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Trango Raptor
MSRP: $174 BEST FOR: Ice, ice, ice f you’re looking for a solid ice tool, within budget, that swings intuitively, performs on steep ice, and will get you through some low-end scratchy mixed, … Continue reading "Trango Raptor" -
Evolv General
MSRP: $170 When I heard of Evolv’s new shoe, “The General,” I wondered whether the name referred to its dominance over other shoes or its ability to do a bit of everything, as … Continue reading "Evolv General" -
Butora Icarus
MSRP: $129 BEST FOR: Long approaches Butora has become one of the biggest players in the U.S. climbing shoe market over the past several years, but the Icarus is the first one of … Continue reading "Butora Icarus" -
Garmin inReach Mini
MSRP: $349.99 BEST FOR: Camping in all weather Garmin’s new inReach Mini might be perfect for climbers and alpinists looking for a satellite SOS communicator with GPS that they could easily stuff in a … Continue reading "Garmin inReach Mini" -
Grivel G20 Plus
MSRP: $220 BEST FOR: Alpine routes, steep water ice Grivel’s G20 Plus is a high-end mono-point crampon, at home scratching around in the alpine, kicking into steep pillars, or catching the afternoon rays … Continue reading "Grivel G20 Plus" -
Scarpa Instinct VSR
MSRP: $185 BEST FOR: Bouldering and steep sport climbing When I first started wearing the Scarpa Instinct VSR, people would come up to me at the gym and ask, “Alex Puccio wears those, … Continue reading "Scarpa Instinct VSR" -
Evolv Agro
MSRP: $165 BEST FOR: Hard bouldering and steep sport climbing The Evolv Agro is a soft, performance-oriented shoe best for hard bouldering or your sport project, indoor and outdoor included. I’ve had a pair for over … Continue reading "Evolv Agro" -
Tulson Tolf: Trad, Trad XHard and Invernal Shoes
MSRP: €119.00 (Trad XHard Invernal, Men’s and Women’s); €109.95 (Trad XHard, Men’s and Women’s) BEST FOR: Long trad climbs and alpine rock climbing Tulson Tolf is a new brand to appear in … Continue reading "Tulson Tolf: Trad, Trad XHard and Invernal Shoes" -
Metolius Ultralight Asymmetric Curve Nuts
MSRP: $149.50 for full set (#1-10); $14.95 for individual sizes BEST FOR: Everything trad or aid My rack of passive pro is a bit frankenstein-ish: cobbled together from orphaned chocks at the base … Continue reading "Metolius Ultralight Asymmetric Curve Nuts" -
Scarpa Maestro Eco and Eco Mid
MSRP: $190 (Mid Eco and Mid Eco Women’s); $180 (Eco and Eco Women’s) At last count a dozen brands were pumping 210 different rock shoes into the U.S. market. If you are a … Continue reading "Scarpa Maestro Eco and Eco Mid" -
Black Diamond Focus
MSRP: $179.95 BEST FOR: Sport climbing and bouldering From bouldering on cobble-studded sandstone to sport climbing in the athletic and knee-bar filled roofs of Rifle, the Black Diamond Focus performs like a champ. … Continue reading "Black Diamond Focus" -
La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX
MSRP: $475 BEST FOR: Ice climbing The Trango Tower Extreme GTX is the latest offering in La Sportiva’s popular Trango line of alpine boots. With a bit more insulation than the Trango Ice Cube … Continue reading "La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX"
