Climbing
From climbing shoes to helmets, our climbing experts test the best from Petzl, Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, La Sportiva, Scarpa, and more
We put all of these shoes to the test through all types of climbing routes.
Credit: Matt Bento
Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. Let our team of climbing experts help you find exactly the right shoes, harness, and rope for your needs and budget. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review ratings make it easy for you to make smarter, more informed, purchase decisions every time.
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Best Pick Reviews in Climbing
Best Climbing Gear of 2022
Looking for the best climbing gear we've ever tested? Come check out our hand-selected list of the top gear of 2022.
Best Climbing Shoes of 2022
We pick the best rock climbing shoes for bouldering, sport, trad, gym, kids, and beginners. No matter your budget, we have a pick for you.
Best Climbing Shoes for Women of 2022
We've weeded through dozens of climbing shoes to select to top contenders on the market. We have specifically selected only women's models for this review and have climbed countless...
Best Rock Climbing Shoes for Kids of 2022
With a lack of thorough kids' climbing shoe reviews, we researched over 40 of the top models, purchasing the best 10 to put through our testing process. Our expert testers decided to help...
Best Approach Shoes of 2022
Looking for a new pair of approach shoes? We've got you covered. We scrambled, bouldered, sport climbed, and hiked around the Eastern Sierras in 14 different pairs of sticky rubber...
Best Approach Shoes for Women of 2022
If you're on the hunt for a great pair of women's approach shoes, we've got the information you need. Whether you're gearing up for a long mission in the alpine or a casual day at the...
Best Climbing Harness of 2022
After analyzing over 50 harnesses, we bought the best 12 for extensive side-by-side testing. From versatile all-arounders to specialty harnesses designed for sport or trad climbing, our...
Best Climbing Harnesses for Women
These eleven climbing harnesses have been designed specifically for women and put to the test by our team of female testers. They've worn these harnesses through gym sessions and multi-day...
Best Climbing Harness for Kids of 2022
Looking for a new climbing harness for a kid crusher in your life? Our expert testers spent months putting 10 of the best available kids' harnesses through the ringer. We answer all the...
Best Climbing Belay Device of 2022
If you're roping up, you're going to need a belay device. But which one is the best? We exhaustively tested 17 of the top models at popular climbing areas all over the world to bring you...
Best Climbing Helmet of 2022
Looking for the best climbing helmet to meet your needs? We've thoroughly tested 12 of the best and most popular choices side-by-side so we can recommend the best helmet for any person, or...
Best Rock Climbing Rope of 2022
We tested 11 of the best ropes available on the market today to give our recommendations for any climbing purpose, from top-roping to sport climbing, for long alpine routes to workouts at...
Best Rope Bags for Climbing of 2022
Looking to keep your rope safe while you climb and travel? We bought and tested 9 of the best rope bags available to help you find the best one for your needs.
Best Locking Carabiner of 2022
The locking carabiner is a fundamental part of any rock climber's rack, but there are so many out there that shopping can get confusing. We make recommendations for the budget-conscious...
Best Carabiner of 2022
We wanted to find out which carabiner was the best, so we've updated our old review to look at some of the newer products out there, and compared them to some classic performers. Even...
Best Quickdraws for Climbing of 2022
Looking for a new set of quickdraws to round out your sport climbing kit? We can help. We selected 14 sought-after models of draws and put them to the test...
Best Climbing Gloves of 2022
Want to keep your hands safe while climbing? Whether you're rappelling, belaying, jamming cracks, or aid climbing, gloves are a critical tool that can leave your hands unscathed.
Best Hangboard of 2022
Looking for the best hangboard? Hang on as we assess the best training boards out there. Our team of experts spent months working hard to bring you the best hangboard for whatever your...
Best Climbing Chalk of 2022
Looking for the right chalk for climbing? We sifted through the myriad of available chalk products and selected the best 12 for a side-by-side comparison so you'll be able to decide which...
Best Bouldering Crash Pad of 2022
Looking for a new pad? This review examines the best 12 models on the market to help you find the right model for your needs and environment. Our expert testers carried, climbed, and...
Best Slackline of 2022
Looking to upgrade your current rig or new to slacklining? We tested 12 of the highest-ranked slacklines on the market today to help you find the right line for your favorite style.
Best Climbing Cams of 2022
Building a rack of cams can be confusing and expensive, especially if you're just starting out. We're here to help you discern your needs and choose wisely. We've put 10 of the top models...
Best Climbing Nuts and Stoppers of 2022
We researched the best climbing nuts and chose the top options to test side by side for months on end. We tested both versatile and specific use options to bring you...
Best Nut Tools for Climbing of 2022
We took the best nut tools and tested them at cleaning a variety of cams and nut types in all sizes and over a broad spectrum of rock types. We compared their weight, durability, ability...
Best Climbing Slings and Runners of 2022
Climbing slings are an invaluable piece of climbing gear that help protect you while leading and attach you to the anchor on multi-pitch climbs. Choosing the right ones to buy improves...
Best Climbing Backpack of 2022
Looking for a climbing backpack for your multi-pitch adventures? We tested the top climbing packs to determine which was the most durable, comfortable, and versatile...
Best Mountaineering Backpack of 2022
For this review, our seasoned field testers took out a collection of the industry's leading mountaineering backpacks and assessed their performance in the terrain for which they are...
Best Mountaineering Boots of 2022
Trying to find the best mountaineering boot? We've got you covered. Our testers reviewed 7 of the top products on the market...
Best Mountaineering Boots For Women of 2022
Are you a woman in search of a mountaineering boot? We tested some of the best mountaineering boots for women, climbing steep ice routes, rugged rock routes, and challenging approaches...
Best Big Wall Climbing Harness of 2022
We compare the best big wall harnesses on the market to find you the best option for your next Grade V or Grade VI wall.
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 incredibly useful tool. We tested a few models to help you choose the...
Best Haul Bags for Big Wall Climbing of 2022
We compare some of the best haul bag options to help find the right one for any size and style wall climb.
Finding the Perfect Big Wall Aiders
From El Cap to Baffin Island, we tested 9 of the top aiders on the market to see which performed the best for big-walling. We tested each contender across five metrics...
Best Gaiters of 2022
We tested a dozen pairs of the top gaiters on the market to help you choose which ones to take on your next trail run, trek, or mountaineering adventure. After rigorous hands-on testing...
Best Ice Axes of 2022
What's the best ice axe for mountaineering? We tested the best products and compared them head-to-head across a series of metrics, analyzing each one's performance.Recent Gear Reviews in Climbing
Editors' Choice
Climbing Packs
The North Face Route Rocket Review
Streamlined and practical, this pack dispenses with unnecessary features. That means there are few options for strapping kit to the outside of the pack, but...
Best Buy
Climbing Shoes - Men's
La Sportiva Finale Review
Dedicated climbers can tear through a few pairs of shoes each, and with climbing shoe prices what they are, the costs can rise quickly. In comes the La Sportiva Finale
Editors' Choice
Approach Shoes - Women's
La Sportiva TX2 - Women's Review
This is an all-around awesome shoe, perfect for boulderers and alpine scramblers alike. With a great climbing ability, superior comfort, and an incredibly lightweight design, the TX2 is...
Editors' Choice
Approach Shoes - Men's
La Sportiva TX2 Review
The TX2 takes our Editors' Choice and runs with it, making it by far our favorite approach shoe on the market. This shoe climbs and hikes equally well, all while being super lightweight.
Best Buy
Climbing Shoes - Men's
La Sportiva Tarantulace Review
Climbing gear already costs a ton. Do you really need to spend a couple hundred dollars on a pair of shoes? The answer is no. For many climbers the small performance benefits of premium shoe
Best Buy
Climbing Ropes
Beal Booster III Review
The Beal Booster III 9.7mm is a great rope with a reasonable price tag. It has a low impact force rating and soft catches, but wasn't the best for top-roping.Climbing Learning Center
Men's Rock Climbing Shoe Buying Guide
Finding the best shoe for various types of adventures can be an overwhelming task. We're here to help. From sport climbing to trad climbing to bouldering,
How to Choose the Right Ice Axe
How do you choose an ice axe? Here are some key factors to consider when buying an ice axe for mountaineering. Length I often see people with ice axes that are too big for them. Somehow...
How to Choose a Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing Backpack
If the ice axe is the posterchild of mountaineering, the backpack is our unsung hero. Mountaineering backpacks must carry everything, climb comfortably, and hold up to miles of abuse, all...
How to Choose the Best Climbing Cams
A camming device is often referred to as a "camming unit" or often just a "cam." Very few people refer to them by their complete name: Spring Loaded Camming Device or SLCD. The name comes...
How to Choose a Belay Device for Rock Climbing
In the early days 'climbing' meant mountaineering and a 'belay device' was simply your body. Throw a loop of rope around your hips and use quick reflexes and mighty hand strength to keep...
Climbing Rope Buying Guide
The foundation of the basic rock climbing belay system is the climbing rope, yet shopping for one can be a bewildering task. There are so many manufacturers with so many models; plus...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
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