Review: Edelrid Jul² Belay Device

For gym climbing and sport cragging, we’ve found our new go-to belay device. With no moving parts and a wide range of rope diameters (8.9—11mm), the Jul provides assisted-braking capability that every tester lauded for its reliable and soft catch. This evolution of the successful Mega Jul (winner of our 2014 Editors’ Choice Award) is a single tube-style belay device designed for gym- and sport-focused climbers that works smoothly, even with the fatter ropes found at many gyms. For its diminutive size, a few testers said it felt heavy in the hand, but at 3.7 ounces, it’s comparable to many double-slot tubers (and half the weight of a Grigri 2). Plus, it’s made of stainless steel, which boosts durability into lifetime range.