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Benjamin VanderStouw

Reviews

Tech Machine w/Ice Vario

Grivel
Grivel Tech Machine
6

Hard ice machine

Pros
Good swing
Durable material
Tough pick
Cons
Cuts up gloves on top
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

Man the Grivel picks are hard as nails. Their alloy is really great and takes a bit of a beating before they need to be resharpened. I've used these tools on vertical ice and alpine routes, they swing well and stick great.

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Vector

Black Diamond
Black Diamond Vector Helmet
5.04

Lightweight helmet

Pros
Lightweight
Comfortable
Easily adjustable
Cons
Fits head weird
Not as durable as other helmets
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

All the time I think "oh shoot I should put on my helmet" when wearing this helmet. It's so light I forget about it. Great for ice and rock, I love the design. It doesn't fit my head great, but I also have a small head. Overall it's an amazing helmet. I gave it one less star because of its decreased durability. Not a wonderful helmet for dragging behind you in chimneys.

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Totem Cam 0.80

Totem
Totem Cam 0.80
6

Finger lockin good

Pros
Thin head
Flexible
Lightweight
Cons
Slightly bulky
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

Totems are an incredible piece of innovation. They changed the aid and free climbing game. A totem placement definitely increases my confidence on a trade route. I've whipped onna bunch of different sizes and they hold well. The narrow head is amazing for pin scars and turns otherwise finicky placements into bomber plug and play cracks. The hype is real.

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Totem Cam 0.65

Totem
Totem Cam 0.65
6

Fingertips size savior

Pros
Lightweight
Narrow head
Dual stems
Cons
Slightly bulky
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

Totems are an incredible piece of innovation. They changed the aid and free climbing game. A totem placement definitely increases my confidence on a trade route. I've whipped onna bunch of different sizes and they hold well. The narrow head is amazing for pin scars and turns otherwise finicky placements into bomber plug and play cracks. The hype is real.

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Totem Cam 0.50

Totem
Totem Cam 0.50
6

Mother of micros

Pros
Lightweight
Dual stem
Can load sets of loves independently
Narrow head width
Cons
Slightly bulky
Not as small as other micro cams
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

Totems are an incredible piece of innovation. They changed the aid and free climbing game. A totem placement definitely increases my confidence on a trade route. I've whipped onna bunch of different sizes and they hold well. The narrow head is amazing for pin scars and turns otherwise finicky placements into bomber plug and play cracks. The hype is real.

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Alien Classic 1/2

Fixe
Fixe Alien Classic 1/2 Cam
6

Small crack wonder

Pros
Flexible stem
Soft lobe alloy
Cons
Heavier than revos
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

I love alien cams. The flexible stem allows for safe, easy placements in vertical or horizontal cracks, and the soft alloy really bites the rock when falling. They hold falls for sure (when placed correctly of course) and are an invaluable part of my rack. Get em all!

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Alien Revolution Double Sling 1

Fixe
Fixe Alien Revolution Double Sling 1 Cam
6

Out of this world

Pros
Flexible stem
Soft lobe alloy
Lightweight
Built in extension
Cons
Less durable after multiple falls
Familiarity
I’ve used it a ton

I love alien cams. The flexible stem allows for safe, easy placements in vertical or horizontal cracks, and the soft alloy really bites the rock when falling. They hold falls for sure (when placed correctly of course) and are an invaluable part of my rack. Get em all!

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Alien Revolution 7/8

Fixe
Fixe Alien Revolution 7/8 Cam
5.04

Ideal Gunks piece

Pros
Flexible stem
Lightweight
Softer lobe alloy
Cons
Smaller range than other cams
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

The Fixe Alien revos are a huge improvement over the older style aliens, cutting down on weight and making them hold more KN. I've used the older style a bunch, but the revos are a huge improvement to an already great cam. Perfect for placing in horizontal cracks at the gunks or protecting those finger sized cracks well... anywhere! Taken many a whip on them. They are good to go. They don't have a double axel like others cams, though with cams as small as these you really don't need or want them.

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