Testers’ Choice

With a median weight and size, the Grivel Plume perfectly straddled the gap between performance and minimalism—it was the sleekest, highest performing ultralight we tested. What first struck me was the biner’s ease of handling: The coating, especially on the black version, has a tacky, almost powdery feel (like primer paint) that made it much less prone to bobbling than the category’s more typically slick or anodized units. The Plume’s pronounced, lopsided teardrop curves provided an ample rope cradle, while the gate opening was a good, workable middling size, solid for slapping onto bolts or racking gear. Meanwhile, quick snapback and a muscular gate facilitated clipping on the quick in pumpy situations. This biner won’t gobble pack space, has a “bomber” feel, and nails the size range—it does perfectly all the things an ultralight is meant to do.