Edelrid Mega Jul
Field test review of the new Edelrid Mega Jul belay device, a serious contender for a “semi-auto” device.
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Beal Birdie Belay Device
MSRP: $75 When I show up to the crag with a tube-style belay device these days, it seems like every climber looks askance at me and the deprecated technology I cling to, as … Continue reading "Beal Birdie Belay Device" -
Beer and Gear, Ep. 16 | Petzl – Grigri, Meteor Helmet, Dart Crampons, and Swift RL Headlamp
In this special Gear Guide edition of Beer and Gear, Delaney and Francis take a look at some new gear from Petzl—the Grigri, the Dart crampons, the Meteor helmet, and the Swift RL headlamp. … Continue reading "Beer and Gear, Ep. 16 | Petzl – Grigri, Meteor Helmet, Dart Crampons, and Swift RL Headlamp" -
Mammut Smart 2.0
MSRP: $34.95 BEST FOR: Cragging, Gym Climbing There’s something nice about being able to see everything that’s happening inside a belay device—all the bends in the rope, what allows that ever-so-important braking to … Continue reading "Mammut Smart 2.0" -
Petzl GRIGRI+
Petzl’s GRIGRI has once again evolved into the next generation model—the Plus. The new GRIGRI+ further refines the time-tested, 26-year-old design with improvements in safety, durability and functionality. Here are highlights: Wider rope range. The Plus, … Continue reading "Petzl GRIGRI+" -
Mammut Smart Alpine
Mammut Smart Alpine| $45 mammut.ch.com ★★★ According to Mammut, the Smart Alpine is the first “braking-force support” device that can be used with single, twin and half ropes. Braking-force support is another way of … Continue reading "Mammut Smart Alpine" -
Petzl Grigri 2
$94.95 | petzl.com ★★★★★ In the 20 years since the Petzl Grigri was invented, no other single-rope “brake-assisted” belay device has been able to compete with it in ergonomics, reliability and performance. Until now. The … Continue reading "Petzl Grigri 2" -
Faders SUM
Faders Sum| $90 fixe.com ★★★ Let us give thanks for auto-locking devices, for they have saved our butts. They allow us to loaf on portaledges, bolt sport climbs, hold our hang dogging chums and zip … Continue reading "Faders SUM" -
Edelrid Eddy
Edelrid Eddy| $117 edelrid.de.com ★★★ The Eddy is no Grigri 2, and it costs about $25 more. Need to read more? OK: The Eddy, Edelrid’s new auto-locking device, intends to improve on what could be … Continue reading "Edelrid Eddy" -
Mammut Smart
Mammut bills its Smart device as a tool for gym and sport climbers, and this no-frills “auto-locker,” designed to brake at even low levels of force, will work for those applications. The $50 price tag … Continue reading "Mammut Smart" -
Petzl Grigri
$94.95 | www.petzl.com There are nearly 50 different belay devices on the market, and fewer than five qualify as “auto-locking.” It says quite a bit about a Petzl Grigi that today, 18 years after its … Continue reading "Petzl Grigri"