Climbing gear lab. See full list on outdoorgearlab.

Climbing gear lab. com Jun 5, 2025 · We found the best climbing harnesses of 2025. Editor's Note: We updated our nut tool article on May 19, 2023, to ensure product availability and correct pricing. From big wall gear like ascenders and haul bags to everyday necessities like rock climbing ropes and top-rated carabiners, we have you covered. He regularly uses ice axes while climbing up steep couloirs with skis strapped to his back, and while tackling more mellow mountaineering objectives. 5 Crag Classic. The weight is repeatedly dropped from a height of 2. May 21, 2024 · Like many pieces of specialty climbing gear, ascenders are expensive. Jan 28, 2022 · Ian is an IMFGA guide (the best there is) and guides snowy mountain summits and descents in Alaska, Washington, and California. At A Glance. Oct 30, 2024 · It's basically the same rope, but made from recycled sheath fibers, and each individual rope is a different color. Our comprehensive reviews cover the best belay devices and climbing ropes, along with our top picks in women's harnesses. See full list on outdoorgearlab. These four climbing whiz kids, in addition to nearly 10 other experts ranging from professional to hobbyist climbers, researched and tested these award-winning Our outstanding testers went on hundreds of adventures in all kinds of weather to help you find the perfect rain, climbing, and hiking pants. In this update, we purchased 7 of the best sets and slid them into cracks of all sizes across the United States. Nov 21, 2024 · Extra gear loop, ice clipper tool slots, lightweight for a trad harness: Versatile for all types of climbing, unrestricted mobility, rigid front loops and soft rear gear loops: Comfortable if you like to wear your harness on your hips: Extremely lightweight, packs down small, durable: Lightweight, packs down small, breathable material Oct 31, 2024 · Our climbing experts have been testing the best climbing nuts and stoppers for over 10 years and over 15 different sets. Sep 8, 2023 · Climbing-specific packs should ride high on your back to prevent them from obstructing access to the back of your harness. Nov 1, 2024 · They can also be used while traditional climbing, ice climbing, or multi-pitch climbing for clipping the rope to protection or extending protection pieces, although shoulder-length climbing slings, also known as “alpine quickdraws,” are more common for this purpose. It has an excellent suspension for heavier loads and logical and useful climbing features for technical pitches. Oct 30, 2024 · Fall Rating. Dec 27, 2023 · But after only a short break-in period, the Generator was sensitive yet very supportive – perfect for long days of standing on granite smears while fiddling with small gear. . Feb 11, 2025 · Earning our highest praise for climbing ability, we find the La Sportiva TX Guide to be the best shoe for smearing, edging, and crack climbing due to its precise, narrow fit and stiff midsole. Black Diamond's QC Lab tests the ultimate strength of climbing gear, comparing old and new equipment to ensure safety and performance. 3 meters and takes a 4. GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. This info comes at the expense of lots of rope-stretching falls by our expert gear testers, who certainly aren't shy about taking the whip. 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 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. Dec 19, 2023 · Sport climbing is the style of climbing where fixed bolts are clipped for protection. Apr 22, 2025 · Climbing runs deep in GearLab's roots, and we've tested a lot of climbing gear over the years. This is a pack that can morph from a gear-hauling beast to a light and nimble summit pack in mere moments. Black Diamond Hydra Ice Tool ($310) Scarpa Phantom Tech HD ($899) Trango Kestrel Ice Tool ($500) Patagonia M10 Hardshell Pants ($279) Petzl Sitta Harness ($175) Blue Ice Harfang Tech Crampons ($230) How to Choose Ice Climbing Gear; How We Test; Meet Our Testers Apr 10, 2025 · A solid pair of everyday pants that are also good for hiking or climbing: This comfortable, well-ventilated pair of pants comes with a full complement of features: A hardy model that easily crosses over into multiple outdoor recreational activities like climbing due to their relaxed fit and stretchy material Aug 20, 2024 · It only makes sense that we'd have in-depth reviews for the best climbing gear on the market. While we closely examine key performance metrics, we also take into consideration versatility and overall value. Spoiler alert, I was not disappointed. Top-roping, while possible regardless of what sort of protection was used to lead the pitch, generally has the same needs from a harness as sport climbing. 77-factor fall. Apr 8, 2022 · I reviewed Rab’s previous synthetic belay jacket the Photon X back in 2019 and gave it 5 stars so the Generator Alpine had a lot to live up to. Choosing the right locking carabiner starts by assessing the particular situations where you expect to use it, and then narrowing the search based upon the attributes that will lead to the best performance Jan 28, 2025 · Those are the pieces below: the best new ice climbing gear for 2025. The Best in Climbing Our experts review a wide array of climbing gear, including gear used in trad climbing, sport climbing, and mountaineering. Each product is extensively tested head-to-head against comparable products and rated on objective criteria by a qualified expert. 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. Our favorite rock climbing rope is the Mammut 9. May 19, 2023 · At GearLab, we've tested a wide variety of climbing gear over the past decade+ and have recommendations for every climber, from beginner to expert. Editor's Note: We updated this review on April 22, 2025, to ensure our pricing was correct for our shoe lineup. 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. This versatile 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. 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. His expertise and nerdy gear obsession are unrivaled in the field. 6-meter fall, creating a harsh, 1. Seldom is something as annoying as a backpack that doesn't carry right. This test uses an 80 kg (176 lbs) weight attached to a 2. All of the contenders in our test have slightly different back lengths and shapes. Whether you're sport climbing or mountaineering, we have you covered. 6-meter length of rope. 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 Dec 27, 2023 · But after only a short break-in period, the Generator was sensitive yet very supportive – perfect for long days of standing on granite smears while fiddling with small gear. Dec 5, 2023 · This pack seems to get better with every mutation, with improvements to utility, versatility, durability, and climbing comfort. Gym climbing is sport climbing indoors, as bolts are the form of protection used in the gym. Climbing Gear Reviews From climbing shoes to helmets, our climbing experts test the best from Petzl, Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. Editor's Note: We updated this review on August 20, 2024, to update photos and testing perspectives for 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. If you want a similarly versatile climbing rope that also weighs less for alpine climbing, the Sterling Aero 9. In this shoe, we can confidently push on small edges, smear on scary slabs, and jam into cracks without fear of popping off the rock. The shoe features a slightly wider fit, which makes it more comfortable for jamming into painful cracks on Lumpy Ridge classics or hanging out at a belay ledge. May 7, 2025 · Climbing gear companies manufacture all sorts of locking carabiners, most of which are designed with a certain purpose or function in mind. There ha… 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 Apr 4, 2025 · We took to our local sport crags, famous multi-pitch destinations, and the big mountains to conduct our side-by-side tests. At the same time, a climbing pack shouldn't be positioned too high because your helmet will hit it every time you look up. 2 Xeros is the most versatile rope out there. oowhjc fvfid prmyoy xqbs xiwkbfy vbtlpgk wcvodzmc hjst uzg anypru