UK Climbing

If you've got this far it'll come as no surprise to learn that I've loved the Generator and (to a lesser extent) the Generator Mid. This is the shoe that I'd hoped the Maestro might be, but wasn't, and balances performance and comfort remarkably well, with a lot of ability to edge, jam and smear. Whilst some will find themselves drawn to the Generator Mid, this is undoubtedly the more specialist of the two, may be best reserved for big wall and crack climbers. The Generator is a much more..." go to full review

The Helios is a definite cut above your average all-round workhorse harness, with nicely sculpted and cleverly padded waist and leg loops that make it particularly comfy without excess bulk or weight. Sadly it is let down a little by the gear loops. For trad use in particular these seem slightly under-sized, while I find their positioning just a bit further back than I'd prefer. This may be influenced by fit and sizing, so it's something to look out for when trying this model on. In all..." go to full review

I got the Flyers Mid expecting it to be quite a specialist shoe. Perhaps it is, but what's actually impressed me most about them is how much of an all-rounder they are and as a result of this, they're a shoe I've reached for more often than I expected. They're supremely comfortable, handle brilliantly on a wide variety of different surfaces, and offer a good amount of protection and support. The fact that they're built to last, both in terms of its construction and the way in which the shoe..." go to full review

EPP helmets don't tend to come cheap. The Salathe Lite's retail price of £110 is the same as the comparable Petzl Sirocco, but significantly cheaper than the BD Vapour. Lightweight, well-vented, and decent value: if the Salathe Lite fits your head then it'd be an excellent choice for all your climbing and mountaineering. Being so light may be an advantage for scrambling and winter walking, too. It's a helmet for pretty much anyone, in other words.go to full review

No all-rounder, the Method S is undoubtedly a specialist offering, but if you're after something soft and sensitive for top-end bouldering then it's one to put high on your list. Comfy and forgiving by the standards of a technical performance shoe, it's also fun to climb in.go to full review

If you're looking for a forgiving and moderately supportive all-rounder that's equally suited to beginners and all-day climbing in the less demanding grades, the Alpha is a strong contender at a very competitive price.go to full review

In many ways I really like the Sensor. It fits well, it's well made, and seems like a step up from previous Red Chili shoes; however, the issues regarding line of sight are too significant a factor in terms of its performance, as it's very difficult to get a precise foot placement when you're left guessing where the edge on your shoe might actually be. For me, unfortunately, this is the decider.go to full review

The Vapour S hails a new era of slippers, making the older school style that's been available until now look extremely dated. It's comfortable out of the box and punches way above it's weight performance-wise, given that it is - first and foremost - a shoe that's designed with comfortable climbing in mind. Everyone I know who's had this shoe on their foot has loved it. It's fun to climb in, too, whether you're on a circuit, a project, a single pitch crack or a multi-pitch route. If the..." go to full review

I've been really impressed with both the Big Squishy and the Drifter. The build quality is excellent and the features fantastic. Understandably this combination comes at a price, but then these days bouldering pads all seem pretty expensive compared to what they used to be, so I think some re-calibration is in order. Gone are the days when you can buy one for £60. If I were to change anything it would probably be to make the Big Squishy a little less squishy and a little more like the..." go to full review

If, like me, you loved the original Mocc, but were bitterly disappointed by the NIAD Mocc, then look no further - the Up Mocc could well be the shoe that you've been waiting for. The updates to its design have actually improved the shoe too, with the toe patch being a genuinely good feature both for boulderers and trad/crack climbers alike.go to full review