The La Sportiva Futura Climbing Shoe forces your feet to do the dirty work themselves, but they get results, particularly when bouldering, and on steep and overhanging rock. With no edges, the shoes allow for more contact with the rock, and a more sensitive feel, but also do not allow for sloppy footwork, even though the rubber is grippy and the shoe snug. With an aggressive fit and a somewhat flexible sole, these are not suitable for beginners, and do not work well for all pitches, but will reward expert climbers who are willing to spend a bit of time re-learning how to climb well in these futuristic slippers.
The Metolius Mega Pack Hold Sets is designed for those looking to build their first climbing wall without spending too much money. It is convenient and cost effective. However, the simple nature of the product does come with a downside, which includes hold designs lacking in creativity and a tricky installation.
The La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoe is a versatile and middle-of-the-road design, that is proficient for edging, smearing, and heel-hooking. Those looking for a super aggressive and toe-hooking choice should look elsewhere, but this shoe works well on all other routes and pitches.
The Evolv Shaman Climbing Shoe is a versatile shoe that people love for its comfort in an aggressive style. Made with sticky rubber and a “love bump” to keep toes towards the front of the shoe in comfort, they are enjoyed most while bouldering, but make a good all-around shoe, especially for those just getting interested in an aggressive style. The fit can be fickle though, so try these shoes on before buying and be aware that, after a break-in period, they will stretch considerably.
Everyone loves a good cam, and almost everyone loves the Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight. These cams are 25% lighter than their predecessor, the beloved C4, and they feel like it, particularly in the larger sizes. The decreased weight does not compromise on quality, and these are still durable pieces that hold really well during falls and are easy to place and remove. These are not inexpensive, however, and the stiff stems may not be perfect for every placement, even though almost all reviewers covet the lightness and wish they could work in every crack.
The Scarpa Boostic Climbing Shoe is surprisingly comfortable given its high level of performance. The combination of a stiff design with a stretchy upper allows users to perform at a high level without having to suffer with painful feet. While these shoes don’t fit everyone’s feet, for those lucky enough to match, these shoes are a great choice.
The Petzl Micro Traxion Pulley is one of the smallest, lightest, and most efficient pulleys on the market, and yes, it is as good as it sounds. This versatile piece is incredibly lightweight while also offering 91% pulling efficiency and a fast catch when you need it. The grip is almost too reliable, and it can be quite difficult to undo the pulley, but the security it offers is worth it, especially for the ease of use compared to bulkier models.
The Petzl GriGri + Belay Device is a top-of-the-line option for all levels of climbers. The ‘anti-panic’ feature sets this apart from other similar models, which after enough practice, will enhance the safety of the climber and the confidence in the belayer.
The Five Ten Anasazi LV Climbing Shoe for women is built for low-volume feet, and runs smaller and narrower than typical climbing shoes. The shoe offers good, sticky rubber and a sole that performs exceptionally well on edging and small footholds, and is responsive to the rock. Their comfort is top-notch, although for an expensive shoe, it is not very durable and the rubber wears out quickly.
The Black Diamond Stopper Set #4-13 is a great set for people looking to build their trad rack with reliable, durable nuts. Although not suitable for flared cracks, they work well in most other settings and are easy to remove when finished. The color coding makes it easy to select the right piece, and the size range makes it perfect for almost any wall.