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...
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 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 Bouldering Crash Pad of 2023
Looking for a new pad? This review examines the best 12 models on the market to help you find the right model for your...
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...
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...
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...
Thule Force XT XL Review
This is a solid cargo box that stands out for its durable construction, spacious design, simple mounting system, and...
Trango Antidote Review
The Antidote features a large tarp at 48"x 60" (121cm x 152cm) and a tarp window to see what cord you have within...
Black Diamond Super Chute Review
For folks who want a rope bag with lots of space, this model should be on your radar. The burrito-style design lends...
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