The Singing Rock Penta is a very affordable helmet made with lightweight foam. It only comes in one size, and is not very adjustable, so one must be sure that it fits comfortably before committing to a purchase. If you are lucky, then the Penta can be a fantastic value purchase, while the majority are likely to find that the fit is too small, eliminating it as a choice for consideration.go to full review
The Mammut Ophir 4 Slide is remarkable because it has two waist buckles that allow for maximum adjustability while keeping the harness perfectly centered. It is an affordable option that is versatile enough for many styles of climbing, but unless you need its added adjustability, it is not the first recommendation that we would make.go to full review
The Black Diamond Solution Guide wins our Top Pick award for traditional and multi-pitch climbing because it best meets the needs for these disciplines — increased gear carrying capacity, durability, great hanging comfort — better than the competition. We also think it presents a great value and is versatile enough to be used at the crag for sport climbing as well. If you love the Solution but want larger gear loops, the Solution Guide is a perfect choice.go to full review
There is a bewildering array of options in the climbing shoe market. Unfortunately, the Mad Rock Shark 2.0 did little to distinguish itself from the field of shoes we tested. We concluded that its single strap design feels insensitive and too insecure for marginal edging. To top things off, it's not even easy to take on or off. Due to its low price, however, the Shark could still be worth considering. Maybe you'll be become one of the many happy customers out there eagerly singing its..." go to full review
Despite all the new technologies flooding the climbing shoe world, sometimes you just want a simple, inexpensive shoe. The Tarantulace is exactly that. For less than half the price of a high-end shoe you get a quality-made Italian shoe fitted with sticky rubber that would make the Stone Masters of a bygone era murderously jealous. Sure, better shoes do exist, but for plenty of folks, the performance benefits of a top-scoring shoe won't be worth the added costs. For less than the hundred..." go to full review
With considerable marketing hype and an Editors' Choice award from Climbing Magazine, we initially had high hopes for the FiveTen Aleon. Those hopes were dashed the moment we tried a pair on. The quality of the Aleon's feels sub-par and that's supported by a considerable set of online customer complaints. Aside from their performance in pockets, we were unimpressed in all other areas. If you're a huge fan of single strap bouldering shoes, they might be worth considering. Otherwise, their..." go to full review
The trad and crack climbing shoe scene has been dominated by the TC Pro for several years now. That's starting to change as several companies have added their own stiff-soled, high-top mimics. Black Diamond's contribution, the Aspect, is a great addition and worthy of consideration for those desiring more sensitivity or a low-top design that's less likely to irritate their Achilles tendons.go to full review
To some, climbing is a hobby; to others, it's an all-consuming obsession. For the latter group, there's the Scarpa Chimera. This supple Italian masterpiece offers unrivaled sensitivity in an aggressive design that's ready for your overhanging mega project. Our testers were particularly impressed with its awesome comfort and fit right out of the box. It is a specialized shoe. However, that's best suited for bouldering and shorter sport routes. There are better choices for exclusive crack or..." go to full review
Add the Oracle to the ever-expanding list of outstanding climbing shoes. It features a slew of innovative features that enhance performance and comfort, while still being priced for a few dollars less than its closest competitors. Although it's not the best shoe to chose for pockets or cracks, for all other disciplines, it performs excellently.go to full review
With a reasonable price tag, an aggressive shape, and a soft midsole, the Hiangles are a great high-performance shoe for gym climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering. Though they did not necessarily excel in any of our metric comparisons, they performed decently overall, making them a fairly good all-around shoe for sport climbing.go to full review