The Black Diamond MiniWire is a fresh new face on the carabiner scene, and is sure to become a classic for those who want only the lightest climbing gear they can buy. With a very small size and an exceptionally light weight, they can be a game changer for alpine missions and large climbs that are a long ways from the car. That said, they come with some notable downsides, include lower functionality, especially with gloves on, due to their tiny size.go to full review
The Black Diamond Hotwire has been redesigned and reengineered with a different geometry in the spine meant to increase space within the basket while reducing wear on your rope and the carabiner itself. The design seems to work, but other attributes of the 'biner, such as its heavy weight and stiff gate, bump it down a bit on the list of our favorite carabiners. While it's a pretty decent product, we also feel like there are better options in the full-sized market.go to full review
The Dyon is an excellent carabiner. The operation is smooth throughout applications and will be appreciated by the leader just as much as the follower because of its unique snag free keylock gate and smooth nose. We put a significant amount of time into finding a problem with this carabiner but came up mostly empty-handed. If we wanted to be really picky, we would point out the 3kn of strength lost by putting a concave bend in the spine, but 21kn is strong. Yes there is a steep cost..." go to full review
The DMM Alpha Trad is a heavily featured and high performing carabiner that is applicable to pretty much any climbing use. They are designed to be ergonomic and easy to use for winter climbing with gloves on, and these same characteristics make them very easy to use for dry rock climbing as well. The only downside is the elevated price tag, but at a minimum, it is worth buying a few for specialty racking needs.go to full review
The Wild Country Helium 3 is a fantastic carabiner, and we think makes an excellent choice for racking cams, clipping nuts to, and for using on extendable alpine draws. Basically, if you are trad climbing, then these carabiners will easily find a place on your rack. We are less likely to recommend them for sport climbing draws, but still concede that their insanely easy clip-ability makes them a reasonable choice no matter what type of climbing you love most.go to full review
Rock climbing can wear through shoes surprisingly quickly, so it's understandable that many customers would want to seek out performance at an affordable price. The So iLL Main Street is an intriguing option to fill this role. After extensive testing, however, we believe several models offer superior performance for an even better bargain.go to full review
When it comes to rock climbing performance, footwear is arguably the single most important piece of gear. However, sticky rubber wears out quickly so climbing shoes are one of the highest recurring costs for regular climbers. The Finale presents a two-prong way to reduce those costs — it's available at an affordable retail price and the durability advantage of its thicker rubber means that you should wear through a pair less quickly. Although their performance cannot quite match some premium..." go to full review
A stiff, moderately downturn climbing shoe has a myriad of applications, and the Scarpa Instinct Lace is no exception. We think its edging prowess, paired with its impressive sensitivity, makes it an ideal shoe for techy sport and trad climbs. It's especially great for anyone with wide feet that has struggled to find a comfortable fit from other manufacturers. Despite the high price, we think this a perfect shoe for proficient climbers that are eager to jump up a grade.go to full review
The original Solution appealed to many climbers and became an exceedingly popular shoe at the gyms and boulders. The subtle adjustments introduced in the Solution Comp should only add to this appeal. It provides the same precision at the toe while adding lots of sensitivity to the heel. The only drawback is a slight increase in price. We believe the improvements are easily worth the few extra bucks.go to full review
The C-Quence is the newest harness in Arc'teryx's lineup, and we would agree with their statement that it is their most comfortable. It is a very versatile choice and makes for a great all-around harness for the climber who likes to do it all, but only wants to own one harness. If you are just as likely to plug cams in Yosemite or Rocky Mountain National Parks as you are to get in an after work session at the local gym or sport crag, then the C-Quence is an ideal choice for you.go to full review