These have been tested over a few thousand feet of snow climbing in on neve, spring corn, and classic NH “windboard”. For an ultra-light aluminum crampon they perform great! They have not, and will not, be tested on waterfall ice or mixed rock routes. They are not designed for that and I’m sure such uses will shorten their life-span. So far they have only been in contact with snow but I’m not too worried about walking over short sections of granite to get to the next patch of snow this..." go to full review
Overall, the Furia S is a welcomed upgrade to an already great shoe. The Furia S can be described as a sensitive and powerful shoe that can handle massive variation in terrain. The power of its toe box is one of its defining features and makes it a go to shoe for any occasion. If we had to find a weakness in the Fura S, it would again be the heel cup of the shoe. Compared to the previous model, the heel cup design has improved greatly but with the lack of a ‘cup’, the heel of the Furia S is..." go to full review
The BlueWater Ropes Lightning Pro has some good things going for it, including great handling and a not-too-heavy g/m weight. However, the poor falls we took on the line and the excessive sheath fuzz dropped it down in our estimation.go to full review
The Edelrid Pro Dry is a good line for a variety of climbing. It's not too specialized as to be suitable for only sport or only trad, and it didn't feel too spongy for top roping. Because it seemed to attract and hold dirt more than other ropes, it might not be the best choice for people who climb in notoriously dirty or sandy locations.go to full review
The Black Diamond 9.9mm is a great rope and we're happy that BD finally dipped its toe in the rope manufacturing world. This is a solid rope for anyone looking for an inexpensive line, and it's a great choice for beginning climbers who have to buy a ton of gear at once. It handles well and gives a good catch whether you are lead climbing or top roping. It's not the lightest rope, nor the most versatile, but if you're looking for your next line for gym days or TR sessions, this is a good bet..." go to full review
If you're looking to save on weight and bulk, then the Metolius FS Mini II could be the carabiner you are looking for. It's not ideal for those with larger hands or when wearing gloves though, and the small size is hard to get used to. Considering that there are other options that are much larger for about the same (or even less) weight, we don't think this makes a good racking carabiner but it does have other useful applications like holding your extras on a long route.go to full review
While the Trango Phase wasn't the highest scoring carabiner, it did function well and it retails at a great price. Considering how many carabiners you are likely to go through as a climber, from losing them to your partner's rack to leaving them on a descent here or there, we appreciate options that won't break the bank. If you're looking to save a few dollars or just can't shell out so much at once when starting out in this sport, the Phase is a great option to consider.go to full review
The DMM Alpha Light didn't stand out from the pack in any significant way. It's a great "smaller" carabiner if that's what you're looking for, but it didn't have too many advantages over other options that cost a third of the price. Unfortunately, due to the exchange rate between the UK and the US, and the fact that manufacturing your gear in the UK no doubt costs more than in other countries, this carabiner ends up costing a little too much for us compared to the competition.go to full review