Climbing gear lab. It also has decent performance on steep ice.
Climbing gear lab. An internal rotating wheel reduces friction between the rope and the rope-pinching mechanism, making it easy to feed out slack to a leader without activating the assisted braking function. Sep 1, 2023 · For other climbing gear recommendations, check out our reviews of locking carabiners, our favorite climbing cams, ropes, and belay devices. Aug 24, 2011 · With more than 30 rock routes and unrivaled scenery, Avalanche Lake is one of the most spectacular backcountry climbing destinations in the Adirondack Park. We've seen the #chalkmatters all over our insta-feeds and the shiny Jan 25, 2010 · There are also Alien Super Long Units (SL's). This groove helps them excel at irregular rock types such as limestone and crystallized granite. New York's Thacher State Park may soon become one of the region's few large-scale sport climbing destinations. At the same The 7 Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024: Step into Comfort and Performance Climbing The 7 Best Climbing Shoes of 2024: Reach New Heights with Confidence and Precision How to Choose the Right Climbing Harness The 4 Best Climbing Backpacks: Carry Your Gear with Ease and Efficiency Biking Oct 30, 2024 · The Sterling Velocity Xeros 9. The Dynamic Sling has a far better ability to dynamically stretch when suddenly weighted. Size them bigger, and it's game for all-day multi-pitch action with plenty of stiffness and support for the long haul. It is one of most expensive belay devices in our review, but its Jun 11, 2010 · RURP stands for Realized Ultimate Reality Piton. We whittle down a very long list to a small group of promising contenders and then purchase each of them at full retail price. We hiked these pads to backcountry blocs, stacked them next to Jan 2, 2024 · Climbing shoes aren't cheap and dedicated climbers can wear through more than a few pairs a year. Aliens are most at home high up on El Cap, especially the offset sizes. The cost of all these shoes can quickly become significant. Ensuring you have the best down sleeping bag for your budget is a game changer. This harness excels at every style of rock climbing, nearly matching the top performers and doing so for less money May 5, 2021 · The Miura is a longstanding benchmark in the La Sportiva climbing shoe arsenal, on the market for more than two decades but still holding its own against newer modern designs. The Instinct is able to do both — making it a great shoe for technical, yet slightly steep climbing. Enter the La Sportiva Finale. Our testers also enjoyed using the Drop Zone at the start of bigger problems. We continuously make notes about comfort, ventilation, weight, adjustability, features, and durability. This sublime pass is popular among hikers, and climbing Jun 13, 2025 · Climbers for Palestine is raising funds to support Palestinian rights and West Bank climbers through the 2025 Climb the Wall climb-a-thon. The two main benefits of a supergaiter boot are warmth and protection from foul weather, and this boot delivers on those metrics. Their super narrow heads fit into small pockets and holes found in places like Eldorado Canyon or the Gunks. The mesh waistband and leg loops move freely with the user and are barely noticeable while standing, walking, or climbing. It feeds slack with ease, securely catches lead falls, and securely auto-blocks when belaying a follower from above on multi-pitch routes. Jul 23, 2024 · Climbing Ability The Vertex Alpine has surprisingly good climbing ability, considering that it is designed primarily as a running shoe. We supplemented this field testing with controlled experiments for weather protection, weight, and breathability. This is the story of its rise, fall, and unlikely rebirth. It has plenty of room on its gear loops for long multi-pitch and trad climbs, as well as a comfortable waist and leg loop construction. Jan 2, 2024 · The Scarpa Chimera is a premium climbing shoe designed for modern boulder problems and steep routes. Mar 13, 2015 · It shares our commitment to side-by-side comparison reviews, and use the same underlying technology platform. May 30, 2012 · Getting to High Exposure is not an easy thing. This is invaluable for safety May 21, 2025 · Testing took place while climbing, skiing, and ice climbing in Colorado's San Juans, the Columbia Mountains of British Columbia, and California's High Sierra. May 24, 2020 · The Alien Revolution excel on granite, whether you're aid or free climbing. While it isn't our favorite crash pad we tested, it is very light for its surface area and did perform well on smaller problems. The Firefly II is lightweight and has snappy gate action, but the carabiners are on the small side and the narrow Jan 28, 2022 · He regularly uses ice axes while climbing up steep couloirs with skis strapped to his back, and while tackling more mellow mountaineering objectives. 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. The combination produces an outstanding value. Editor's Note: Our women's approach shoe review was updated on April 29, 2025, to remove some Black Diamond models from our lineup. Jul 16, 2019 · The Black Diamond Drop Zone is a mid-sized crash pad that utilizes a taco style closure. Our team of climbing experts Aug 20, 2019 · The Beal Dynamic Sling is a 8. It's hands down the most expensive brand of chalk we tested. Having two buckles on the waist instead of only one means that it is easy to keep the Nov 21, 2019 · We found the Instincts to be a nice middle ground between a flat, stiff shoe ideal for vertical climbing and an aggressively downturned, softer shoe for the steeps. The sole is comfortably cushioned, and the laces May 4, 2025 · We tested 10 different kinds of climbing chalk from Black Diamond, Metolius, Trango, Friction Labs, and others to help you find the best Aug 7, 2024 · The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is a minimalist harness for technical climbing that performs well across the board, easily earning it a spot as our favorite lightweight harness. This handy flap lets you stash more gear in your pad and keeps things you've stuffed between the layers from falling out. We love the Scarpa Booster for their balance between comfort and precision. Oct 31, 2024 · Our climbing experts have been testing the best climbing nuts and stoppers for over 10 years and over 15 different sets. Cracks are an unusual application for a Scarpa Drago. The durable Cordura outer, paired with industry-leading foam on the Jul 5, 2023 · A gear loop is a small, non-load-bearing loop used to carry climbing gear such as carabiners, quickdraws, cams, nuts, cordelette, and slings. That lead opened up the imagination of hard climbers for long, sustained and scary thing crack lines. Many of the models tested have the same name as versions we've tested in the past, although the manufacturers have updated them. Sure, the 20-minute stroll along the Gunks' tree-lined Carriage Road is mellow: perfectly flat with views of the Hudson River Valley to your right, and the delicious Trapps cliffline on your left. Jan 2, 2024 · Nevertheless, if you're interested in these shoes for their sensitivity and steep climbing prowess, you probably shouldn't be using them for crack climbing. Whether you're sport climbing or mountaineering, we have you covered. Their flexibility makes them an excellent piece for pockets and pin scars. May 16, 2017 · Amazing views, good gear, thoughtful 5. 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. Our climbing experts have tested more than 40 bouldering crash pads over the last decade, with the 11 top models tested side-by-side in this review. In the past few years, we tested at many cool climbing areas, including Smith Rock, Leonidio, Chulilla Locally-owned store offering new and used outdoor gear and apparel for men, women and kids. 75". Other Versions and Accessories CCH Hybrid Alien Cost - $68 Offset sized cam lobes Excellent in pin scars and Dec 20, 2023 · The Organic Simple Pad has long been one of the most popular crash pads on the market. Dec 5, 2024 · The Petzl GriGri is an active assisted-braking device that performs well in every belaying and lowering task, earning our highest honor as the best belay device on the market. In this update, we purchased 7 of the best sets and slid them into cracks of all sizes across the United States. His commitment to in-depth research and heavy testing is what makes this review the best that you'll find on the internet. Weighing in at 2. They stick to the exact same color scheme as Black Diamond cams, which is likely the most familiar cam color scheme in the world, so not only do they mesh seamlessly with those cams, but don't require learning a new scheme. A bouldering crash pad provides a soft spot to land to help reduce injury so you can climb more safely. The La Sportiva Tarantula is our Best Buy winner at only $90 and will get the job done. We've all seen Friction Labs' ubiquitous marketing campaigns with athletes from every tear of the sport hawking this magic white dust in return for free chalk. Enter the softshell jacket. I would never carry these on a wall because they reduce your reach by . Today, they are very rarely used because Tomahawks and Peckers work so much better in most cases. Aug 7, 2024 · The rear gear loops hold about six carabiners each, which is plenty for carrying some extra draws up those long, rope-stretching pitches or a personal anchor lanyard for cleaning routes with ring anchors. Shoes with stiffer lasts better hold their own on techy granite edges. They were the original thin piton for micro cracks. S. These shoes are available at an affordable price and come equipped with a generous 5 millimeters of Vibram XS Edge rubber for enhanced durability. Dec 5, 2024 · The Edelrid Mega Jul is a passive assisted braking belay device, which means it can be used as both a traditional tube device and an assisted braking device when belaying the leader. 9 climbing, and 5. Unlike many other review sites, we then purchased the top shoes we selected to undergo full hands-on testing. The big toe edging area has thick rubber and a soft platform, making edging on small holds a dicey proposition. Apr 12, 2015 · If you are an alpine rock or ice climber and want the lightest harness that still has gear loops and some support, it is hard to beat this one. The Vibram sole is sticky and Testing climbing helmets involves lots and lots of climbing. This is a redesign of the popular blue and yellow Jan 14, 2025 · Our testers hiked for miles in gaiters from Rab, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, and more to determine which pairs are the best Mar 29, 2019 · Friction Labs Gorilla Grip is good stuff, providing an additive free, consistently textured product. If you don't mind a slightly heavier harness that is also more expensive, check out the or the Black Diamond Ozone. 8 is a durable and smooth rope that makes a perfect workhorse for heavy use. Is there anything more useful than a backpack? Find your perfect companion for hiking, climbing, travel, hydration, and so much more. The sheath feels great in the hand, and it's easy to pull this rope through belay devices. It comes fully loaded with two huge gear loops on each side, a haul loop, and two ice clipper slots May 2, 2021 · The Scarpa Vapor V is a workhorse. Mountaineering Gear Reviews We tested the latest and the greatest from Black Diamond, La Sportiva, Garmin, MSR, Gregory and The North Face. We hardly encountered any wear and tear during our test, thanks to the rope's high diameter. Mar 23, 2023 · An incomplete list of classic routes climbed by our sport's wealthiest (at least until he gave his fortune away) dirtbag. It has plenty of gear storage on its five outdoor Gear Lab’s top 6 climbing harnesses sorted by climbing discipline. We found that this shoe performed equally well on crack climbs as it did on steep boulders and sport climbs. They are Whether you're hiking, running, climbing, or lifting weights at the gym, GearLab has got you supported and comfortable. On the heavy side Dec 5, 2024 · The Edelrid Giga Jul combines assisted braking, standard tube-style use ("manual" mode), and auto-blocking all in one single device. Boots vary significantly in weight, warmth, support, and function. Their Metolious Magnum offers a very attractive alternative to the traditional bi-folding pad. It is a specialty harness; you won't wear it to the gym or cragging. Boots not only connect your feet to the terrain but keep you protected from the elements. It's an ideal device for belaying both leaders and top-ropers, either sport or Mar 24, 2025 · We tested the 17 best trekking poles from Black Diamond, MSR, Leki, REI, and more to help you find your perfect pair. 14 exposure: One of the least-climbed Gunks routes is also one of the most classic. All of these modes allows for a nearly endless number of options when lead belaying, belaying the second, or rappelling, making this the most versatile device we have used. Size these shoes tight, and they edge well enough to excel at bouldering and sport climbing. The “ 4 Slide ” part of its name refers to the four sliding buckles that allow for the maximum adjustment, including two on the waist belt. We really appreciated the sensitivity and softness of the Chimera, as the shape and thinness of the rubber allowed us to wrap our feet around holds like an Best Rock Climbing Shoes for Kids Looking for the best pair of rock climbing shoes for your kids? Our climbing gear experts researched over 30 models 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. This means that belayers are much Nov 1, 2024 · Cypher is a small climbing company based in Utah with a handful of offerings, including quickdraws, shoes, and chalk bags. The Drop Zone is Black Diamond's only taco style pad in their lineup. Sep 24, 2018 · Northeast climbers rejoice. When you are in the mountains, the right gear is often the difference between a sufferfest and something you'd like to do again. We examined sales at online retailers, perused customer comments, and read formal reviews from our competitors to select the top 27 models that are currently available. Nov 27, 2017 · Panther Gorge is a hidden trad climbing gem surrounded by New York's highest peaks, and the 8-mile approach keeps the crowds away. If your goal is steep climbing where you need to stand on vague features and pull on slopey holds, this is the shoe you want on your feet. They have a time-tested design and come in a variety of sizes. 3mm in diameter piece of climbing rope sewn into a sling. Mar 29, 2016 · The Gunks (short for Shawangunks) is one of America’s premier climbing areas, famous for some of the best moderate trad in the country. We know one person that owns this shoe in three sizes: tight for hard climbing, bigger for multi-pitch free climbing, and roomy for El Cap in a day When we go climbing at our favorite crag, we tend to only utilize our approach shoes for hiking to and from the base of the climb, put our climbing shoes on to climb, and leave our approach shoes at the base. Nov 12, 2019 · Petzl says that it is designed for rock climbing, mountaineering, or via ferrata. P. To evaluate packability, we packed each bag with a standard assortment of gear that the average climber would want at the crag. Mar 14, 2022 · Brooklyn Boulders Gowanus, once New York's preeminent climbing gym, has been sold. . Aug 6, 2024 · The Petzl Sama boasts comfort, good features, and versatility, all for a low price, proving itself to be the best value in a climbing harness. GearLab was originally formed as the gear review section on SuperTopo, which provides climbing guidebooks and web information to the rock climbing community. It's 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. Dec 14, 2023 · We tested climbing harnesses for kids from Petzl, Black Diamond, Trango, and more to find the right fit for your child May 6, 2025 · We bought the nine best carabiners and tested them side by side on alpine peaks, sport crags, and stellar multi-pitch climbs. These six came out on top. We used each while ascending wind-blown alpine Dec 5, 2024 · The Petzl Neox easily feeds slack while lead belaying, and also provides a secure catch, making it our favorite belay device for belaying a leader and single-pitch climbing. Sep 14, 2022 · The La Sportiva G5 Evo is an almost perfect mountain boot for cold weather ascents. But they might be helpful in certain free climbing applications and I assume that is why they released this size. Dec 20, 2023 · Packing Gear What sets the Organic Full apart is the inclusion of a handy 24-inch by 15-inch pocket flap. It has a similar construction to other popular helmets on the market, but with a Dec 5, 2024 · The Petzl GriGri+ is an active assisted-braking belay device. It also allows rappelling in both standard and auto-blocking modes. If you are the kind of climber Sep 14, 2022 · The Lowa Alpine Ice GTX is a no-nonsense cold weather mountaineering boot. Unless you're exclusively crack climbing or tackling long multi-pitch routes, the Solution Oct 25, 2019 · The CAMP USA Storm is a good lightweight EPS/polycarbonate helmet. We tested each through a wide range of fissures, scar pins, parallel-sided cracks, around blocks, and the like. A two-hour approach through lush forest and along cold, clear streams will deposit you at the northern end of the lake, where sheer walls of anorthosite plunge to the water’s edge. This pad makes great supplemental May 5, 2021 · The Skwama is a great addition to the La Sportiva lineup, with a single Velcro strap for easy on and off, a super soft midsole, and a glove-like fit. We think they are Apr 14, 2010 · The Black Diamond Peckers are designed for thin cracks on big wall and aid climbs. We top rope, clip bolts, place gear, venture in the alpine, and hand these helmets off to clients while guiding. On multi-pitch missions, though, we often bring our approach shoes up the route with us so that we can descend a different way. This article will help guide you towards a boot Aug 12, 2024 · Free Climbing The Dragonflies are awesome for free climbing. As far Packability This metric encompasses pack volume and how well each bag can be compressed when loaded with a rope and basic climbing gear. Gear loops aren’t included on all climbing harnesses but are a must-have for any outdoor lead harness. 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. Aug 1, 2024 · For GP81, NYC's only independent climbing gym, surviving in an increasingly expensive Brooklyn has meant leaning on its community. But for traveling ultra-light in the mountains, it is hard to beat. Mar 29, 2016 · The Gunks (short for Shawangunks) is one of America’s premier climbing areas, famous for some of the best moderate trad in the country. It has an anti-panic handle that locks the cam when it's pulled back too hard, adding an extra level of safety while lowering. Jun 2, 2025 · Fans of year-round adventure activities like hiking, climbing, running, or skiing are always on the hunt for the unicorn of all layers: breathable weather protection. Although you won't find the highest level of weather resistance in a softshell, it can be enough to keep you dry during short spells of rain, and I find them infinitely more comfortable once the sweat Dec 19, 2023 · The Scarpa Mescalito Planet emerged from our testing as our favorite approach shoe for wider feet. However, it's among the heaviest boots in the review, and its old-fashioned lacing system divided our testers, some of whom preferred the newer Jun 5, 2017 · Best High Sierra Climbing Rack Best Yosemite Climbing Rack Best Yosemite Big Wall Climbing Rack We list top choice first followed sometimes by the Best Buy (BB) choice> For example, the La Sportiva TC Pro is our top Yosemite shoe choice but costs $170. Today's mountaineers have an exciting yet confusing array of options to pick from. Aug 17, 2017 · Scarpa Instinct VS Review This shoe is geared for hard bouldering and sport climbing, but lacks the sensitivity of our Editors' Choice winner Price: $209 List Manufacturer: Scarpa By Matt Bento ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ August 17, 2017 We have been testing and reviewing climbing harnesses at GearLab for more than a decade. It features a clever velcro closure system that quickly locks most foot shapes into a powerful position. P. Jan 27, 2021 · The lightweight Black Diamond Impact is a simple, bare-bones crash pad with adequate suspension and quality foam. Jan 28, 2025 · Five gear nerds tested 31 ice climbing products, from carbon-fiber ice tools to top-of-the-line apparel. From the top harnesses and belay devices to the best-rated ropes, we've got the scoop on the market's best gear. It also has decent performance on steep ice. Jun 15, 2020 · The much anticipated Black Diamond Camalot Z4 were released in the spring of 2020 with quite a lot of hype, and they don't disappoint. They're producing some budget-friendly quickdraws, so we thought we take a look at their Firefly II, which retails for less than any other draw we've tested. The Miura's terrain recommendations — gently overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing, and technical face climbing — haven't prevented it from becoming a staple for several big names sending big, varied Nov 18, 2016 · This Ascension Ascender from Petzl is lightweight, slides up the rope easily, and works on icy ropes. It can be used for all climbing functions on a single rope, including lead belaying, top rope belaying, and single-strand rappelling. Apr 2, 2019 · Mountaineering boots are possibly the single most important piece of gear you will bring into the mountains. These were used here and there until Charlie Porter place 30+ in a row on The Shield. The vacuum-like seal of the S-heel makes for an excellent fit with zero dead space. The aggressive downturn shape is well-suited to single pitch climbing and bouldering of just about any style or rock type. It has many sheath color and middle mark options, as well as a great dry treatment. His expertise and nerdy gear obsession are unrivaled in the field. 3 ounces, it's also light and affordable May 22, 2025 · We've tested dozens of the best gloves for every outdoor activity, from hiking to skiing to yard work, and including top brands like REI Co-op, Carhartt Nov 12, 2019 · The Mammut Ophir 4 Slide harness is a comfortable and heavily featured choice that is versatile for all styles of climbing while also having an affordable price tag. The rock climbing shoe review began like any other review at OutdoorGearLab, with extensive online research. Nov 21, 2024 · We tested climbing hangboards from Tension, So iLL, Trango, and more to find the best products for your training needs Apr 29, 2025 · Whatever climbing gear you need to round out your collection, chances are good that we've tested it. Jun 5, 2025 · We found the best climbing harnesses of 2025. Dec 20, 2023 · Metolius is a small American climbing company from Oregon, and they've been churning out high-quality, innovative climbing products for decades. The model we tested initially felt too tight for May 3, 2021 · The La Sportiva Solution is a deservedly popular, premium rock climbing shoe. These shoes seriously impressed us with their excellent climbing ability, hiking comfort, durability, and overall support. We've also put best men's climbing harnesses and women's climbing harnesses to the test, as well as the top-rated men's climbing shoes and women's climbing shoes, to discover the best products on the market. A secure heel cup and snug fit throughout the arch provide good feel, while the toe box is a bit wide and imprecise. A precise toe and stiff construction combine for a technical climbing prowess on par with low-performance climbing shoes. We test harnesses pretty much year-round on all of our climbing adventures. It provides considerable bite for catching lead falls, and it locks off by itself when your partner needs to rest, just like active-assisted brake devices. It's one of our favorite boots for climbing ice, snow, and rock. If you are a rock climber, check out our climbing site, SuperTopo. The steep downturn and velcro closure system is much better suited for face climbs. May 2, 2025 · Falling is a part of bouldering, and you want to have a supportive landing. However, the gear loops don't have enough room for a full trad rack and slings for harder trad climbing. Not sure what he climbs? Petzl Sama. 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. Switching between the Jun 4, 2024 · The result is a high-performance climbing shoe specifically designed for climbing steep or overhanging boulders and sport climbs.