Climbing Zine

As all outdoor enthusiasts know, long approaches in new, stiff boots usually means numb, painful, and sometimes even raw feet, but the Alpine Pro GTX were up to the task of being exceptionally comfortable on flat, uneven, and steep terrain. A well-built boot that I can trust to remain durable on extremely technical terrain is something I haven’t been able to find until Lowa. The combination of resilience and design of this boot makes it superior to its competitors in both comfort and..." go to full review

Since this was the first Edelrid rope I’ve ever climbed on, I kept a close eye for signs of wear. It’s really withstood the abuse of running over fresh sandstone edges on first ascents, and even sharper ones on new routes on Mexican limestone. After seven months of steady use, it’s still my go-to cord for anything from a new route to laps at the local crag.go to full review

The device does automatically lock off when weighted for lead and top rope belaying. Though this model is rated for ropes that are 8.7 to 10.5mm, I’ve found it to be jerky when the rope is 9.8mm or thicker, especially if its a well used rope. For top ropes it works great, just as well as a GRIGRI.go to full review

First placing the helmet on my head, I had a quick learning curve to understand the suspension adjustment system – thin webbing with two small pull tabs. As I stated before, this helmet is adjustable between 54cm and 62cm, so it can fit a variety of head sizes, and figuring out exactly how the adjustment straps works is a breeze. A positive about this is the reduction of extraneous parts, thus making the 2.0 worry-free, as compared to other helmet manufactures suspension systems, which rely..." go to full review

The first thing that every climber has to consider with helmets is how they fit on your head. I’ve noticed over the years climbers seem to be loyal to certain brands because of that, and I have as well. I’d never worn a Grivel before, so I wasn’t sure.

Right away I noticed the webbing system for the Stealth was different than most helmets I’ve seen. The strap that fits around the back of your head is a piece of webbing that moves closer to your head than most helmets I’ve had. Rather..." go to full review

The best camming device ever made. I already want to get a double set of these, and I want my friends to as well. That said, I hope they expand and make Ultralight versions of the #5 and #6, the sizes where you often don’t haul them up a climb because they’re so heavy. Put them on your holiday gift list right now, or get one for someone you love!go to full review

This shoe comes close to being a jack-of-all trades; it performs at a high level on a variety of rock types and angles. It’s a favorite for climbing in places like Eldorado Canyon, where I have to be able to jam cracks, smear on subtle slopers, and stand on tiny edges. Some people like a slightly aggressive, downturned shoe for climbing hard cracks; I’d recommend armoring the outer toes with a little shoe goo for this purpose.go to full review

Though the Mammut Rock Rider is neither the lightest nor the most durable helmet, its thick foam construction enables it to excel at combining durability with a light weight throughout a variety of terrain.go to full review

A wide-footed climber looking for a precise and edge-powerful slipper need look no further. At only $120, these shoes are remarkably cheaper than comparable shoes from the big brands, and perform just as well on vertical and overhanging edgy climbing if the fit is right. I can’t recommend it for people with narrow feet, it’s just too wide.go to full review

If you’re looking for a workhorse crag rope for whipping all over your projects for a few years, look no further. This rope will provide soft catches well into the future. It’s not the best choice for new climbers or people who primarily top-rope. At a mid-range price, you get the stretchy behavior of a skinny rope the in a thick, burly package – not a bad deal at all.go to full review