We were excited to try out the Edelweiss Curve Unicore Supereverdry, but boy did it disappoint. We can't confirm if it's the "Unicore" construction that makes it so stiff since we didn't test the regular Curve rope, but this one was just too difficult to handle.go to full review

The Trango Lotus 9.9 mm wasn't any of our testers' favorite rope, but it got the job done and wasn't too expensive. If you're in the market for a dry rope but don't want to spend a fortune on it, the Lotus is a good choice.go to full review

Beal does make thinner lines than the Joker with Unicore construction, like the Opera 8.5mm (single, 48 g/m) and the Gulley 7.3mm (half/twin — 36 g/m!), and these lines have a useful purpose, particularly for guides or alpinists. But if you want something that can go from a multi-pitch route one day to a long sport route the next, the Joker is the better choice.go to full review

The Mammut Revelation Dry is a thinner dry treated line that is best used for alpine climbing and long multi-pitch routes. While it handles nicely and has a tightly woven sheath, our testing revealed it to be less durable than the competition, and unfortunately, it doesn't offer much in terms of weight savings over longer lasting 9.5mm alternatives. While we feel like it is a good rope, compared to the competition it is not the first one that we would recommend buying.go to full review

There was a lot to like about the Petzl Arial, and if it had withstood the abuses of our climbing a little bit better, it could have been an award winner. As it stands, this is still a great option.go to full review

While we weren't a huge fan of the Booster circa 1995, we do like current 2017 version. The Beal Booster III is a solid line that performs well in a variety of climbing styles and environments, except for excessive top roping. It's durable and not too expensive, and was an easy pick for our Best Buy Award.go to full review

The Maxim Pinnacle is a great niche rope for those who like to sport climb. It's not too heavy, and has great clipping and belaying action. This isn't the best all-around rope, and it certainly isn't suited for beginners, but if you've been sport climbing for a while and are looking for a high-performance line for your redpoint attempts, this is an excellent option.go to full review

As a person with a pretty narrow foot, I was really appreciative of the support and lace-up compatibility this shoe had to lend. The TC Pro offers both comfort and durability, keeping your feet feeling strong after a long day of climbing. From slab to crack climbing, this shoe is the jack-of-all-trades for someone who is trying to stay versatile and have the most fun!go to full review

This device is designed to operate as any other tube style belay device: you belay (top rope and lead) and lower as you would with a standard tube device. This helps keep the functionality and usability of the device at a very low learning level. The best benefit I found was giving this device to clients to belay me or others with as it operates the exact same as our tube devices with the added function of the back up: lower too fast or climber falls without a hand on the break strand? No..." go to full review

I took this harness out climbing both at the crag and the gym to see how it felt, and it is definitely comfortable. The wide waistband is extremely comfortable, and their V-Flex shape is a game changer. When taking big sport whips or chilling at a hanging belay, I didn’t notice any pinching or tugging in places I wasn’t used to. Unfortunately, this harness hasn’t solved the problem of ‘thigh loops being the right size, but waistbands being too large’ for me. I had plenty of space pull away..." go to full review