Steven has been seeking out outdoor adventures across the US for the last 20 years. He has climbed Yosemite's El Capitan more than 10 times and climbed extensively throughout the Sierra Nevada, Spain and Alaska. When not rock climbing, Steven can be found on big backcountry ski links-ups and mountaineering adventures. In his tenure at Gear Lab he has reviewed over 200 individual products.
Author Profile
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Steven Tata
Senior Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 42 by Steven Tata
Best Climbing Gloves of 2023
Want to keep your hands safe while climbing? Whether you're rappelling, belaying, jamming cracks, or aid climbing...
10 Best Gloves of 2023
There's no wrong season for hand protection. Over the past 11 years, we've tested more than 200 of the best gloves for...
Best Rope Bags for Climbing of 2023
Looking to keep your rope safe while you climb and travel? We bought and tested 9 of the best rope bags available to...
Best Bouldering Crash Pad of 2023
Looking for a new crash pad? This review examines the best pads on the market to help you find the right model for...
Editors' Choice
Mad Rock Duo Review
This pad stands out because of a strap system that enables it to carry a second pad. This is a great feature for...
Top Pick
Mad Rock R3 Review
The best pad we tested for conforming to lumpy landings and for packing gear. It is also one of the best pads for...
Best Buy
Nikon Monarch M5 8x42 Review
Combing great optical quality and exceptional brightness with a mid-tier price, these bins are among the best pair...
Best Ascenders for Big Walls and Rescue
Whether you're on a big wall, traveling over glaciated terrain, or even rappelling at the crag, ascenders can be an...
Zeiss Victory HT 10x42 Review
With top notch optical quality the Zeiss Victory HT has everything you'd want form high-end bins, though the Swarovski...
Editors' Choice
Petzl GriGri+ Review
This upgraded device combines a familiar feel with a new set of unique features to increase the safety and...
How to Choose a Climbing Rope Bag
Are you baffled by the variety of rope bags available? If deciding which model to get feels as hard as your 5.14...
Best Buy
Metolius Dirt Bag II Review
A vast improvement over the original, this rope bag is our favorite option for value-driven climbers. It fulfills...
Top Pick
Black Diamond Full Rope Burrito Review
The Full Rope Burrito works well as a lightweight and minimal option for those that pack their rope into their crag...
Top Pick
Petzl Kab Review
The KAB earns a Top Pick Award for its standout performance as a gym climbing model. With a laptop compartment, sleek...
Leica Noctivid 10x42 Review
Leica offers top-of-the-line optical quality in the Noctivid, but slightly misses the mark on a couple of design...
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