UK Climbing

Overall this is a bit of a disappointment. The feeding mechanism is too sensitive and has been implemented to avoid a problem that the vast majority of climbers would never experience. It is a safer device for top-roping and for belaying with inexperienced climbers, but most people who use the old Click Up will find the new version frustrating. You can adapt your belaying style to make it work almost as well as the original, but you shouldn't have to do that. We are pleased to say though..." go to full review

The weight of a rope is relative to its diameter, and its diameter to its durability, so it's impressive that as a relatively light and skinny rope the Spirit manages to be quite durable. As you'd expect from a light skinny single rope the Spirit handles very well, aided by its weave and coating. I would definitely recommend the Spirit to anyone looking for a single rope for general onsighting, redpoint attempts and briefly working routes as the Spirit handles brilliantly, is very light and..." go to full review

In 2018 La Sportiva significantly increased their range of women's climbing shoes, with female-specific counterparts to the likes of the Futura, Solution, Kataki, Otaki, Skwama, Miura and Katana. This is a great development for women (obviously), as it provides far wider choice. However, it's only better if it's a genuine and significant change to what's out there already. With that in mind I was interested to see how two of the new crop - the Otaki and the Skwama – performed. Having used..." go to full review

We first got to handle Petzl's new top-end ice tools at the ISPO show in January 2018. They looked exciting; but there's only so much you can tell in an exhibition hall, and to really judge an axe you have to climb with it - a lot. Well as winters go, this one has not been the best to test ice axes, with conditions coming and going all season. Having the new NOMICS and ERGONOMICS sitting near my desk has been a frustrating business; however we've managed to get out enough to have a good idea..." go to full review

Overall this is a great entry level rock shoe. It comes in at an excellent price and is likely to be found comfortable by many. It is soft in use without a really sticky rubber, so it won't be what you are after for top end climbing; but for long days on multi-pitches, or for users who just prefer a bit of comfort in a hard wearing rock shoe, the Momentum is well worth considering.go to full review

With the Attila Tec, Edelrid have tried to create a hybrid between a climbing and a mountaineering axe. Off the shelf they appear to have largely succeeded, though the adze needs to be bigger. Problems arise in use, however, when the weakness of the non-replaceable plastic components is soon evident. It would be disappointing if you'd purchased this axe for these unique selling points, only for them to break at the first sign of rough use. Mountaineering axes need to be strong enough to take..." go to full review

I think the Climbing Technology Nuptse Evo are a great all round crampon, with a tried and tested binding system and robust anti-balling plates. There is nothing particularly exciting or innovative about them - however this is no bad thing as the they follow a classic design, which isn't broken, and therefore didn't need fixing! The crampons are perfect for any climbers/mountaineers who want one crampon to do everything. They will work well in all settings, from introductory winter walking..." go to full review

If I was heading somewhere like Kalymnos or Chulilla, where the routes are long and the focus would be on onsights and quick redpoints, then the Swift would undoubtedly be the only rope I'd take with me. In the Alps its weight, combined with its gold star 'Pro Dry' treatment, make it an ideal choice for everything from glacier travel to north faces. Durability-wise it belies its diameter by packing a serious punch, with a solid structure and an impressively robust feel. Finally, we can't..." go to full review

The Synergy is an excellent choice for bouldering outdoors and indoors. It manages to retain the advantages of a soft shoe - sensitivity, maximum contact and flexion - whilst maintaining enough stiffness and precision to perform well on edges, as you would expect from a stiffer shoe. In addition it's comfortable, albeit fairly high volume and, whilst specifically a bouldering shoe, it's a great choice for any rock (or plastic) type.go to full review

This is a brilliant idea which has been carried out to perfection by Edelrid. Carrying a couple of these as quickdraw sets when sport climbing will save wear on your rope and everyone else's lower-offs. As a belay karabiner the Bulletpoof is probably one of the best models out there, giving you everything you need in a more durable form while still retaining a reasonably light weight.go to full review