Climbing

How do you improve a product that has been a powerhouse in the climbing industry for almost two decades? Petzl went back to basics by making the original Grigri lighter and smaller, replacing it with the Grigri 2 (petzl.com). Used for everything from extended sport belays to jumar back-ups, the Grigri is now 2 ounces lighter and only about 75 percent of the original’s size. It also handles smaller-diameter ropes (down to 8.9mm) than the original, so skinny-rope redpointers and fat-cord..." go to full review

Not to beat a dead horse (see Climbing 293), but damn, the Grigri 2 sure is nice. Everything is better than the original Grigri, which was good enough that it dominated the assisted-braking market for nearly two decades. The new Grigri is 25 percent lighter and smaller than the original, a boon for small-handed belayers especially. One tester claimed it “doesn’t get jerky like the original Grigri can.” The Grigri 2 also can handle a larger range of ropes, from 8.9mm to 11mm, which makes a..." go to full review

“If you’re anything like me, then you take more gear then needed,” our belay device tester said one day. “I mean, who doesn’t want Buddha’s own rack of double cams, draws, and slings?” With that approach, odds are you’re going to have the right piece, but you might as well carry a boat anchor, too. That is where tools like the newly redesigned Black Diamond ATC-XP come in handy. With cut-outs in the side walls and subtle changes to the shape, the new ATCXP is 30 percent lighter (now 2.3 oz..." go to full review

The EDELRID JUL is a single-rope belay device (think: ATC-Sport) with a techy twist and a designy aesthetic. It’s made of stainless steel instead of the standard aluminum and is coated with a tough plastic — a totally new way of constructing a belay device. The Jul, according to Edelrid, is highly resistant to wear and never gets hot, even after a long lower. Of course, you can’t double-rope rappel with it, but it’s perfect for cragging and will win you style points.go to full review

Once we finally got our hands on one of these nifty little tube-style belay devices, our testers were over the moon for its unbeatable versatility and additional stopping power. It’s light (2.3 oz.), and the smartly designed shape makes it bite down on the rope during a fall—just like an assisted-braking belay device (think Grigri or Cinch). You get all the features of an auto-blocking tube (two-rope rappels, guide mode for following, belaying) with the increased safety of those other..." go to full review

“Never choose between your versatile, lightweight tube-style device and heavier, safer assisted-braking device again. With the Mega Jul, you get both in an airy, durable stainless steel package that has even more uses than both.” Read the full review in our Editors' Choice Awards...." go to full review

Summary: The Beal Stinger, imported by Black Diamond, had just the right amount of stiffness for swift clipping — pull up a bight and slap it in. On the downside, that stiffness contributed to noticeable kinkiness and sheath wear after three or four days of intensive use.
Pros: Light.
Cons: Kinks easily. Sheath bristles up quickly.go to full review

Summary: Mammut’s Infinity strikes a balance between light weight, durability, and handling. Virtually kink-free right out of the factory coil, this cord clipped well, held up to extended working sessions, and fed smoothly through allbelay devices. Those with tender hands should opt for belay gloves, as a few testers found the sheath to be a bit coarse.
Pros: Lightweight. Durable.
Cons: Coarse sheath.go to full review

Summary: Weighing in at a scant 57 grams per meter, the PMI Elite was one of the lightest ropes in the test. It also provided the cushiest catch due to its 35-percent dynamic elongation. That cush comes at a cost, though, as the rope tended to flatten out during extended work sessions, regaining its shape overnight
Pros: Light.
Cons: Flattened out during extended working sessions.go to full review

CABLED TO THE CORE
The Cristal’s cabled-core technology makes for a light cord offering exceptionally soft, lowimpact- force catches.
HYDROPHOBIA
Millet’s Hydrophobic Process individually treats each fiber before rope manufacture begins. The result is a water- and abrasion-resistant sheath and core (approximately five percent water retention). Lab tests show that the Hydrophobic treatment holds up well under wear and tear, too.
NO TWIST-O
Millet’s unique rope-..." go to full review