Our testers prefer a softer downturned shoe for steep climbing, and a more sensitive flat lasted shoe for slab climbing, and the Focus didn't really hit it out of the park for any of us like classics from Scarpa and La Sportiva. If it's a stiff shoe you're after, this could be the one; just remember to size up from your street shoe if you're ordering online and can't try them on in a shop.go to full review

These sleek looking race car shoes are a great choice for your next Euro limestone odyssey, where they will help you flow up steep limestone by day and send-celebratory cheap wine flow down your satisfied gullet at night, along with snails or whatever. For the blue-collar all-American trad warriors out there, do yourself a favor and buy a stiffer pair of climbing shoes.go to full review

The Petzl Frieno is a very unique belay locker that includes a friction spur that enables one to loop the brake end of the rope over it for increased braking control. It must be used with a gri-gri on a single rope to be effective, and costs a lot of money for a single locking carabiner. For these reasons, it is not our preferred, or recommended, choice for a belay-specific locker.go to full review

The Edelrid Pure Slider is a light and compact auto-locking carabiner that is designed, and thrives, while being used on the sharp end. Traversing climbs or pitches where the crux comes above only a single piece leaves one exposed in the random event that the rope comes unclipped from the protection, something which has happened to countless people. A very easy to open and deploy locker like the Pure Slider can nullify these risks, and is a useful tool for lead climbers, whether on sport or..." go to full review

The Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Triple FG has many unique features not found on other lockers we tested, or many other lockers at all, and which add value. It is our Top Pick as a Belay Locker, and the one we would recommend buying if that is your primary purpose. For the security conscious, or those who simply don't want an aluminum locker that will wear out in the desert really fast, it also presents a great value.go to full review

The DMM Phantom Screwgate is the best light and compact locker you can buy, but comes with a larger price tag than most in this category. We appreciate how light and small it is, and especially how much easier it is to quickly open and close the gate compared to other lightweight lockers. As our Top Pick, we highly recommend carrying three to four of these on your rack for multi-pitch climbs.go to full review

The La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX is a boot that could be absolutely perfect or absolutely rubbish, depending on your objective. In the hiking and climbing realms of mountaineering, this award winner crushes! It has excellent edging capabilities and is comfortable to wear on those uber long days in the mountains. That being said, this was the only model tested that doesn't work with step-in crampons. It is the lowest performing boot when it comes to straight ice climbing. Designed with a..." go to full review

In the mountains, low weight, comfort, and high technical performance are all qualities which are highly desirable. The Lowa Mountain Expert GTX EVO - Women's hits that sweet spot of being comparable to a comfy light-weight hiking boot while possessing technical ice capabilities. The wide tongue-opening makes them slide on to the foot more easily than any other product tested and the flexible ankle cuff and rockered sole allow them to hike very well. The stiff full shank and innovative..." go to full review

If you're looking for a high caliber boot that performs well across the board, look no further than the La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX - Women's. The Editors' Choice award winner features a whole range of qualities we look for in a quality mountaineering boot: front and rear toe-welts, a full shank, and waterproof insulation to keep those feet warm and protected from the elements. It also stands up to the task of kicking and front-pointing into the hardest ice. Increasing our love of this boot..." go to full review

We really like the La Sportiva Trango Ice Cube. It's light and climbs rock, ice, and mixed terrain well. The surprising warmth of the boot, in addition to the integrated gaiter, makes this one of the more versatile lightweight boots on the market. If it sounds like this is the feature set you need for your climbing, you might be willing to overlook the possible fragility of the lace hooks.go to full review