Über-smart design in a small package

Nut tools of yore had one main goal: remove stuck gear, specifically passive gear like nuts, which rely on wedging and being somewhat “stuck” for their strength. After several decades, though, it’s clear that we climbers uses these little sticks for far more than just taking out nuts, but their design has not updated along with their usage. Omega Pacific stepped up to the plate by making the Solution, which features a flat end for hitting nuts, a small nub that fits into the slots of a cam lobe, and a ½” wrench for tightening loose bolts. “Hello, can you say genius?” one tester said of the Solution after using the two-sided pronged end to clean out a crack of moss and dirt. Convenient carabiner clip goes right on your harness or a sling, and at 1.4 ounces, it weighs about the same as a large non-locking carabiner. Another reason to salute the designers: It doubles as a bottle opener for your post-climb brew.