Climbing Gear
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Archive
Six testers tried 22 climbing accessories. These ones came out on top.
This equipment will keep your four-legged spotter safe while you’re on the wall
When Drew Hulsey started climbing, he weighed 300 pounds and wondered if the ropes would hold. He found out that they would, and found a community that embraced him. Now he sets an example that inspires others to join him.
The Metolius anchor draw held up surprisingly well in our field testing
It breathes and wicks sweat better than any other midlayer I’ve tested
The company sponsors some of the best athletes in the world, from Emily Harrington to Alex Honnold, all of whom are vying for a slice of the brand’s annual budget to support their expeditions. The process can be as competitive as getting into an Ivy League university—except, if approved, the athletes are often taking on death-defying adventures.
There are more climbing-shoe companies out there than ever before
Tools for trying hard on all projects
Alex Honnold and Black Diamond are out to make climbing iconic areas like El Cap and Devils Tower "a little bit more mellow"
Editor Jeremy Rellosa talks about when it's time to replace your climbing rope, quickdraws, harness, climbing shoes, and helmet
The goal: test Decathlon's budget-friendly beginner climbing gear
Hint: your first investment should be rock-climbing shoes
Black Diamond gave us the lowdown on its brand-new line of approach shoes, which includes two technical and two lifestyle models
Whether you're looking for deals on gear or an inside line on your dream trip, the perfect group is just a click away
Be cautious, but don't let small things scare you away from a deal
Outside's Samantha Yadron tells the story behind how she ended up with two pairs of these convertible pants
The Tension Flash Board is a crag essential
Soft and sensitive, the Scarpa Furia S is ideal for steep sport routes and technical boulder problems
Gear editor Ariella Gintzler walks us through new 2019 gear from Gregory, Outdoor Research, and Scarpa.
Gear editor Emily Reed walks us through the clever features of the Moon Bouldering Bag.
Tough fabrics, comfortable suspension, and intelligent gear storage make these haulers stand out
Show the other players who’s best at pulling on plastic
Days after the big-box retailer announced its new Premium Outdoor Store, at least five brands have dropped from the site
Yesterday, the big-box retailer launched a new gear site with Black Diamond as one of its featured brands, allegedly without permission
The first-of-its-kind approach shoe returns in spring 2019
Save your climbing hands with these four salves
The first of its kind, the Revo is a belay device with a true auto-locking mechanism.
This detachable anchor system makes a bold yet unnerving promise to deliver full-length, single-rope rappels. Is it the holy grail for rappelling or an accident waiting to happen?
At USU, students in the country’s first program for gear designers aren’t just learning how to sew a bestselling jacket. They’re being groomed to lead the industry’s next big political and environmental fights.
Still dominant on the crag at 36, Sharma reflects on his greatest climbs and how those lessons have helped him break into the business world
Before Amazon and big-box stores, mountain shops like Eastside Sports dotted the West. Now, it's one of the last survivors.
The writer and film producer reveals her favorite tried-and-true women’s gear for the crag
12 pieces of essential gear chosen by our resident climber
From hemp oil to ginger tea to earplugs, here’s what the climber and BASE jumper can’t live without
Watch to find out what climber and gear editor Will Egensteiner thinks about BD's first shoe, the gym-specific Momentum.
Gary Rall opened a rock gym 29 years ago. Then he helped invent indoor climbing.
Black Diamond just dropped the best product launch joke of all time.
Welcome to professional climber Cedar Wright’s Boulder gear shed, or, as he calls it, his “discombobulated junk show.” It’s also an adventure athlete’s paradise packed into a one-car garage that’s bursting with ice climbing, paragliding, big-wall climbing, and biking equipment stacked in neat—and not so neat—piles.
Five surprising pieces of gear that make road life even better
Here's the high-end climbing equipment you'll need to haul yourself up the side of a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan
Pinches. Slopers. Jugs. Baby heads? Ever stop to wonder who makes the holds bolted to the wall at your local climbing gym? These guys do.
Some people throw their gear in a corner of the garage. Others have dedicated gear rooms that are so stacked and organized they look like retail shops. We asked our Instagram followers to submit photos of their tricked-out storage spaces. Here are our 12 favorites.
Fashion meets performance in these retro-inspired kicks
Most ice axes are made from metal—and for good reason. But last month, the geniuses at Furnace Industries launched their new wooden tool that’s as strong as it is pretty. While you may be tempted to just hang it over the fireplace, please don’t.
An increasing number of well-designed tools help rock climbers train more effectively
How to build a high-quality quiver on a budget
Tips from legend Lee Sheftel, who sent his first 5.14 after his 59th birthday
A portable sound system built for the demands of the outdoors
Patagonia's Jenna Johnson is on a mission to get women into high-tech gear that can take on real adventures.
The outdoor adventure company doesn't do girly. Their new women's gear is designed for adventurers, explorers, and athletes who play in the mountains for a living. Not surprisingly, the apparel works pretty well for the rest of us, too.
It’s rumored Game Of Thrones star Jason Momoa plans to open a brewery and rock gym in Detroit.
A smart probe that crowdsources snowpack data to tell you where it's safe to ski.
Would you buy a $400 tie—if it's been to the top of Everest?
The best part of waking up? The savory smell of bacon coming from your, uh, iPhone.
Grab your bell-bottoms and get ready for a party in the backcountry.
Whether you're an elite rock climber or just plain hard on your hands, these are the tips you need to keep your skin strong and healthy.
