Climbing gear lab reviews. If you are going to do a ton of walls, it is worth it.

Climbing gear lab reviews An easy-to-use, lightweight, full-length gaiter that topped the competition in our tests. May 6, 2025 · Rounding out our women's climbing gear reviews is Jane Jackson, bringing her experience as a professional mountain guide who has worked in Yosemite, the Tetons, and parts of Alaska. Apr 12, 2015 · The New Camp Air CR EVO vs. If you combine these with the Metolius FS Mini carabiners or CAMP Nano 22, you will have the lightest possible climbing rack. 31 inches. We also updated the individual review for the Mountain Hardwear Multi-Pitch 20 backpack, which has been revised since our last test period. By clicking on our links, you can support our testing work as we may earn a commission. Rab Latok Alpine Review. Its aggressive teeth work well on icy ropes. 25 (gold), which I have not Aug 7, 2024 · The mesh waistband and leg loops move freely with the user and are barely noticeable while standing, walking, or climbing. They do have somewhat limited applications so be sure that they will work for your climbing area/aspirations. Learn How to Use Your GriGri Correctly! 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. 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. 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. Apr 18, 2015 · The Petzl Pro Traxion is really expensive compared to the Waul Hauler. Our reviews run the gamut from everyday backpacks to the top ultralight packs to a comparison of the best backpacking packs. Feb 11, 2025 · Our time-tested approach to gear reviews starts by doing market research on all of the available models, and comparing them to the products we have tested over the years. We look at product specifications and design, and draw on anecdotal evidence to select the best products for side-by-side testing. 5" of open cell foam between stiffer closed cell foam layers that are 1" on top and 0. Dec 5, 2024 · Walk around any popular climbing crag and gym, and the majority of the belayers you see will be using a GriGri. We buy everything from the stores, just like you do, then test them over months. This groove helps them excel at irregular rock types such as limestone and crystallized granite. May 5, 2021 · 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 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. 7 ounces in the Large size 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. Dec 20, 2024 · We use our in-depth testing to outline all our favorite climbing gear to make your purchase decisions easier. They aren't cheap, but they are built to last Dec 5, 2024 · The Petzl GriGri+ is the best active assisted-braking belay device for newer climbers and feels very familiar to anybody who has used a GriGri before. Apr 7, 2010 · Likes. Apr 4, 2025 · 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. 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. If you are going to do a ton of walls, it is worth it. Whatever your climbing pursuits, we hope our comprehensive reviews help you zero in on your options and guide you toward an informed decision for your future rock endeavors. Johanna Flashman. Nov 12, 2019 · Petzl says that it is designed for rock climbing, mountaineering, or via ferrata. Overall, Super Cams are a well made, quality, durable piece of equipment. Lead or top-rope belaying with the Giga Jul can be done in either assisted braking or manual mode. To be fair to Rab they do produce around 30 women’s fit insulated jackets Nov 1, 2024 · Searching for the best quickdraws for climbing? Our expert climbers have put over 35 different quickdraws to the test over the past 12 years, and this review features 14 of the best and most popular options you can purchase today. The Nov 3, 2022 · The Arc'teryx C-Quence is the best all-around harness because it earned excellent marks across all our testing metrics and is versatile enough for any style of climbing. Published: Aug 23, 2019 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 GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. Over months and sometimes years, we 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. Apr 8, 2022 · Climbing Gear Reviews says: April 8, 2022 at 15:58. Nov 21, 2024 · Whether you're searching for a new rope, a fresh pair of climbing shoes, or you want to update your belay device, we have in-depth reviews and gear round-ups to help you with your selections. 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. Our reviews are 100% unbiased. These four climbing whiz kids, in addition to nearly 10 other experts ranging from professional to hobbyist climbers, researched and tested these award-winning Apr 16, 2025 · From boulders to big walls, our roundup of climbing gear on the market has something for everyone. Editor's Note: We updated this review on August 20, 2024, to update photos and testing perspectives for 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. 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. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review Aug 16, 2020 · To research the best climbing harnesses for beginners, we read reviews from Alpinist, Outdoor Gear Lab, Gear Institute, Weigh My Rack, Epic TV, Adventure Junkies, Splitter Choss, and Rock and Ice (see Sources). Mountaineering Gear Reviews. A slider bar along the top of the device must be positioned all the way on either end, denoting either manual or assisted mode, and then the rope must be loaded into the device in the correct manner depending on the mode, which is different for each. If you're new to climbing and are looking for a more versatile rope, this shouldn't be your rope. That's our guarantee. Editor's Note: We updated our women's harness review on November 21, 2024. Overview; Compare; Buying Advice; How We Tested; The 3 Best Gaiters of 2025. Despite our praise for their performance, the wider-than-usual last for approach shoes means that the Mescalito Planet is best for users with average or wider-than-average fe May 2, 2025 · We've reviewed climbing ropes for sport and trad climbing, as well as climbing harnesses for men and women's climbing harnesses. We've even got a best-in-class review of ski pants and top yoga pants. Free Climbing, Aid climbing, Light and Fast Adventures. 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. As a sport climbing harness, the Selena gets the job done fairly well, but it isn't that breathable should you climb a lot in warm weather. Don't forget our comparative review of climbing helmets as well! Nov 18, 2016 · Hands-On Review Likes. If you are taking it on and off a lot it is faster than a screw lock. See it ranked against other top products in our review of climbing ropes. 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. Hi Jade. . . Dec 19, 2023 · The Scarpa Mescalito Planet excels on technical approaches and low 5th-class terrain, and features excellent construction quality for added reliability in remote terrain. The back gear loops are small and hard to reach, but you can fit at least six draws on both of the front gear loops, which is usually sufficient. The good news is that the device is so durable that you could possibly resell it for a decent amount of money. The Camp Air Harness has been replaced by the Camp Air CR EVO. From big wall gear like ascenders and haul bags to everyday necessities like rock climbing ropes and top-rated carabiners, we have you covered. 33 - 1 (black to red) and then I switch to the Black Diamond Camalot. And it's light enough to be a stealthy companion on long, remote missions. Don't let the overall “low” score fool Dec 5, 2023 · This is a review of mountaineering backpacks for technical alpine climbing. 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. But if you want to take your alpine climbing to new heights, the Beal Opera is a worthy investment. … May 21, 2024 · Like many pieces of specialty climbing gear, ascenders are expensive. The Camp Air That We Tested. Each product is extensively tested head-to-head against comparable products and rated on objective criteria by a qualified expert. 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. Similar to the Mad Pad layering, but thinner, the Recon has 2. 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. Our comprehensive reviews cover the best belay devices and climbing ropes, along with our top picks in women's harnesses. Related: Best Climbing Shoes for Women Dec 5, 2024 · The Neox might be the best belay device for lead climbing and single-pitch climbing, but the similar Petzl GriGri is more versatile and remains our favorite overall belay device for its versatility. This is due in large part to the fact that this device basically invented the active assisted braking market, and captured most of the share long before many other alternatives entered the ring. Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 22, 2025, to ensure our pricing was correct for our shoe lineup. 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 Oct 30, 2024 · The primary drawback is this rope's limited features, since you can't get it in a bi-pattern. May 5, 2025 · Whether you're seeking a fresh pair of climbing shoes, a top-rated climbing harness, or an extra set of climbing cams, our team of seasoned climbers can help you find the right gear. The the S/Lab Ultra 2 is also lighter than the previous model weighing in at 285g (290g for my size UK 8. We found it was a large improvement in terms of comfort over previous Arc'teryx harnesses, especially where the newly designed and shaped leg loops wrap around the insides of the legs. Related: Best Climbing Gear Feb 7, 2010 · This is the lightest cam we tested and maybe the lightest camming device currently made. Perfect for users with wider-than-average feet, these shoes can do it all, from 5th-class climbing to long approaches to aid climbing. Our current review features the 10 best camming devices found on climbers' racks today. This biner has lots of space for multiple knots or slings, making it great for bela Dec 27, 2023 · The Generator Mid is Scarpa's most recent attempt at creating a competitive, high-top trad climbing shoe, and we believe they have finally hit the mark. Once you get the hang of it, the ascender rarely catches before you get to full extension on the top ascender. Editor's Note: Our belay device review was updated on May 5, 2025, to share some tester experiences using these devices. Oct 27, 2022 · The Osprey Mutant 38 earns top marks again and retains our Editors' Choice Award. Features. Metolius Climbing color codes its cams to help you gauge the quality of a placement. The Small helmet fits a 48-56 cm range, and the Large a 56-62 cm range. Not the least or most expensive cam on the market. The Quicklock gate is a great belay and rappel locking carabiner because it is so, well, quick. Mar 13, 2023 · No matter your climbing style or budget, we've included a variety of models to fit most needs. They are also useful (although not as popular) for free climbing. 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. 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. Oct 10, 2019 · The interior has a removable insole and some nice microfibre lining in the heel. Rest assured, our commitment to providing honest and trustworthy information remains Dec 10, 2024 · Try out climbing for free at a participating gym, and if you like it, take advantage of these deals on our favorite climbing gear. 5" on the bottom. 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. Oct 30, 2024 · It isn't the best choice for a quiver-of-one rope, since it has limited usefulness for single-pitch climbing. One key benefit is after you’ve read a couple reviews you get a sense for Raf’s biases and preferences. 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. Jan 25, 2010 · Aliens excel at both granite (Yosemite) and sandstone (Zion) big walls where there are pin scars and other shallow placements. 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. Best Application. Jan 14, 2025 · Climbing Gear Reviews. We took to our local sport crags, famous multi-pitch destinations, and the big mountains to conduct our side-by-side tests. 5 on the trusty CGR scales). Many of these reviews are focused on gear for folks that have been climbing for a while, so we used our own judgment to find harnesses May 7, 2025 · November 29, 2024 Gear Reviews The Rab Evolute Hoody Review: A Highly Breathable Mid-Layer for Mountain Adventures The Rab Evolute Hoody is a versatile mid-layer that has garnered praise from outdoor enthusiasts for its blend of warmth, Our experts review a wide array of climbing gear, including gear used in trad climbing, sport climbing, and mountaineering. Rest assured, our commitment to providing honest and trustworthy information remains 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. 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. We made a note of whether a whole double rack plus water, a jacket, and shoes could fit in the gear loops, how easy or hard the gear was to clip or unclip from the loops, whether the haul loop was easy to clip and unclip, how easy the buckles adjusted and stayed locked in place, and many Dec 5, 2024 · Catch and Bite. What about best backpacks for women? Got you 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. They call it the Range Finder system. While we closely examine key performance metrics, we also take into consideration versatility and overall value. 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. It offers several features that many will see as improvements over the standard GriGri, including an anti-panic handle and two different modes for top-rope and lead belaying. Also, check out our curated list of climbing gear. Aug 6, 2024 · The Sama is a highly versatile harness that excels at any type of rock climbing. The Petzl GriGri+ adds security for beginner climbers with an “ anti-panic ” lever that stops the lowering mechanism if the lever is pulled too Sep 3, 2024 · The all new, super light harness from Arc’teryx fills a neat gap in the harness range. At GearLab, our readers are at the heart of everything we do. Larger than the 1 (red) is the 1. With 4" of foam, the Metolius Recon did not stand out for its cushioning abilities. Sep 30, 2010 · All that added beefiness added a bit of weight and these cams were among the heaviest that we tested. Aug 30, 2019 · Climbing Gear Reviews. Aug 20, 2024 · It only makes sense that we'd have in-depth reviews for the best climbing gear on the market. However, keep in mind that many people feel you should not resell used climbing gear. Ease of getting on and off the rope when passing pieces is good. 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 Jan 2, 2024 · A bargain price for a climbing shoe with respectable performance: A simple shoe with solid performance for trad climbing: A great deal for an adequate climbing shoe: This super comfy shoe is perfect for folks who are just starting to climb: This shoe isn't the highest performer in our review, but it's a bargain for someone looking to train in Oct 25, 2019 · The CAMP USA Storm features an EPS liner and a polycarbonate shell, and it weighs 8. We independently purchase all the products we test, ensuring that our reviews are unbiased and reliable. 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. Since RURPs often get fixed, the number two cable quickly breaks leaving a worthless steel-filled placement. Apr 22, 2025 · Climbing runs deep in GearLab's roots, and we've tested a lot of climbing gear over the years. This ascender excels in the most important category: sliding smoothly up the climbing rope. All reviews are incredibly subjective, so a good review site should be upfront about this, and Raf is. 3mm in diameter piece of climbing rope sewn into a sling. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. Aug 20, 2019 · The Beal Dynamic Sling is a 8. Value. We identified each feature on each harness and tested them conscientiously while out climbing. At first glance, the construction of the Generator may appear quite boot-like. It’s very alpine climbing/ice climbing focused though, so regular uses might find it hard to follow some of the jargon. 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. 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. I recommend the sizes . Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. 8mm, or . 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. Feb 2, 2018 · Padding Falls. drpmjwq zfcc hxmqbt lgzq rim xsjrjycy xvbh qyhrbdw qfrtbx qhkca