The Tenaya Oasi Climbing Shoe is a combination of an aggressive and comfortable shoe, creating a great all-around choice for various climbing styles, both indoor and outdoor. The mixture of sticky rubber, adjustable straps, and a snug fit allow this shoe to be proficient at smearing, edging, and bouldering, although the exposed seam on the toe rubber may concern experts who frequently toe-hook.
The Scarpa Vapor Climbing Shoe is a powerful and comfortable option, that effectively combines precision and stiffness with flexibility, making this shoe suitable for various types of climbing. The ability of this shoe in terms of crack climbing, smearing, and technical climbing allows most climbers to excel with this shoe, although some experts may prefer a more aggressive option.
For an all-around rope suitable for all levels of climbers, the Mammut Eternity Classic Climbing Rope – 9.8mm is a great choice due to the soft catches, smooth feel, and compatibility with ATCs and GriGris. Although the rope is not extremely lightweight, it is a versatile option that is suitable for many types of climbing. The Eternity Classic 9.8mm is a workhorse rope that can accommodate most climbers.
The Edelweiss Canyon EverDry Static Rope – 9.6mm is specifically designed for use in canyoneering, and is water resistant for lightness and durability. This rope handles easily, even out of the box, but requires a soak before using, as there will be a small amount of shrinkage. All in all, this rope is a good value for the price and a great option for beginner cannoneers, and even those who would like to do a bit of top-roping, although there is too much stretch for use on lead climbing.
The Petzl Sarken Crampon calls itself “a crampon quiver of one,” and the people agree: this is the crampon you need if you only want one pair. With interchangeable parts and adjustments to fit many types of boots, the Sarken is suitable for all types of climbing and mixed mountaineering. The durability of the these crampons keeps them dependable for many years, and the snow plate keeps snow from piling up underneath. All in all, these are easy to use for many trips and are a good option for those who are buying their first pair of crampons and don’t know what adventures they will be going on.
The Metolius Ultralight TCU is a classic design that persists because it works well, and the ultralight upgrade makes it one of the lightest sets available. Easy to use and with smooth action, the Ultralight TCU offers good range and is an ideal fit for clean cracks in granite, as they can walk a bit in rougher scars. Even though these are very lightweight, they will hold up for years of hard use, especially with some regular maintenance, making the already reasonably-priced pieces worth the money.
The Edelweiss Energy ARC 9.5mm EverDry Climbing Rope is a durable, lightweight, and safe option for climbers who want versatility with multi-pitch, single-pitch, and trad routes. The thinner diameter remains secure and strong, while the bi-pattern provides an ease-of-use about the rope and a stylish look, making this a great option for both beginners and advanced users alike.
The Black Diamond Camalot C4 is an easy-to-use, durable, and reliable cam, that will aid any level of climber on the wall. Besides horizontal placements, this cam will perform proficiently in almost all other types of climbing scenarios, with easy color coding, a Trigger Keeper for organization, and double-axle design.
The Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe with Grip is a functional, versatile, and easy-to-use ice axe that has proven to be a good all-around option on the mountain. The less-aggressive shape in the pick makes it not ideal for steep terrain and hard ice, but for most mountain conditions, this axe is just what you need.
The Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro Crampon is a sturdy and versatile option for those who want to do it all with one piece of equipment. With the option to change toe bails and incredible durability, the Sabretooth can work well for ice climbing, mixed mountaineering routes, and glacier travel, and hold up to years of hard use. Although it can be difficult to get the right fit and customization on the initial purchase, once fitted, these crampons work well for most boots, although they will not work with all models. For those who do wear the Sabretooth, the ease of use and stability makes this model a perennial favorite.