At £150 this shoe is right at the upper end of the price scale, but after a lot of use my pair has worn well so far, so I'd say that they represent reasonable value. Where the Crawe really shine is on small edges, and thanks to their comfortable and snug fit they make an excellent pair of shoes for route climbing. They're also well-fitting and precise so they're great for all-round bouldering, although if you're looking to tick your hardest projects there are a couple of niggles that are..." go to full review
The Mastia is a good all-rounder with a varied focus, ranging from overhanging sport to bouldering on rock types which require that little bit of extra sensitivity. Out of the box the forefoot feels quite stiff, but given a bit of use the shoes soon soften up and enter their prime, which is perfect for smearing, albeit with a bit of support left over for edging. Their synthetic uppers mean that whilst they give a little, they don't give much, so don't buy them too small, and be aware that..." go to full review
Now in its seventh version, the Manta remains a benchmark mountain boot in the B2 category, and should equally appeal to mountaineers and more ambitious winter hillwalkers. This is a robust and unashamedly chunky boot, and while you'll find lighter models, and others that may cost a little less, the Manta Tech sets a high bar for build quality, all-day comfort, and all-round performance. Aside from the weight, which in any case feels less significant on the foot than in the hand, I struggle..." go to full review
The Drago LV is hands-down my favourite shoe for climbing indoors. Even so, I'm tempted to keep them for my hardest bouldering projects outside because they are just so good for that too. However you've got to be a bit selective about what you use them for, as they definitely have a style of climbing that suits them best (soft and sensitive, as opposed to edgy and supportive). The fact they're comfortable, but still deliver a high level of performance, is also something I really like, as is..." go to full review
Metolius is a small American climbing company from Oregon, and they've been churning out high-quality, innovative climbing products for decades. Their Metolious Magnum offers a very attractive alternative to the traditional bi-folding pad, and take note—this pad isn't new. The Magnum has been a staple at the boulders for years with good reason. Our testers agree it's easier to pull harder and commit to the top out when there is a Magnum between them and the ground.go to full review
Yes, its that good! This harness nailed all of the boxes. Lightweight… check, durable… check, packable… check, comfortable… check. Wilc country crafted a wonderful product. This lightweight-yet-durable harness is a sport climber’s dream and it really excels when it comes to those two categories. There is only one thing that I could say that they could have done differently — swap the plastic clips on the back of the legs for something that is a little more durable. Other than that, there is..." go to full review
At the end of the day the Grivel Dark Machine is a tool for the focused specialist. It's well suited to steep terrain, ice that's dead-vertical or just beyond, and objectives that are long enough or remote enough to merit the weight savings of a carbon tool. In those situations, they shine. But if your winter tick list involves complex mountaineering, snow climbs, or moderate ice, a more generalist tool will likely be a better choice.go to full review
