Climbing

Don’t look to these for smearing or slabs, but they’re durable and kick ass on anything overhanging. Stiff and supportive, and testers loved the three Velcro straps. A split, padded tongue equals comfort.go to full review

Choose this for any bolt-clipping you might do, as well as gym climbing and redpointing single-pitch trad climbs. It’s not as minimalist as many sport-specific rigs, but it’s way easier to wear for long hours.go to full review

Progressive construction, customizable fit, and optimal comfort help justify a slightly higher price, making it an excellent choice for gym, sport, trad, or ice. And testers liked the vibrant, easy-to-spot-on-the-wall colors.go to full review

With plenty of cushion to keep testers comfy but a very light feel, this harness shines in any conditions and any location, from the gym to all-day routes in Yosemite.go to full review

The best built harness for redundancy, durability, and robust features; take this on your next big wall adventure. Excellent for longer routes and climbers who want to buy one harness and be done.go to full review

Minimalist but functional design that offers a surprising amount of comfort. It is easy to adjust, pleasant to wear all day, and has a featherweight for a fully featured harness.go to full review

Get two-in-one protection for kids up to 88 pounds with the Fraggle full-body harness. “I like knowing that there’s no chance of our little guy wiggling out of this no matter how he moves,” said one parent. The 3-D mesh padding proved comfortable and features multiple adjustment points that cinched down just small enough for a three-year-old and just big enough for a seven-year-old. There are two tie-in points—one in the center of the chest and one at the top of the back. The latter was..." go to full review

Comfort counts, even if you can’t spell the word yet. “This one feels best when I swing in it,” said one four-year-old Colorado crag rat, who tested harnesses at local areas. The waistbelt has no seams and is wider on the sides, with extra-wide leg loops for excellent weight distribution. The leg loops and waist have a big range of adjustment, featuring DoubleBack buckles that are always doubled back, and the clear coloring enables quick knot checks, even on fidgety, fast-moving kids. “The..." go to full review

Serious sport climbers will find this rope perfectly suits their projecting needs, and although the price is kind of steep, you’re getting the performance and practical uses of two cords for the price of one.go to full review

This workhorse rope has a surprisingly simple but effective system for alerting the user when he is reaching the middle or the ends, and its continued high-level performance after a year of use speaks to its durability.go to full review