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Gear Review Summary |
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Products sorted by Overall Rating score |
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Street Price |
Score 0-100 |
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|
 | | Petzl GriGri 2
The Petzl GriGri 2 was recalled shortly after its introduction, undermining enthusiasm for this upgrade to the original Petzl GriGri. We like the GriGri 2 -- it is our favorite device for belaying a leader or toproping -- but the GriGri 2 recall has...
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$95
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| | Trango Cinch
This is a great auto assist belay device that we liked more and more the longer we spent with it. It has a simple design that reduces its weight and bulk compared to the GriGri. It also pays out rope exceptionally smoothly once you figure it out. Ove...
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$70
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| | Petzl GriGri
The Petzl GriGri had our Editor's choice award until the GriGri 2 came around. The GriGri 2 now gets the honor. But do you need to upgrade right away? Read our Petzl GriGri 2 Review to find our more....
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$95
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| | Wild Country VC Pro 2
Wild Country packs more features into the VC Pro 2 for $17 than competitors give you in their base model manual belay device. The VC Pro 2 is a great, compact, belay/rappel device and earns the medal as our Best Buy. If if you are looking for a devic...
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$17
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| | Petzl Reverso 3
Petzl's Reverso 3 is probably the best all-around belay device we tested for multi-pitch climbing. It's lightweight, compact and great for belaying in auto–block mode (off the anchor) or directly off the climbing harness. It is not cheap, but i...
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$35
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| | Black Diamond ATC Guide
The Black Diamond ATC Guide is a tough rappel/guide’s belay device. The ATC Guide works great for belaying a leader off the waist and off the anchor in auto-block mode. It is more affordable than the Petzl Reverso 3 and more durable, but not as smoot...
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$28
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| | Black Diamond ATC XP
The Black Diamond ATC XP scored the highest for a manual belay device for belaying a leader. It offers more friction control than its predecessor, the ATC. The friction slots “offer three times greater hold and stopping power,” according to BD. What ...
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$24
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| | Metolius BRD
The Metolius BRD is composed of hard–anodized 6061 T-6 aluminum – it’s tough. The BRD also has the best friction control of any device tested in its class due to a unique curve in it tube stock. It is built similarly to the old Tuber belay device in ...
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$20
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| | Mad Rock Mad Lock
The Mad Lock is one of the most versatile belay devices we tested and one of the lightest devices for belaying off the anchor. It was the smoothest device for belaying two 10mm ropes, simultaneously, in auto-block mode. Essentially, this became our p...
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$20
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| | Petzl Verso
The Petzl Verso is the lightest and most expensive of all the manual belay devices tested. It has the same superior smoothness as the popular Reverso 3 – which is the Verso plus additional auto block clip–in point – but is much smaller. The Verso has...
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$26
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| | Black Diamond ATC
Unless you started climbing only within the last several years, chances are you’ve owned a Black Diamond ATC belay device. This is the archetypical manual belay device. Even with all the new devices on the market, this is still a great one. The ATC i...
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$19
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| | Mammut Smart Belay Device
The Mammut Smart is the lightest and lowest price auto-locking belay device on the market. It is also recommended by the manufacturer for use with cords smaller than those for a GriGri or Cinch (see more about that below). It is low profile, has a si...
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$30
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| | DMM V Twin
This is the only belay device we tested that is made of stainless steel — most others use some form of aluminum. This gives the device a burly feel and cool look that sets it apart. It is the only device with friction teeth that don't wear down. DMM ...
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$26
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| | Kong GiGi
No, this isn't a GriGri. The Kong GiGi was the first auto blocking belay device on the market (auto blocking means catching automatically when belaying directly off the anchor from above). Though it is used commonly among rock and alpine guides...
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$14
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