Cleverly, Scarpa have produced ostensibly the same shoe in what turns out to be two quite different guises, each better in its own niche. Which should you buy? At risk of sitting on the fence, it's horses for courses. For solid protection, and the reassurance that it should last a good long time, the Rapid XT has the edge. And now the weather is on the turn, the suede upper should offer extra warmth too. But what if you're heading somewhere hot this autumn, or - like me - you just generally..." go to full review

With the Ondra Comp La Sportiva (and Adam Ondra) have executed one of the highest performing shoes on the market. In fact I'd be tempted to say that within its category this is the best that money can buy. The attention to detail in lots of aspects of the shoe is commendable, and the unique level of performance it provides is a testament to that. What's the catch? Well, they are the most expensive shoes currently available. But then if it's top-end performance you're after, it almost always..." go to full review

The Black Diamond Capitan is an ultra-durable climbing helmet at an incredible price point, making it an excellent choice for entry-level climbers and frugal dirtbags alike. Compared specifically to the simplistic, hard-plastic climbing helmets we tested, the Capitan offers increased protection for a mere few dollars more. Our testers are known for abusing and breaking their gear quickly, especially climbing helmets. No matter what we put this helmet through – dangling from bivies on the..." go to full review

The Petzl Corax stands apart from its competitors thanks to a highly adjustable and versatile design created to maximize comfort and performance. The dual-adjust waist belt and adjustable leg loops fit a variety of body shapes and sizes, and allow for easy layering should you pursue a cold-weather objective. The gear loops are designed to lie flat against the waist belt and angle towards the front to allow for easy access while remaining comfortable beneath a backpack. The design also..." go to full review

The Mammut Four Slide is the perfect harness for beginner climbers who are seeking affordability, comfort, and versatility within one single harness. The ample cushioning increases standing and hanging comfort, while the dual self locking hip buckles provide a customized fit. The four gear loops provide plenty of spacing for quickdraws and a double rack of camalots, and while the design does include a haul loop, we recommend this harness for single pitches in accessible locations due to the..." go to full review

The C.A.M.P. Ikon Nova is a stellar climbing helmet at an even better price point. It has great features an a women’s specific design. Climbing helmets tend to make me look like a mushroom, yet the Ikon Camp Nova actually complimented my head shape. With a streamlined design, the helmet hugs my head perfectly and is super comfortable.  go to full review

I am seriously impressed by this rope and by Beal as a company. Before gear testing this product, I had not known much about Beal since they are based in France, but I am really glad I got the chance to try out one of their ropes! It is lightweight, durable, easy to handle, and could not be more eco-friendly! This rope has quickly become my go to rope!go to full review

I found it handled surprisingly well with my fatter guiding ropes that were in the 9.8mm-10.0mm but only when top rope belaying. The Birdie has an intuitive lead belay process where the more you bring the break strand parallel to the climbing strand, the easier the rope feeds and the less likely it is to lock up. This makes the process very similar to lead belaying with a tube style device and is even quite reminiscent of belaying with a munter. I found this to be quite true and the Birdie..." go to full review

The Arc’teryx Konseal isn’t trying to be a one-size-fits-all approach shoe. Instead, it fills a specific role: a highly supportive, durable, and confidence-inspiring option for climbers tackling rugged approaches with heavy loads. Just as skiers have powder skis for storm days and resort skis for groomer days, I think you could think of the Konseal as a shoe that fits into a larger quiver of approach shoes for all the different kinds of climbing that you do. If you value stability and..." go to full review

The Mammut Crag Sender Dry Rope 9.0 shines as a premium, lightweight climbing rope with top-tier handling, durability, and versatility. Its dry treatment, smooth sheath, and triple certification make it a go-to for alpine, mixed, and crag routes where every gram matters. If you’re seeking a performance rope for serious sends or alpine objectives—and don’t need a thick, hard-wearing daily trainer—this is an exceptional choice.go to full review