Best rope climber device 0-9. 5 pounds) – or less. It is useful for single-pitch climbing (lead or top-rope), gym climbing, moderate multi-pitch, and even aid climbing and ice top-roping. Use the top hand to feed rope through the device while the bottom hand controls the speed. Tips: Use a GriGri on one strand and a progress capturing device on the other. After the device has cammed and braked the rope, the Grigri does all the “hard work” of holding the rope. Its ability to secure up to 8. May 5, 2025 · A belay device is essential for catching falls anytime you're climbing on a rope. If you’ve top roped a bit and are jumping into lead climbing we think the Beal Birdie is the best beginner belay device for lead climbers. Apr 4, 2025 · The Mammut 9. For top-roping, a belayer takes slack out of the system through the device to keep the rope taut. Summary. All of the devices in our review were able to easily slide with three big lockers – a total weight of 246 grams (approximately 0. May 21, 2024 · Of all the devices we tested, the BD Index and Edelrid Hand Cruiser performed the best, smoothly ascending with only a lightweight locking carabiner at the end of the rope. Sep 14, 2020 · Best Beginner Belay Device For Lead Climbing. You will need 2 devices, attach one to each strand of rope and climb, feeding rope as you go. The Akimbo features rope contact surfaces (Upper and Lower Bollards) that adjust to accommodate a wide range of rope sizes to suit the climber's needs or pr Jul 25, 2023 · Belaying a Lead Climber. Dec 5, 2024 · Each climber should have a tube-style device for rappelling, and the lead climber may carry an auto-blocking tube device to belay the following climber rather than using an ABD. DESCRIPTION The Akimbo is a unique arborist climbing tool that enables the climber to ascend, descend and position on both stationary rope and moving rope systems. For a tube-style device, put both hands on the brake strand and slightly raise the strand to lessen the angle between it and the device. It’s inexpensive enough that beginners shouldn’t shy away from it, and it has the right specs to serve Feb 3, 2022 · Skinny 9. Aug 18, 2023 · The rope walking technique is the most efficient way to make a long ascent without a powered ascender, so anytime frequent rope ascents are necessary within the canopy it is best to avoid using a device or system (like most rope access descenders) that cannot easily be integrated with a rope walking system. Apr 28, 2025 · Wait until the climber is comfortably weighting the harness and the rope. It is important that these devices feed smoothly without allowing the accumulation of slack. 2mm climbing rope; Assisted braking belay device; Anti-cross loading belay device carabiner; 4-6 nonlocking smooth-nosed carabiners; The Best Climbing Ropes of 2025 Climbing. 5 ($329) is our favorite rope for most types of climbing. But which one is the best? Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds. 9-11mm ropes, for example, is just one rare versatile quality that it has to offer. In the event of a fall, the climber typically only falls the length of the rope’s dynamic stretch. Find the halfway point in your rope and tie a super 8 and clip that into your anchor with lockers. Here are the best belay devices: Petzl GriGri 2; Black Diamond ATC-Guide; Edelrid Mega Jul; Petzl GriGri + Petzl Reverso Jul 11, 2024 · To use the device in "Reverso" mode once the leader has reached the belay and built an anchor, clip the large metal hole of the Reverso into the master point of the anchor, pull up the slack, feed a bight of rope (or two if top-belaying two climbers) through the rope slot(s), and clip a locking carabiner through the rope and keeper cable. It’s similar to an ATC to use, pays out slack easier than other assisted braking devices, and is easy for most to pick up. Dec 16, 2022 · Belay devices are used in top rope and lead climbing. Feb 12, 2024 · The quality and versatility of the Petzl Grigri 2 have made it one of the best belay devices of the year and a popular choice amongst climbers. When I say that the PIRANA is the best all-around rappel device, I mean it’s the best for different situations in which you’ll need to rappel. Falling with slack in your system will significantly increase the forces that these devices put on your rope, which can result in the de-sheathing of your rope in extreme cases. Whether you’re canyoning in Utah or lowering from a sport climb in Ceuse, the PIRANA will get you down the rope. For example, in the case of a lead fall, the rope pulls upward on the GriGri Apr 27, 2021 · Guide mode is a large part of why climbers buy these devices, so although the Reverso scored well, we can’t recommend it over the ATC-Guide (unless those last 29g are really going to make the difference for your day). . Coil the ends of your rope so that it's hanging from itself (2 coils, 1 Nov 6, 2022 · Tube-style belay devices like the ATC control the speed of the rope by creating friction and providing an edge that a belayer uses to leverage the rope. An ABD for belaying the leader and an auto-blocking device are the perfect pair of belay devices for a climbing team on a multi-pitch route. One of the best uses for a Grigri is belaying a leader climber. 5 Crag We Care Classic costs significantly less than the rest of the competition, making it a no-brainer for climbers looking for a good deal on a climbing rope. The friction from the device and the top rope anchor stops the climber from going much further. The result is a comprehensive comparison-t Sep 21, 2023 · The GriGri uses an internal mechanism to pinch the climbing rope anytime the rope is pulled quickly through the device. In top rope climbing, as the climber advances upwards, the partner belaying takes in slack and pulls the rope down over the edge of the ATC into the braking plane, so they are ready to arrest a Jun 6, 2025 · The Mammut Alpine Protect 9. The smoothest feeding devices use a pulley paired with a ribbed or toothed cam. Grigris are great for belaying lead climbers because the device blocks and helps you arrest the fall when the climber falls. zlg swjme ywliia oqznx ihor jrzis nijx fuqj cetsqn vtaszb