Outdoor Gear Lab

Passive assisted braking devices have elicited a lot of "whys?" from people when they spotted us testing them out at the crag. Think of them as a cross between a GriGri and an ATC. If you're partial to tube-style devices but want some extra holding power and security, then the Smart 2.0 is a great choice. If you've always used a GriGri but are open to trying something lighter and less expensive, the Smart also fills that bill.go to full review

If your first thought upon looking at the Black Diamond ATC Pilot is "what's the point of this device?" you wouldn't be alone! However, it does serve a useful purpose for certain scenarios, and we can see gyms that like to have a pre-rigged GriGri on every toprope opt for the Pilot instead due to the cost savings. It also shaves a couple of ounces off your rack, so if you're looking to lighten up all of your gear, this will help you towards that goal.go to full review

The Mad Rock Lifeguard is a compact belay device that does fill a niche need for those who prefer to belay with an assisted braking device no matter the situation but want something a little smaller for long routes.go to full review

If you're tired of climbing in stiff, insensitive shoes, and your toes of steel think they can handle something softer and more sensitive for all-day rock climbing action, check out the Quantum. Wide footed climbers will find this versatile shoe incredibly comfortable. Climbers on the lookout for a more supportive shoe should consider the Scarpa Vapor V, a narrower, stiffer shoe that excels in cracks. We couldn't help but think about the Huber Brothers raging up El cap while we wore them. If..." go to full review

The Tarifa is a well-designed shoe for a narrow foot. If your feet look more like skis and less like snowshoes, they might be your ticket to send town. Most of the shoes we tested are geared towards a wider foot. Wider shoes tend to be better for crack climbing but can leave narrow footed folks with an insecure, cumbersome fit. For our testers with slender feet, the Tarifa quickly became their weapon of choice.go to full review

In the past, Aliens have been hard to get. A shipment would show up in the Yosemite Mountain shop and they'd be sold out in a couple days. They were also subject to manufacturing inconsistencies and recalls. Thanks to Fixe, we now have unfettered access to the sweetest little finger sized cams out there, plus narrower heads and less weight than the originals. These are the lightest of the narrow-headed cams in our review, and our testers found them very easy to place. Our lead tester never..." go to full review

We're happy to see climbing shoe manufacturers trying to increase performance without raising the price. We hope to see more shoes like the X1. These are great for gym climbing, and are a huge step up from cheap, entry-level climbing shoes like the Evolv Defy and the Black Diamond Momentum.go to full review

The Petzl Selena didn't score very high in our tests primarily because it didn't fit the majority of our testers. There is a segment of the female climbing population that it does fit well though, so you may love the fit and comfort of this model.go to full review

There is nothing wrong with Edelrid Jayne II, but it didn't stand out enough in any one particular way to win an award in our review. It is comfortable and fairly versatile though, and may just be the perfect fit for you!go to full review

The Arc'teryx FL-355 is a head-turner, no doubt about it. Every time we brought it out to a crag, the ladies (and even men) were curious to try it on and give it a whirl. While it has a remarkable design, it didn't quite fit the bill for us when it came to comfort and fit. This could still be the best option for you if the fit is right, and it's nice and compact as well for alpine routes or traveling.go to full review