The aptly named Metolius Feather is the lightest tool in our review, and while it does compromise a little in the durability factor, we feel it's plenty tough for freeing the occasional stuck cam in the alpine or working out a nut or two your partner weighted after whimpering our favorite four-letter word for shame (take). We didn't try to break this tool, but it sure feels like we could if we tried hard enough. It got pretty bent out of shape after freeing a stuck tri-cam, so for most folks..." go to full review
The Black Diamond Wiregate nut tool is an effective, gimmick-free nut tool that has a few features that differentiate it from its competitors (Metolius). Foremost is the generous clip-in point, which is the largest and easiest to remove from your harness. The hooked end of this tool is also a bit longer than the other tools, making it great for hooking cams, or in a pinch, shoveling food into your mouth.go to full review
There are no gimmicks here with the Torque, just a well-designed little piece of equipment that needs to live on your trad rack. Whether you're new to the game or you're a seasoned "booty master", you can't go wrong with this nut tool.go to full review
If you want to log some serious miles with your pad or simply need more space for extra gear, the Kinetik Newton 4.0 is a wonderful choice. But if you require a stiff pad to keep you safe on mega-high balls, you might consider other options. Either way, this pad is well-constructed, durable, and laden with useful features. At 14 pounds, it's a little on the heavy side, but not overly so when compared to other pads with similarly sized landing zones.go to full review
The Metolius Inferno II Quickdraws are a reasonably affordable and easily clip-able quickdraw that performed about average in our test group. However, they suffer from a flaw that keeps the bottom carabiner oriented incorrectly most of the time. While this doesn't seem to be unsafe, it is annoying in a way that you don't want your climbing gear to be, and so we would generally recommend purchasing a different set of draws, regardless of your intended usage or budget.go to full review
The DMM Revolver reduces rope drag friction by inserting a small metal pulley wheel into the basket. While it is advertised as being applicable for lead climbing or even top-roping anchors, we didn't feel like its weight and price were worth the impaired function for these uses. However, we highly recommend that guides, alpine climbers, and mountaineers who traverse glaciers pick up a couple for use with hauling and emergency systems, as they present a compact and very versatile..." go to full review
Deciding whether to spring for the Trango Agility 9.1 is a little tricky. Its scores in most of the usual areas we measure climbing rope performance were less than outstanding. At the same time, its price is rather high. Ordinarily, this would equate to it being a poor value. However, its distinctive RED FLAG markings do provide a clear safety benefit. If you would like to reduce the likelihood of a lowering or rappeling accident and can afford the added cost, the Agility 9.1 could be an..." go to full review
The author needs two hands to count the number of climbers he knows that have been lowered off the end of a rope. Fortunately, none of these accidents ended in tragedy, but many resulted in lower leg injuries and shattered confidence that took months to recover from. In many of these cases, a clear middle mark would have prevented the accident. The Tommy Caldwell Eco Dry 9.3 features the best middle mark we've ever seen and for this reason alone we would highly recommend it. When we add to..." go to full review
The Blue Ice Addax harness is ideal for alpine climbs that prioritize weight savings, making it the perfect choice for alpine climbs. Despite its minimalist design, it is remarkably durable, defying our expectations that this ultralight piece of gear would wear out faster than heavier alternatives. Thanks to a full-fledged set of features, it really is a four-season, jack-of-all-trades kind of harness. Yet, we firmly believe that the Addax excels in an alpine environment.go to full review
The Cuesta is a great three-season harness, one that is equally comfortable on long routes in the mountains as it is at your local crag. It strikes a nice balance between comfort and functionality without adding a bunch of extra bulk. We particularly appreciate the women's specific fit – if you need a harness that has a higher rise for curves and larger leg loops, then this might be the perfect fit for you.go to full review