 This Product
Edelrid Giga Jul | |||||
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| Awards |  Most Versatile |  Best Bang for the Buck | |||
| Price | $59.95 at REI Compare at 4 sellers | $29.88 at Amazon Compare at 4 sellers | $34.95 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 2 sellers | $25 List $24.95 at Amazon | $29.95 at Dick's Sporting Goods Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A unique combination of many different belay modes in one device | Simple, durable, and optimal value for multi pitch climbs | Ideal for alpine environments where the ropes are slim and the ounces count | Low price pairs well with the basic tube style design and reliability | Smooth rope handling and a simple design all packed in to a mere two ounces |
| Rating Categories | Edelrid Giga Jul | Black Diamond ATC G... | Petzl Reverso | Black Diamond ATC XP | Petzl Verso |
| Catch and Bite (30%) | |||||
| Lowering and Rappelling (30%) | |||||
| Feeding Slack (20%) | |||||
| Weight and Bulk (10%) | |||||
| Auto Block (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Edelrid Giga Jul | Black Diamond ATC G... | Petzl Reverso | Black Diamond ATC XP | Petzl Verso |
| Style | Passive assisted braking | Auto-block tube | Auto-block tube | Tube style | Tube style |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Single) | Assisted: N/A Manual: 8.6 mm - 9.1 mm |
8.9 mm - 11 mm | 8.5 mm - 10.5 mm | 9 mm - 11 mm | 8.5 mm - 11 mm |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Half) | Assisted: 7.9 mm - 9.2 mm Manual: 8.6 mm - 9 mm |
8.1 mm - 11 mm | 7.1 mm - 9.2 mm | 7.7 mm - 11 mm | 7.1 mm - 9.2 mm |
| Recommended Rope Diameter (Twin) | Assisted: 7.1 mm - 8.9 mm Manual: 7.1 mm - 9.2 mm |
8.1 mm - 11 mm | 6.9 mm - 9.2 mm | 8 mm - 11 mm | 6.9 mm - 9.2 mm |
| Weight (oz) | 4.3 oz | 3.2 oz | 2.2 oz | 2.2 oz | 2 oz |
| Double Rope Rappel? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Belay Off Anchor? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Assisted Braking? | Yes, passive | No | No | No | No |
The Giga Jul takes a standard autoblocking tube-style belay device and adds a slider that provides an assisted brake function. While all functions work well, the slider is a bit confusing to learn and isn't intuitive, making this device less suitable for handing to a partner without teaching them to use it first. Also, it is much heavier than other autoblocking devices, making it less suitable for climbs with long approaches or when weight is a consideration, unless you will also be carrying an assisted-braking device for lead belaying. In that case, it will save you weight.
Lead or top-rope belaying with the Giga Jul can be done in either assisted braking or manual mode. A slider bar along the top of the device must be positioned all the way on either end, denoting either manual or assisted mode, and then the rope must be loaded into the device in the correct manner depending on the mode, which is different for each. Luckily, there are the standard hand and climber pictures on each side of the device to denote which way to load it properly.
In manual mode, the device functions just like a standard tube and has some added friction grooves that help you catch and hold a falling climber. Compared to assisted braking modes and devices, this way of belaying requires the most effort and sustained gripping of the brake strand. In assisted braking mode, the rope is pinched between the carabiner and the device in much the same manner as almost every other passive assisted device. Although you must still hold onto the brake strand, the braking assist does most of the work, effectively locking the device when the climber falls, and easily holding their weight as they rest.
The performance of the Giga Jul for lowering and rappelling is once again dependent on which mode you are using. For rappelling, we preferred using manual mode with a prusik backup, as this is far and away the smoothest way to rappel, and feels just like any other tube-style device. We most often lowered climbers in assist mode, because that is how we usually belayed them. Lowering a climber in assist mode requires keeping upward pressure on the thumb loop, which takes a bit of effort and is fairly jerky. Rappelling in assist mode is similarly effortful and jerky, and we preferred not to do it. That said, we like it as an option in case we don't have a prusik for backup.
The optimal use of this device is on multi-pitch climbs, where you can belay the leader in assisted-braking mode. Then, you'll take the leader off belay when they get to the anchor, rather than lowering them in that mode, which is far from ideal. Then, when it's time to rappel from the top of the climb, simply flip the slider into “manual” mode, and rappel like any other tube-style device.
Feeding slack in manual mode with the Giga Jul is exactly like with any other tube-style device and uses the same techniques. This is the smoothest way to feed slack, and also the least likely for a belayer to accidentally short rope their leader. In brake assist mode, feeding slack requires looping the belayer's thumb through a special thumb loop, and then hold this loop up and out from the torso, to prevent the device from locking and keep the rope feeding smoothly. With the other hand, the belayer pulls slack through the device. It's important to use a round-stock carabiner with this device to reduce friction and prevent the device from locking up while pulling slack.
We like how the device is ambidextrous, so lefties can use it just as easily as righties. However, we did notice that when you pull some slack back in through the device, you take your thumb out of the loop to do so, and then must look down, away from your climber, to find the thumb loop once again.
The Giga Jul weighs 4.3 ounces, which is almost double the weight of other auto-blocking tube-style belay devices designed for multi-pitching. The added toggle switch adds a little bit of weight, but the main difference is in the stainless steel inserts in high wear areas, that ensure a longer life span for the Giga Jul. The lighter auto-block devices don't have that and are sure to wear out a bit quicker, so the added weight comes with the benefit of increased durability.
Some users may complain about the weight of this device, but increasingly, we are carrying two devices on long multi-pitch routes. We'll bring an active assisted-braking device for securely belaying the leader, and we'll also carry a lightweight auto-blocking tube-style device for belaying the follower and for rappelling. Since this one device can perform all of these tasks, users will save weight by carrying this device.
The Giga Jul can be clipped directly to the anchor for belaying up a second in auto-block mode. Of note is that the slider bar must be slid into manual mode for this usage, which is slightly confusing. But once in manual mode, it is set up and operated like any other auto-blocking belay device. There is slightly more friction when pulling slack through the devices compared with other “guide” style belay devices, which is a major drawback if you are going to use the device every day.
We found that the most efficient way to use this device in auto-block mode was with a round-stock carabiner like the Petzl Attache. This style of locking carabiner reduces the friction between the rope and the carabiner when pulling slack through while belaying the leader.
The Giga Jul is the most versatile belay device on the market, by far. For the price, this device is a great value. Whether you are belaying a leader in assisted-brake mode, rappelling down long routes with two ropes, or belaying a follower from above, this device performs every task that a belay device is ever asked to do. If you are looking for one device to carry every day on every climb, this is it. There are more specialized devices out there, but if you want a versatile device at a great price, look no further.
