper front to back (the most typical placement orientation) than Stoppers, Wedgies or Huevos, a useful quality in many situations. The come in three sizes: Mini - $7. The flat last also offers superior comfort and the toe profile is wide enough to accommodate a variety of foot shapes (I would recommend trying a pair on in a store – or even better wait for a Scarpa boot demo at your local climbing gym) except maybe very wide feet and there are plenty of sizing options available. With the largest gate opening of any of the draws we tested in our review update, the Photon Wire Express is easy to handle even with gloves on, and you'll shave a pound off your rack if you use them instead of a heavier sport climbing draw. The Surge has its moments early on in an adventure, but ultimately it's not too hard to reach the protective limits of this model. The Acrux AR climbed rock well for a double boot and was only slightly lower performing than the super-gaiter boots in our test. May 30, 2022 · Dave puts the updated, classic Alta III jacket from ethical brand Paramo to the test. Where other units draw the user to compromise the belay by holding down a camming rope pinch, the Vergo pinches the rope by rotating the entire device when weighted. This groove helps them excel at irregular rock types such as limestone and crystallized granite. Best Application. P. Value. Our current review features the 10 best camming devices GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. Ease of getting on and off the rope when passing pieces is good. Get the skinny on how it stacks up against other top products in our review of carabiners. All reviews are incredibly subjective, so a good review site should be upfront about this, and Raf is. At GearLab, our readers are at the heart of everything we do. This is in part from whatever chalk-to-alcohol ratio Friction Labs uses in their mix, and also from the fact that they use a finer textured chalk than the Mammut. Heading out onto the trail to test some of the highest quality and most popular hiking boots for women available today. To that end, our expert reviewers unselfishly tied their laces and took to the desert, valleys, coasts, and mountains to test the full roster of shoes and boots. It earns our Top Pick Award for indoor climbing because of its excellent performance as a gym climbing bag. It packs much flatter than other haul bags when not in use or if you want to sleep on top of it as a sleeping pad at the summit or base. Mar 19, 2010 · Check out our complete Best Climbing Helmets Review to compare current helmets. And it's light enough to be a stealthy companion on long, remote missions. The Mini Traxion let them go solo. May 13, 2021 · Hyperlite Mountain Gear continues to set the new standard in technical climbing packs and carrying comfort. Apr 9, 2021 · Climbing Gear Reviews. I recommend the sizes . This gives them a huge advantage over other small cams that lack thumb loops. But if you want to take your alpine climbing to new heights, the Beal Opera is a worthy investment. From big wall gear like ascenders and haul bags to everyday necessities like rock climbing ropes and top-rated carabiners, we have you covered. Apr 8, 2022 · Climbing Gear Reviews says: April 8, 2022 at 15:58. It's not that the fabric can't repel debris, but this gaiter is held in place by a lace hook at the front and a rubberized strip in the back. Among comparably priced affordable draws, they perform the best. 95. Dec 19, 2019 · Free Climbing. Here we Jan 8, 2019 · While this shouldn't be a safety concern, it doesn't make us feel as if we are using, or purchasing, the very highest quality equipment, an odd thing to say for a piece of gear from Black Diamond. It is not as light as newer models, but is still a great pick for rescue, caving and heavyduty climbing situations such as you find on big walls. Mar 13, 2023 · No matter your climbing style or budget, we've included a variety of models to fit most needs. 95” This statement, taken from Rock Empire's website, could stop a trad climber's heart and simultaneously empty his wallet (they're so cheap, I can afford more!). Here is the (now outdated) Rock Empire Robot Cam Review; “Cams Start at 36. Jan 30, 2018 · Totem Cams are our favorite cams for aid climbing because of their ability to engage only two lobes at a time, allowing for an endless array of strange, body-weight-only placements, multiple clip-in points, and super narrow heads, even in the larger hand sizes. Oct 25, 2021 · The Ultimate Direction Scram is a uniquely versatile pack with some features specific to climbing, running, alpine, and skiing packs. 0 mm rope and the GriGri 2 better in a larger 10. It is among See our in-depth gear reviews, with testing and analysis of outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment for hiking, backpacking, climbing, and more. Apr 15, 2020 · The CAMP USA Photon Lock is a full sized screw gate locker with an offset-D shape that is versatile, incredibly light, and comes at a fantastic price. 95 and they took two business day to arrive. If you are a rock climber, check out our climbing site, SuperTopo. Larger than the 1 (red) is the 1. S. Best Applications. 1 mm test. co. By Ben Applebaum-Bauch ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ April 9, 2021. Oct 27, 2022 · The Osprey Mutant 38 earns top marks again and retains our Editors' Choice Award. Oct 25, 2024 · They are a little harder to clean than more traditional, non-offset nuts, and you do need a few smaller pieces to mate them with for a complete rack. Weight/Bulk Nov 8, 2018 · Mammut has updated its Ophira harness since our last review. Shoe Reviews We laced up in the top brands from Salomon, Nike, HOKA, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen and Teva. Oct 30, 2024 · Shopping for climbing ropes can be a bewildering task. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. This Wells Lamont is one of our favorites because it is relatively durable, has a tight fit, is inexpensive, and is widely available. We also updated the individual review for the Mountain Hardwear Multi-Pitch 20 backpack, which has been revised since our last test period. They do have somewhat limited applications so be sure that they will work for your climbing area/aspirations. 68. It has some of the most unique features of any model we tested and if going to the gym is a part of your daily routine, you'll likely appreciate its design. Both devices have a significant advantage over other models in this application and can be employed on long multi-pitch climbs to save your strength for the climbing instead of the belaying. It has plenty of hanging comfort and ergonomic gear loops for days at the sport crag, and its features make it a great choice for trad climbing, multi-pitch climbing, and routes where lots of gear is required. Mar 29, 2019 · Friction & Overall Feel. Our reviews run the gamut from everyday backpacks to the top ultralight packs to a comparison of the best backpacking packs. By clicking on our links, you can support our testing work as we may earn a commission. … Dec 5, 2023 · This is a review of mountaineering backpacks for technical alpine climbing. Once you get the hang of it, the ascender rarely catches before you get to full extension on the top ascender. Free EU shipping over 70€ Apr 16, 2010 · Likes. Dec 21, 2015 · Both the shoulder and hip straps are ergonomically molded to handle heavy loads (50+ lbs). r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. Jun 7, 2019 · CAMP is still based there, and they've been producing climbing and mountaineering equipment since 1920, when they produced ice axes for the Italian army. This bag is light and simple. The older version won our Editors' Choice award thanks to its comfortable design and climbing performance. We used this harness on everything from basic beginner gym auto-belay routes to multi-pitch trad routes, where gear loops came in handy for bringing the gear back up to the leader. Mar 5, 2012 · For more detailed information, please refer to the notices on our website. Sep 14, 2022 · Climbing. What about best backpacks for women? Got you Jan 20, 2020 · I ended up selling the harness to a scronny friend who is just getting into climbing, and got myself a petzl Adjama- much more gear loop space, super comfy, and even has a 5th rear gear loop for anchor gear/extra stuff. Related: Best Climbing Shoes for Women GearLab reviews are ad-free and entirely reader Recent Gear Reviews in Boots Reviews. Aug 6, 2018 · The Camp Supernova harness weighs 12. They aren't cheap, but they are built to last GearLab reviews are ad-free and entirely reader-supported. Conclusion The Classic Line XL is great for those looking for a basic line, but with the added length (82'), it will keep the beginner challenged for a long time. An awesome shoe for long climbs requiring a variety of crack climbing and edging techniques: With this shoe, you can climb pitch after pitch without pain: A simple shoe with solid performance for trad climbing: A bargain price for a climbing shoe with respectable performance: Rating Categories: Tenaya Tarifa: La Sportiva Katana La Sportiva A climbing helmet is an essential piece of gear for outdoor climbing, whether you’re headed to the mountains or top-roping at the crag. Sep 3, 2024 · The all new, super light harness from Arc’teryx fills a neat gap in the harness range. uk. Jul 23, 2024 · The TX Guide is a great option for those with narrow feet, offering hiking support and excellent climbing precision: Perfect for users with wider-than-average feet, these shoes can do it all, from 5th-class climbing to long approaches to aid climbing. This is the ideal crag pack for climbers that like to take things slow. Feb 8, 2010 · The classic pulley and ascender method of hauling still has its place if you are on a budget or need to haul really heavy loads. Jul 23, 2024 · Perfect for users with wider-than-average feet, these shoes can do it all, from 5th-class climbing to long approaches to aid climbing. Nov 5, 2024 · They combine the light, nimble feel of a running shoe with the climbing precision of the top-performing approach shoes on the market. Disclaimer – CGR reviewers and writers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising or link to affiliate sales. The packs are equipped with features useful for everything from traditional mountaineering with ice axes and crampons to alpine rock climbs, ice climbs, or even ski mountaineering. Oct 30, 2024 · Although we didn't prefer the Joker for gym climbing or single-pitch cragging, it's certainty usable in those applications. Feb 7, 2010 · This is the lightest cam we tested and maybe the lightest camming device currently made. All the best brands of gear, shoes and clothing for rock climbing and mountaineering. Our expert team has a combined 40 years of climbing experience and has field-tested the best climbing gear since the inception of our site, with 20+ climbing cams tested over the past decade. Our outstanding testers went on hundreds of adventures in all kinds of weather to help you find the perfect rain, climbing, and hiking pants. Debris Protection. Don't let the overall “low” score fool Jun 26, 2012 · This climbing pulley helped revolutionize Yosemite big wall free climbing. This pack defies limits, shifting with ease from a gear-hauling machine able to carry several days' worth of equipment into basecamp to a svelte summit pack nimble enough to climb complex technical alpine routes without compromising on features and durability. It has the same sticky Trax rubber as other Evolv approach shoes and plenty of sensitivity compared to heavier models like the Salewa Firetail 3 . They call it the Range Finder system. We want to ensure that we're purchasing the right piece for the job and that that piece of gear is designed to last us for years of adventure. Whether you are looking for the best big wall harness, a top pair of aiders, haul bags, or the best ascenders, our reviews are born from hours of hooking, nailing and inching up the biggest walls in the world. It's also nice to use for lead climbing when the pitches approach 25 or 30 meters in length. It's a fraction of an ounce heavier than some of the other lightweight contenders in this review, but a heck of a lot cheaper. Wide - $9. It was the first climbing cam to seriously challenge the CCH Alien for the title of “best cam for shallow and awkward placements. Feb 21, 2020 · The Verso is tied for the most affordable device you can buy, and is a solid recommendation for people new to climbing. Luckily we are here to help! Our comparative testing over the years has taught us a lot about those specific ropes, which we shared in our Climbing Rope Review. Mar 22, 2011 · ” You realize that the typical climbing shoe, even if it fits tight, has some dead space where your foot meets the hard 90-degree edge of a typical climbing shoe. It also may be more durable than the X4, adding to its long-term value. Adjustability. He will never call something “the best”, it’s always “the best for this specific need”. It is also one of the lightest haul bags. Learn more . What the Rocklock Screwgate provides in function and overall versatility, it gives up in compactness and weight. See it ranked against other top products in our review of climbing ropes. The ergonomic thumb loop on the Alien Revolutions is awesome for free climbing, making it significantly easier to grab the cam and engage the triggers when you're pumped out of your mind. Editor's Note: We updated this review on August 20, 2024, to update photos and testing perspectives for Nov 17, 2010 · Also, don't forget to check out our Best Climbing Cam Review. With various lengths, diameters, weave patterns, and water repellent treatments, it can be hard to make sense of it all. Oct 26, 2020 · These carabiners are great for nearly any purpose but shine on hard trad climbs, alpine climbing, and ice climbing, where it's nice to have a full-sized carabiner for ease of clipping, but weight is still a top priority. Shipping from mountain gear was $4. Dec 13, 2009 · DMM Wallnuts look different than most other Climbing Nuts they feature a small groove running vertically up one side of their head. Aug 6, 2024 · The Sama is a highly versatile harness that excels at any type of rock climbing. wildcountry. May 21, 2024 · Like many pieces of specialty climbing gear, ascenders are expensive. The Apr 12, 2015 · The New Camp Air CR EVO vs. Climbing equipment has come a long way from early ice axes and pitons to brightly colored harnesses for three year olds. An additional side benefit of lugging around a couple extra pounds of foam is that the pointy metal objects known as climbing gear can't poke and irritate your back. Its best use is as a compact belay locker while trad climbing, and we loved it for use with a Petzl Reverso, either while lead belaying or while belaying off the anchor in auto-lock mode. Sep 30, 2010 · All that added beefiness added a bit of weight and these cams were among the heaviest that we tested. Editor's Note: We updated our climbing shoe review on April 16, 2025, to remove a discontinued shoe from our lineup and ensure current pricing for each shoe. The version of the Air Harness that we previously reviewed was a fixed leg loop harness; there was also at that time an adjustable leg loop version. It does a capable job catching falls, feeding slack, and rappelling. Its two-thirds length is too short, and the opening it creates is too small. 25 (gold), which I have not Sep 9, 2017 · Any leather glove will work as a belay glove, but some are better than others. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which helps support our testing. It's light enough to help you float through cruxes on hard routes, both indoor and outdoor. I also like Rocks on a Wire in larger sizes better than Stoppers, Huevos or Wedgies because Rocks have less tendency to slide up and down the cable while being Dec 21, 2015 · The elastic side pockets were useful for keeping a guidebook handy or preventing your climbing shoes from getting smushed in the main compartment. REI Co-op Backpacker Low Review. We have seen so many body types discover HMG packs and instantly resolve years of drama in finding a comfortable pack, and this one in particular covers a range of activities from fast-and-light alpine to expedition hauls. Apr 15, 2023 · alpine climbing approach shoes Arc'teryx Belay jackets Black Diamond bouldering clothing climbing gear review Climbing harnesses Climbing packs Climbing shoes edelrid gear news Haglöfs ice climbing Ice climbing clothing Men's climbing clothing Patagonia Petzl Rab rock climbing clothing Scarpa Softshell clothing The North Face Trail Running Apr 16, 2025 · From boulders to big walls, our roundup of climbing gear on the market has something for everyone. It comes fully loaded with two huge gear loops on each side, a haul loop, and two ice clipper slots per side, making it useful for any kind of climbing. It has an easy to adjust click wheel tensioning strap on the back, and lots of soft cushioning pads on the inside where the helmet makes contact with the head. The chin strap has a sliding buckle to quickly adjust the positioning on the side of the head, but then both ends come out of the buckle and then double up through the end, leaving you with four strands to negotiate when trying to shorten or lengthen the chin strap Sep 3, 2015 · The Boostic thrives in the beyond-vertical world of hard sport climbing and bouldering. Dislikes. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. Jun 2, 2010 · This means that each unit will have less possibility of fitting, increasing the chance that you'll be turning back to your gear sling or harness for a different piece. OVERALL SCORE. Aug 30, 2019 · The Salomon Trail Low is a low-ankle gaiter meant for running or thru-hiking on dusty, duff-covered trails. You can contact him at truenorthalpine@gmail. With its super adjustable waist and legs, combined with its large amount of gear storage potential, we think this harness is pretty great for any rock climbing, whether that means trad cragging, clipping bolts at the gym, or a long free route at Red Rocks. Between outdoor cragging and gym climbing, the Classic is an excellent all-around model if you only want to own one rope bag. It has a noticeably bent spine that serves to not only improve the ergonomics for how well it fits in your hand, but also increases the amount of gate clearance while keeping the width of the carabiner compact. For general free climbing, we recommend the DMM Peenuts, for aid climbing or thin free climbing (think Eldorado Canyon) we like the DMM Brass Offset. Here we present an objective look at a pack that, like its competition, has some good qualities and some flaws. They aren't cheap, but they are built to last The TX Guide is a great option for those with narrow feet, offering hiking support and excellent climbing precision We have the best comparison reviews for big wall gear you will find on the internet, trust us. You don't need these for most of the popular trade routes. Because it has two waist buckles, only two sizes (Size 1 and 2) cover size small through extra large. When rappelling with the GiGi, especially on skinny ropes, we had to clip two carabiners into the bottom for the rope to run around in order to gain enough friction to keep control of the descent speed. Metolius Climbing color codes its cams to help you gauge the quality of a placement. This makes the gear easier to grab but also means it bunches up. The interior of the waistbelt has a split webbing design, with the upper webbing contouring around the top edge, and the lower webbing contouring through the middle (as opposed to the bottom), to prevent it from cupping or contorting. This is an adjustable and ultra-durable climbing helmet that has been around for ages. Oct 26, 2020 · The Alpha Trad is DMM's top of the line full-sized carabiner designed for all-around use; that is, for any climbing purpose at all. Plus the Fragile Flake - 14. While the second generation of this harness is still comfortable, we weren't a big fan of the redesigned gear loops. Climbing helmets protect your head from both rockfall and side impacts (such as hitting your head during a lead fall Jan 31, 2016 · The Cinch performed slightly better with a smaller 9. We've got the scoop on all the useful gear for your big mountain objectives, like 4-season tents, durable and lightweight mountaineering backpacks, and our top picks for ice axes. Just about any pulley and ascender will work but we are reviewing a combo of the Petzl Ascension with the CMI RP 101 so that there can be a comparison with other hauling devices in the review (see best in class for hauling devices). Apr 16, 2010 · I don't consider them mandatory for any Yosemite or sandstone routes, but climbers in more pocketed areas often swear by them. Editor's Note: We updated our climbing helmet review on December 20, 2024, to share an overview of some of our favorites and include specs tables for our award picks. It is the easiest bag to get in and out of on the wall. com Mar 13, 2015 · It shares our commitment to side-by-side comparison reviews, and use the same underlying technology platform. Apr 9, 2021 · Rab Muztag GTX Review An adjustable, lightweight full-length gaiter for sloppy mud, rain, and winter snow Even though they cover half your leg, the stretchy elastic top closure is comfortable and the main body of the gaiter is both breathable and warm. The very tapered toe box of the Boostic provides little extra room for the arching of your toes and the sole and upper are both extremely stiff. Nov 3, 2020 · The Black Diamond Momentum is a great harness for beginners and those looking to get into the sport on a budget. We don't particularly like using them when climbing near our limits, but on easier routes, especially long multi-pitch, we like to carry one due to its increased versatility, and feel like we can often get by with one Link Cam where we might have needed two normal cams. While it is heavy and bulky compared to the super thin and light Dyneema slings featured in this review, we chose to recognize it with a Top Pick award for clipping into a Belay or Anchor. 7 ounces in the Large size that we tested. Rest assured, our commitment to providing honest and trustworthy information remains One key benefit is after you’ve read a couple reviews you get a sense for Raf’s biases and preferences. If you combine these with the Metolius FS Mini carabiners or CAMP Nano 22, you will have the lightest possible climbing rack. Oct 25, 2019 · The CAMP USA Storm features an EPS liner and a polycarbonate shell, and it weighs 8. The Dyon is both lightweight and offers fantastic ease of clipping for those high-stress clips when fiddling around could land you in a world of pain. Nov 18, 2016 · Hands-On Review Likes. This ascender excels in the most important category: sliding smoothly up the climbing rope. Hi Jade. Shipped worldwide from our European warehouse. Apr 24, 2020 · It can be perfect for basic top-roping but also hold an assortment of gear or draws for more advanced climbing. Our work is ad and influence-free. May 6, 2025 · Our updated gear review compares 10 different models to help you choose the right piece for your next climbing objective, be it El Cap or your local crag. P. They aren't cheap, but they are built to last: Our favorite shoes for carrying over a route while multipitch climbing: Specializing in heavy loads and big wall climbing, this model is also a well-rounded favorite Sep 30, 2019 · The Petzl KAB stands out as an impressively functional rope bag for climbing indoors. These would make an excellent choice for newer climbers buying their first rack of draws who don't want to spend double what they have to, and while they are ideal for sport climbing, will also perform admirably on long multi-pitch routes or in Dec 18, 2009 · The GiGi has the least amount of friction of any belay device in the review. It has a removable tarp and zippered opening, which greatly improves its user-friendliness. They come in six sizes, ranging from a purple one-inch piece (they follow the same color scheme as Black Diamond cams), down to an incredibly tiny 7. Straight from the packaging and in hand, Gorilla Grip feels harder, crunchier and less powdery than the competition. The completely round stock, as compared to the I-beam stock prevalent in most lockers, allows the rope to slide smoothly with less friction, regardless of the Jun 29, 2015 · The CAMP Photon Wire Express KS Dyneema is a lightweight, full size quickdraw built for multi-pitch and alpine environments. (Check out our Best Climbing Cams Review for a complete breakdown of the cams we tested). It has an easy way to tuck away extra webbing on the waist. Straight out of the tube, Secret Stuff has a finer, creamier feel that Mammut liquid chalk. They are a little harder to clean than more traditional, non-offset nuts, and you do need a few smaller pieces to mate them with for a complete rack. 33 - 1 (black to red) and then I switch to the Black Diamond Camalot. In the right situation, Link Cams can be advantageous weapons on a free climber's rack. I agree with Layne, great all around, comfy, lots of gear, and not too expensive. Gear Institute is an network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing you—the gear buyer—with the most credible, objective, and helpful outdoor gear reviews and buying advice you can find on the web. This wrap is part of what makes it so good at toe hooking. While we closely examine key performance metrics, we also take into consideration versatility and overall value. Nov 29, 2015 · The CiloGear 45L WorkSack is a much talked about alpine pack. Some outdoor companies spend a lot of cash splashing their green credentials all over Instagram and TikTok and some companies have been quietly producing high quality, ethical and green products for 30 years with no need for an excessive social… Sep 8, 2023 · Editor's Note: Our climbing backpack review was updated on September 8, 2023, to remove a discontinued pack and to provide extra recommendations as alternatives to our award winners. Jun 11, 2010 · As Mike point's out below in the user reviews, these would easily take #4 cable which is wider, stronger and much more durable. PROS Lightweight Comfortable Medium is well sized CONS Dropping the back straps tricky We first featured an Arc’teryx harness way back in 2015, they were a revolution at the time with the amazing WST (Warp being the outstanding feature. The completely round stock, as compared to the I-beam stock prevalent in most lockers, allows the rope to slide smoothly with less friction, regardless of the Sep 14, 2022 · Climbing. The click-wheel on the back of the head is a quick and effective way of adjusting the circumference of the helmet. We whittle down a very long list to a small group of promising contenders and then purchase each of them at full retail price. Nov 1, 2024 · There's nothing fancy about it, but it still gets the job done and is an excellent option for those just breaking into trad climbing who need to purchase a lot of gear at once. To be fair to Rab they do produce around 30 women’s fit insulated jackets Oct 30, 2024 · The primary drawback is this rope's limited features, since you can't get it in a bi-pattern. Apr 4, 2025 · Gear loops are small for carrying a large rack, not super versatile for other styles of climbing: No ice clipper slots, left gear loops can be too far behind the climber: No ice clipper slots, heavy: Expensive, not versatile beyond sport and gym climbing, limited adjustability: Small gear loops, not versatile: Poor hanging comfort, lacks Aug 20, 2019 · The Beal Dynamic Sling is a 8. The front gear loops are good and the rear gear loops are easy to clip and cause all the gear to clump forward. Mountaineering Gear Reviews. On the plus side, chalk that chunky and less fine doesn't cake up on your hands or on the climbing holds like the chalk in the bottom of your bag that been there since last spring and has been ground down to moon dust. Especially when it comes to climbing, we feel that light is right, and so it's hard to find a spot on our racks for something that is inexplicably heavier than all of the other options. 3mm in diameter piece of climbing rope sewn into a sling. Think lotion, where Mammut feels like frosting. Hiking Gear Reviews We’ve tested hiking gear from Salomon, Patagonia, The North Face, Merrell, Scarpa, Keen, Lowa, and more. We took to our local sport crags, famous multi-pitch destinations, and the big mountains to conduct our side-by-side tests. Aug 12, 2024 · We think the DMM Dragonfly cams are some of the best small camming devices you can buy, especially among those that largely follow the “alien” design. Nov 5, 2024 · The climbing shoe inspired lacing system allows you to better customize the overall volume and fit of the shoe specific to your foot shape which greatly increases the overall climbing ability. Ankle flexibility is essential for rock climbing; we liked that the boot gave us the option to quickly increase the ankle flex by loosening up the velcro ankle strap (this is also a benefit when employing French technique on moderate slopes). Both are generally for routes that are A3/C3 or harder. They feature a large velcro attachment, sturdy instep strap, and elastic heel band. I bought the Narrow and Wide. Oct 30, 2024 · It isn't the best choice for a quiver-of-one rope, since it has limited usefulness for single-pitch climbing. Aug 20, 2024 · It only makes sense that we'd have in-depth reviews for the best climbing gear on the market. Since RURPs often get fixed, the number two cable quickly breaks leaving a worthless steel-filled placement. It features nice cushy foam padding on both the waist belt and the leg loops, and the TrakFit adjusters on the leg loops are far and away the easiest to use and adjust on the fly of any harness we have ever tested. See full list on outdoorgearlab. Just putting that out there… Super Chalk is cheap, it works, and it takes home our Best Buy Award. Free climbers used to beg and bribe their friends for the tedious job of belaying for hours on end while they worked out the crux moves. Back to the review: Wild Countrys Ropeman 3 was originally designed for rescue situations, and is a basic rope clamp that can be used for many different applications. Apr 4, 2025 · Over the past decade, our climbing experts tested over 40 different climbing ropes, with the 13 best models on the market in our current review. It's amazing to think that at one time routes were mostly climbed on angles alone. Not all boots are made for walkin'! From hiking boots to top winter boots to trail running shoes on the market, most footwear is designed for a purpose. Dec 5, 2024 · The Trango Vergo is a fantastic device for belaying the leader, providing an ergonomic and intuitive way to pay out slack without compromising the brake assist. Credit: Cam McKenzie Ring To figure out which carabiners are best, we rated them according to five different metrics, described in greater detail below. . GearLab was originally formed as the gear review section on SuperTopo, which provides climbing guidebooks and web information to the rock climbing community. Outdoor Gear Lab is the next best bet. 8 ounces and is constructed using a Modified Edge Load technique. We independently purchase all the products we test, ensuring that our reviews are unbiased and reliable. 31 inches. Don't forget our comparative review of climbing helmets as well! Nov 12, 2019 · Petzl says that it is designed for rock climbing, mountaineering, or via ferrata. Also included is a mini-tarp to set your gear on, which is good because the 'quick access' side zipper isn't very functional. Friction & Overall Feel. Oct 10, 2019 · The SRP is £160 and they are available direct from the Salomon EU website. These features and accessories are somewhat unique in our review, but what really sets the Scram apart from the competition are the two shoulder strap pockets. However, if all you need is a basic climbing rope for single, multi-pitch, and gym climbing, this rope is a solid performer and a fantastic value. Compactness and Weight. Apr 19, 2018 · The CAMP USA Orbit Wire Express KS has two wiregate carabiners on a 16 mm wide sling. double synthetic boot for high altitude alpine climbing and expeditions Apr 14, 2010 · The bigger sizes are good for clean climbing and sandstone big wall climbs. Apr 11, 2019 · While we couldn't weigh the shorter 24" version, BlueWater's website has it listed as 42g, which is still far and away the heaviest sling in this review. com and check out his latest trips and adventures on Instagram @truenorthalpine Disclaimer – CGR reviewers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising. If you're new to climbing and are looking for a more versatile rope, this shouldn't be your rope. These features catapulted it to near the top of our overall ratings, and at such a low price, makes it a shoe-in winner of our Best Bang for the Buck Award. By comparison, the Speedster has no edge and instead just wraps around your foot. May 15, 2018 · Climbing Ability Though billed as a supportive hiker, easy scrambling, and the occasional stepping-out-of-your-aiders free move are more this shoe's MO. While many assisted braking devices work to help you catch a fall and lock off the brake strand, the Revo works differently, with an emergency backup that locks up the device should the belay fail. It is a specialty climbing shoe that will enable serious grade pushing, at the expense of comfort and wearability. Jan 17, 2010 · I got my Moses Cam Hooks from Mountain Gear and went straight to my local crumbly beach cliff to try them out. Aug 7, 2024 · The mesh waistband and leg loops move freely with the user and are barely noticeable while standing, walking, or climbing. Feb 22, 2023 · He specialises in rock climbing, ice and mixed climbing and ski-touring. Free Climbing, Aid climbing, Light and Fast Adventures. Instead of a loop of metal that every other wiregate uses, the Ange uses a single straight piece: the gate looks like a toothpick that stabbed a raisin. Frankly, it's our favorite approach shoe for climbing 4th and 5th-class rock, receiving our nod for its prowess in alpine settings and objectives where approach shoes might replace climbing shoes. The good news is that we can help, not only with deciding what type of backpack you need, but reviews that walk you through the various types, and the pros and cons of each. The Camp Air That We Tested. Mar 29, 2019 · Metolius says straight up on their website that climbing harder because of expensive chalk is merely the placebo effect. We are a bunch of keen climbers and travellers that accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the Oct 25, 2019 · The Mammut Skywalker 2 is a hard ABS plastic shell helmet with an EPS foam liner on the inside, providing extra impact resistance for the top of the head. That said, usually a climbing cam with a flexible stem and narrow head will work in a Tricam placement. ghwhvl hwjlad xgytfl stsm rvqhha rpfcn yjz eqjwt sranl psbn