The Mammut Infinity Protect Climbing Rope – 9.5mm is a durable, stiff, supple, and lightweight option that is versatile enough for a variety of climbing conditions. Despite some reports of shrinkage and not being the cheapest option on the market, this rope is a great choice for climbers who want a combination of stiffness and flexibility to withstand multiple climbing surfaces.
The Scarpa Instinct Climbing Shoe -XS Edge is a shoe that is well-loved for its high performance on edging and heel hooking, making it a good fit for sport climbs, bouldering, and overhangs. Although it requires a longer-than-normal break-in period, many users find this worth it for the snug heel fit, sensitive toe, and the good balance of stiffness and flexibility in the sole. While this shoe is not ideal for beginner climbers, more experienced climbers looking for a grippy and snug-fitting shoe are likely to find a lot of happiness in the Instinct.
The Tenaya Tarifa Climbing Shoe is a multifaceted, comfortable, and narrow option that can perform well on edging, bouldering, and slab climbing routes. The combination of stiffness and flexibility allows this to be a versatile choice for any level climber. The durability isn’t the best due to the flexible feel, and the sizing issues may cause some problems when buying, but if you are looking for a snug all-around option, this is a great choice.
The Petzl Arial Dry Climbing Rope – 9.5mm is a great option for climbers who mainly go ice-climbing and forego rough-terrain rock-climbing. The lighter weight, good feel, and adequate handling make this great for ice-climbing, but the conflicting reports about durability and wearing of the sheath make this not the best for tough rock-climbing routes.
The Black Diamond Shadow Climbing Shoe is a lightweight, precise, and snug shoe that provides a balance between aggressive shape and flexibility, allowing for versatility to use on a variety of climbing routes. The ample rubber on the heel and the toe section allows for toe and heel-hooking, while the lightweight upper keeps the shoe breathable, and flexible enough to balance out the aggressive shape.
The Mammut Infinity Dry Climbing Rope – 9.5mm is a great option for climbers who want a durable, safe, water-resistant, and versatile rope. The good feeling of the rope, combined with the high UIAA safety rating, makes this a solid choice for any level of climber, while the stiffness provided comes down to personal preference.
The Butora Acro Wide Fit Climbing Shoe is great for those with wider feet who want a comfortable, toe-hooking, and downturned climbing shoe, without worrying about heel-hooking problems. The limited breathability and heel-hook ability may deter some intense outdoor climbers, but the adequate toe rubber, proficiency on smearing and edging, and downturned shape will suit most climbers.
The Edelweiss Curve ARC 9.8mm Unicore Climbing Rope is a good option for climbers who want soft catches, versatility, and a high UIAA rating. The stiffness, difficulty of feeding through a belay device, and durability issues need to be taken into account, but still may suit those who want soft catches.
The Black Diamond 9.9 Rope is a reliable, versatile, and easy-to-use rope for a variety of climber levels in various climbing situations. After getting used to the thickness and hopefully avoiding any durability issues, most climbers will find the 9.9 rope to excel during many climbing problems.
The Petzl Grigri Belay Device is one of the most reliable and safe choices on the market today, with the safety lock allowing beginners and experts alike to efficiently use this belay device. The ease in feeding the rope through, after taking some getting used to, makes this a top choice in today’s climbing world.