Splitter Choss

I only have two negative observations so far. One, the 10mm side seems to be holding onto kinks. I’m not sure why this is, as the 9mm side is kink free. Second, when lowering with a GriGri, if you are going from fat to skinny, you will likely drop your climber a short distance as the cam takes a second to engage the skinnier part of the rope. In my mind these are minor inconveniences that are far outweighed by the benefits, but certainly worth noting.go to full review

I think climbers will appreciate the improvements of the new Aliens and find them to be a good value for such a technically advanced piece of pro. The LITE versions cost $66 each or $320 for a set of 5 and the LITE Double Sling versions are $2 more and $330 for a set of 5. At this price, they are over $10 less than Black Diamond X4s although a little pricier than the $59.95 Metolius Master Cams. I still think durability could be an issue, though after several months I haven’t had any..." go to full review

The Arial has excellent handling, the catch is soft and the 9.5 diameter means you can use it for just about anything, except maybe big wall climbing. My only concern is how quickly I’m seeing some fuzz, but time will tell if it’s a one time event or a sign of things to come. Regardless, these are some quality cords that shouldn’t take long to establish themselves as premier climbing ropes.go to full review

Overall it’s a comfortable, adjustable rig that’s great for sport climbing, trad, ice and even mountaineering. The burly construction should hold up well, though there are certainly lighter offerings out there in the same vein.go to full review

Testinggo to full review