Climbing

This four-in-one pad may have more uses than your Leatherman. At first glance, the Pro Spotter Pad looks like a typical sit-start pad at 36” x 22”, with three inches of sturdy and supportive closed cell foam. Then you notice the handles on the back, designed so the pad can be used for its namesake: a spotter pad that will safely and comfortably push the climber onto stacked pads.go to full review

Testers lauded the small carpet in the middle of the pad, which was “just enough to wipe my feet but not so much that the entire top of my pad collects dirt and grime.” The flap closure system kept everything packed inside secure; plus, a small stash pocket on the flap was perfect for keys, phone, and wallet. With a nine-pound weight and a comfy hipbelt/shoulder strap system, you’ll barely feel it on your back, even for long hauls up to alpine blocks.go to full review

There are plenty of companies offering dual/ mono–configurable crampons with replaceable front points, and at least one that offers a dedicated monopoint product. The Stinger is the first monopoint-only set with replaceable front points. This stainless-steel crampon has a narrow, asymmetric profile to better fit modern boots and save weight—it comes out of the box at 2 lbs., 1 oz, or about 6.5 ounces below BD’s dual-configuration Cyborg crampon.go to full review

It performed beautifully on ice, névé, and mixed ground. You can adjust the length of the front points in both dual or monopoint modes, or offset them, short and long. These crampons aren’t cheap, but given their versatility, performance, and included anti-balling plates, they’re a steal.go to full review

If steep, technical ice flows make you shiver with delight, check out the Griven G22 Crampons ($225, grivel.com). One tester spent four days climbing fresh ice in Cody, Wyoming, and was amazed at how well the G22s (available in one size) penetrated dense water ice.go to full review

Grivel has updated its classic G10 mountaineering spikes with a more secure heel spring called the Moletta, which locks the crampons down in the rear, so there is no accidental disengagement between the boot and the ’pon. The Moletta is also completely tool-free and “easier to adjust than other spring-pin systems I’ve used,” said one tester.go to full review

Byproducts are an inevitable part of manufacturing, and the rope-making process is no different. When the machine used to dye yarn for a rope sheath is switched from one color to another, about three-quarters of a mile of “transfer yarn” is left over. Transfer yarn is typically thrown away because it’s inconsistent in color and appearance; unfortunately, it has no place in our aesthetics-driven society. (Yes, even our ropes have to be pretty.) Mammut has taken this once-wasted byproduct and..." go to full review

This cord quickly became the top choice among our sport climbing testers thanks to its supple feel, easy handling, thin diameter, and kink-free performance. “We’ve had this line for about seven months, and it permanently stays in the rope bag as our go-to cord,” said one testing duo. “It hasn’t kinked once on 100+ pitches, and it clips like a dream.” A tighter braid and more sheath mass (than other BlueWater ropes) means this rope maintains its shape and handles abrasion well from running..." go to full review

Performance: “This rope has the durability of a fat rope with the feel of a skinnier cord,” one tester said. We loved it right out of the box thanks to its ideal balance of stiffness and flexibility. Add that to the lowest price in the review, and this rope is a win-win-win. The Toplight is the thickest of three ropes in Edelweiss’ Essential line (9.8 and 10 are the others), which aims to offer “top performance at the right price.” Our testers say they hit the nail on the head with the..." go to full review

Performance: “Nothing about this rope stood out—and that’s exactly why I love it!” one traveling tester said. “It’s dependable in any trad or sport situation, nothing annoyed me, and I didn’t have to worry about my rope among countless other safety concerns while climbing.” In the first month of use on sport pitches in Sinks Canyon, Wyoming, and full-day routes in Chamonix, France, it showed no signs of kinking—outstanding for a brand-new cord. The rope felt slippery at first due to the Dry..." go to full review