Gearlab climbing See full list on outdoorgearlab. Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. Aug 20, 2024 · We offer you personal recommendations for all-day belaying, big wall rappelling, and crack climbing, and are sure that our comprehensive review includes a climbing glove to fit your needs and budget. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review At GearLab, our readers are at the heart of everything we do. Having good quality climbing gear is important for safety and success. The best thing we can do is understand what metrics we prioritize. May 7, 2025 · Why Trust GearLab. She is a former member of the U. These shoes don Used climbing shoes for adults and kids. . 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 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. Jan 2, 2024 · As with any jack-of-all-trades, the TC Pro falls behind some specialized shoes in their respective niches. Editor's Note: Our belay device review was updated on May 5, 2025, to share some tester experiences using these devices. Did you know that GearLab started out as an offshoot of the acclaimed climber's resource, SuperTopo? 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. Features. These shoes don Jun 10, 2020 · Think alpine climbing, multi-pitch routes, anywhere where there is loose rock, when you are climbing below others, ice climbing, or just hanging out at the base of a crag. Testing the Edelrid Salathe in the Lower Gorge at Smith Rock, a great trad climbing venue. We independently purchase all the products we test, ensuring that our reviews are unbiased and reliable. Jeff leads climbing, skiing, and trekking trips around the world, from his home near Ouray, Colorado, to the Alps, Andes, and beyond. See how it measures up versus the competition in our best climbing shoes review. The only thing it's not good for is trad climbing because the gear loops are too small (yes even on the solution guide). Mar 13, 2015 · P. During testing, we use them the same way that you will. Andy has been climbing for over 23 years and considers himself a jack of all trades. Jan 28, 2025 · Corey is a freelance writer and editor based in Boulder, CO. They call it the Range Finder system. Dec 20, 2024 · We consider the Black Diamond Vision Mips the best climbing helmet on the market today. If you are a rock climber, check out our climbing site, SuperTopo. GearLab was originally formed as the gear review section on SuperTopo, which provides climbing guidebooks and web information to the rock climbing community. S. May 29, 2018 · Headlamps get better each year, and that means yesterday's low-end lights may offer enough firepower now to meet your needs. May 21, 2025 · Jeff was assisted by GearLab testers Jack Cramer and Andy Wellman. At first glance, the construction of the Generator may appear quite boot-like. Mar 13, 2023 · Our testing team tried to evaluate climbing performance as objectively as possible by climbing with the boots in three different media: water ice, mixed/dry tooling, and rock climbing without crampons. Andy has traveled the world in search of climbing adventures and continues to do so. 719-239-7860 The Black Diamond Solution is one of the most comfortable sport climbing harnesses you can buy. The wide-ish fit in the toe doesn't cram into smaller pockets like the pointy Tenaya Tarifa, but they are much stiffer than the Tarifa, and our testers found them better for standing on the edges of the vertical pocketed limestone of Wild Iris. May 24, 2020 · The softer metal detracts from the durability of these cams but gives us some added confidence as these cams seem to bite into the rock and hold under weird bodyweight placements. We scoured the market for the best climbing draws before purchasing 14 different draws for this test. See it ranked against other top products in our review of climbing ropes. Our review process always starts with research. She is a volunteer climbing instructor at The Ice Coop, Colorado’s only dedicated ice-climbing gym, where she does much of her training. com Mar 10, 2025 · The La Sportiva Tarantulace ($89) has been one of the top-selling climbing shoes on the market for decades. May 13, 2025 · Our climbing fanatic found the best climbing pants of 2025. The Petzl Gully thoroughly impressed us as it was under 10 ounces (9. Used climbing shoes for adults and kids. 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. Nov 21, 2024 · At Outdoor GearLab, we've been reviewing women's climbing harnesses for seven years and have tested over 20 models. I've gone from the backcountry trails and snowy peaks of Colorado to remote crags and glacial valleys of the Sierra Nevada to assess weather protection, breathability, mobility, and versatility. Dec 19, 2023 · Features of a Climbing Harness. Related: Best Climbing Gear Dec 10, 2024 · A harness is an essential part of every climber’s kit, and we've identified the best climbing harnesses for every kind of climber. A standout candidate is the Petzl Tikkina, which offers more than enough lighting power for most people's needs, is super easy, and is typically sold at a compelling street price around $16. Whether heading to the gym or hitting up your local crag, we've got you covered. P. May 5, 2021 · Used by many big names in climbing, it excels at both sport climbs and long trad routes: 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 May 2, 2015 · As a fairly new rock climbing shoe company, Tenaya comes out swinging with the world's hardest/first 5. Mar 10, 2025 · The La Sportiva Tarantulace ($89) has been one of the top-selling climbing shoes on the market for decades. 3mm in diameter piece of climbing rope sewn into a sling. The primary drawback is this rope's limited features, since you can't get it in a bi-pattern. The May 21, 2024 · We tested each of these ascenders while climbing thousands of vertical feet of rock on famous routes like The Nose on El Capitan in Yosemite and Moonlight Buttress in Zion. Balance and compromise are inherent requirements of this piece of gear to best serve our needs. Jul 5, 2023 · At $75, the Black Diamond Solution is just $10 more than its beginner-focused cousin the Momentum, but if you’re looking specifically for a sport climbing harness or top roping harness, it’s a far superior product in most respects. Andy completes the team, bringing extensive outdoor experience of all kinds, from alpine climbing to bouldering to writing guidebooks. If you break a lace, relacing them is a major project. While it may be tempting to geek out on these numbers, we recommend selecting a rope based on diameter, length, and other features rather than UIAA Apr 4, 2025 · At GearLab, our roots are in rock climbing, as the website started as an offshoot of SuperTopo. He wears out gear faster than anyone we know and puts equipment through the wringer in his day-to-day mountain adventures. 719-239-7860 Essentials for climbing including carabiners, chalk, bags and tape. Sunday: 12PM - 5PM. Apr 10, 2025 · The GearLab team has been testing softshell jackets since 2011; in that time, we've collectively worn over 150 different models. Ice Climbing Team and has climbed up to WI5 and M12- around the Colorado Rockies. Many new climbers are drawn to the Tarantulace — and for good reason. 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. Metolius Climbing color codes its cams to help you gauge the quality of a placement. Seldom is something as annoying as a backpack that doesn't carry right. We top rope, clip bolts, place gear, venture in the alpine, and hand these helmets off to clients while guiding. 8 to be exact) but still offered an impressive amount of performance. In this update, we purchased 7 of the best sets and slid them into cracks of all sizes across the United States. 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. 719-239-7860 May 6, 2025 · Why Trust GearLab. Our current review features the 10 best camming devices Oct 30, 2024 · If you want a similarly versatile climbing rope that also weighs less for alpine climbing, the Sterling Aero 9. Our carabiner testing is divided across five rating metrics: Clipping (25% of overall score weighting) Unclipping (20% weighting) Weight (20% weighting) Gate Clearance (20% weighting) Handling (15% weighting) Why Trust GearLab Apr 18, 2010 · I really recommend climbing around on them a lot and erring on the side of too small. CLOSED MONDAY. 15a flash by Alex Megos in the Oasi! GearLab is reader 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. That said, Petzl now makes the Caritool EVO ice tool clippers , which work with this harness by attaching to the entire waist belt, rather than needing specific slots. 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 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. 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 Jan 28, 2022 · While the Gully isn't an exceptional all-arounder, it excels at a surprising number of things and is perfect for alpine rock climbing, ski-mountaineering, or alpine ice climbing alike. Traveling and climbing mountains for years, our team of experts has used and abused a lot of packs. 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. They don't edge all that well and over time, they tend to get a little sloppy. Our lead tester is Matt Bento, a climber for over a decade. Dec 5, 2023 · Why Trust GearLab We poured hours of research into our selection process for these packs, choosing the most promising models to purchase at retail price and put to the test . One tester says, “It's the most comfortable climbing helmet I've ever worn. Andy Wellman, a senior gear reviewer for the past eight years, is the expert tester who leads this review. Feb 7, 2010 · This is the lightest cam we tested and maybe the lightest camming device currently made. The Alien Revolution excel on granite, whether you're aid or free climbing. It doesn't excel in the steep and gymnastic world of high-end sport climbing or bouldering but is an ideal choice for almost any type of trad climbing. Testing climbing helmets involves lots and lots of climbing. May 4, 2025 · Our testing of climbing chalk is divided across four rating metrics: Friction & Overall Feel (25% of overall score weighting) Coverage (25% weighting) Mess (25% weighting) Value (25% weighting) Why Trust GearLab. GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. Rest assured, our commitment to providing honest and trustworthy information remains Essentials for climbing including carabiners, chalk, bags and tape. Oct 27, 2022 · The Osprey Mutant 38 earns top marks again and retains our Editors' Choice Award. For over a decade, our team of experts has been testing the latest and greatest climbing gear on the market. A good edging shoe also does a great job toeing into the lip of a pocket, and the Scarpa Instinct is no exception. 8 is the best workhorse rope out there. 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. Rest assured, our commitment to providing honest and trustworthy information remains Features. By clicking on our links, you can support our testing work as we may earn a commission. At GearLab, our readers are at the heart of everything we do. 2 Xeros is the most versatile rope out there. Nov 1, 2024 · Why Trust GearLab. 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. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. Splitboard climbing skins meant, first and foremost, to grip and glide; what sets them apart is the balance and details. Our lead tester is IFMGA Mountain Guide Jeff Dobronyi. 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. 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. If you combine these with the Metolius FS Mini carabiners or CAMP Nano 22, you will have the lightest possible climbing rack. 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. Aug 6, 2024 · Like other rock-specific climbing harnesses, the Sama lacks versatility for ice and mixed climbing due to its fixed, non-adjustable leg loops and lack of ice clipper slots. Whether you're learning to belay in the gym or preparing to Aug 20, 2019 · The Beal Dynamic Sling is a 8. Aug 7, 2024 · The Black Diamond Solution is one of the most comfortable harnesses we have ever worn. ” The addition of the Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) harness – technology that is now standard in both bike and ski helmets – reportedly reduces the chances of concussion by deflecting certain impacts and Our outstanding testers went on hundreds of adventures in all kinds of weather to help you find the perfect rain, climbing, and hiking pants. Tue - Sat: 10AM - 6PM. We've climbed big walls, topped out highballs, and spent multiple days on an alpine wall to push the gear to its limit. You can usually find them on sale for 25% off. Oct 31, 2024 · Our climbing experts have been testing the best climbing nuts and stoppers for over 10 years and over 15 different sets. May 6, 2025 · The result is the most authentic, continually updated climbing carabiner recommendations you will find. And if you are looking for something even more durable, the Sterling Velocity XEROS 9. Jack is a National Outdoor Leadership School alumnus and climber whose resume includes more than a dozen alpine first ascents. We used them on fast-and-free ascents, on multi-day big wall sieges, practicing our systems at our local crags, and even to help develop new climbing routes. Since our harness ratings are especially heavy on comfort — accounting for 55% of a product's final score if you combine comfort while standing, hanging, and belaying — it is no surprise that the Solution is among the highest-scoring harnesses in our review. We continuously make notes about comfort, ventilation, weight, adjustability, features, and durability. Oct 30, 2024 · Any rope sold for climbing should be approved by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) and include on the packaging the scores measured for each of the few required tests. Aug 17, 2017 · Pockets. Apr 10, 2025 · Why Trust GearLab. In general, harnesses will all have the same basic features: two leg loops, a waist belt with auto-locking buckles, a belay loop that joins the leg loops to the waist belt, and gear loops along the sides of the waist belt for clipping in gear. Jan 21, 2021 · What we ask of our climbing skins are polarized concepts. We are constantly researching the newest products on the market and adding new ones to this review as they become available. For ice climbing, we sought materials and construction in the upper of the boot that gave good support to fatiguing calves on steep ground. 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. We identified each feature on each harness and tested them conscientiously while out climbing. Their flexibility makes them an excellent piece for pockets and pin scars. We whittle down a very long list to a small group of promising contenders and then purchase each of them at full retail price. thopqz qzy sommk ltvd hsycak fsnzu tuoa znrtro hamhg jpqfkjce