REASONS TO BUY
Best tool for thin crack nut extrication
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Relatively heavy
Metolius Torque Review
A simple, classic design that is a jack of all trades
Credit: Metolius
RELATED: Best Nut Tools for Climbing
Our Verdict
Simple, strong, and effective, the Metolius Torque has everything we're looking for in a nut tool plus an awesome wrench feature for tightening bolts. Every company who puts out a nut tool cuts holes in them to reduce weight. Metolius makes their holes useful, accommodating bolts of four different sizes. We like the weight reduction and functionality all rolled into one solution. The Torque takes the Macgyvering spirit of the nut tool and goes a step further, creating a tool that performs its intended purpose, but also can be used to make climbs safer. To compare it to the competition, check out our review of nut tools.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Metolius Torque | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Nut Tool |  Good Balance of Performance and Weight | Lightest Nut Tool | ||
| Price | $17.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $19.99 at Public Lands Compare at 2 sellers | $20.00 List $19.95 at REI | $19.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $14.00 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If it ain't broke, don't fix it; but you could probably fix a few loose bolts with this classic design | Simple and effective for saving your stuck nuts and cams | Any lighter and we'd have some serious reservations about this tool's durability | The only tool that comes with its own keeper cord | This tool will do the job, but we prefer models with a built-in carabiner |
| Rating Categories | Metolius Torque | Black Diamond Wiregate | Metolius Feather | Wild Country Pro Key | CAMP USA Nut Tool |
| Nut Cleaning (35%) | |||||
| Cam Cleaning (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Metolius Torque | Black Diamond Wiregate | Metolius Feather | Wild Country Pro Key | CAMP USA Nut Tool |
| Weight | 2.30 oz | 1.62 oz | 0.74 oz | 3.84 oz | 2.64 oz |
| Length | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm |
| Leash | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Clip-in Biner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rounded End | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Torque is a tester favorite because it strikes a good balance of weight, durability, and functionality. For the ounce-counters, the Metolius Feather is a better choice with its sub-1-ounce weight. For a little less weight and durability, check out the Black Diamond Wire Gate nut tool.
Performance Comparison
Four holes make this toll lighter and are quite handy for tightening loose bolts.
Credit: Matt Bento
Nut Cleaning
Was Metolius the first company to add a blunted smashing surface to the end of a nut tool? We're not sure, but it would be in line with a lot of the innovative designs coming from the little Oregon-based company over the years. It's been copied for sure, appearing on tools from Wild Country and Black Diamond, but the Torque is the first place any of our testers can remember seeing it. This little rounded butt-end equals sweet relief for your palms, especially if you're slamming out nut after nut while cleaning long aid pitches.
Heavy torsion could bend this tool, but it's plenty strong for its intended use.
Credit: Matt Bento
Cam Cleaning
The Torque's business end is hooked for snagging cams that have walked far into the back of cracks by the trigger. Since it's constructed from stainless steel, our tester's felt they could pry away at stuck lobes without damaging our bending the tool. The very end of the tool is small enough to fit inside the holes in the lobes of the BD cams sizes .75 and up.
Fishing out a cam with the torque's hooked head.
Credit: Matt Bento
Ease of Handling
Nuts stuck again? Whip the Torque off your harness, clip it to the rope (which has some slack in because you're free climbing, and you're sending), and wail away on that nut till it's outta there. Drop the tool and the nut which are both conveniently connected to the rope, and crank away to the next position where you can rest and rerack. No keeper cord is necessary.
Though not the lightest tool, the torque doesn't have any sharp points and is hardly noticeable on the back of a harness.
Credit: Matt Bento
Durability
Like the Wild Country Pro Key, the Camp Nut Tool, and the BD Wiregate, the Torque is constructed from steel and is harder than aluminum nuts and cams, as well as many types of stone (something to consider while you're slamming away at fixed gear). You'd be hard-pressed to break this thing, whether you're using it for its intended or unintended purpose.
After a lot of bashing, the torque still looks pretty new.
Credit: Matt Bento
Weight
At 2.3 ounces, this tool is in the middle of the pack in terms of weight. We think the extra ounce that the Torque has on the Feather is worth carrying for the durability and wrench feature, so if you're only going to purchase one nut tool, this is the one.
2.2oz or 2.3oz? Our little scale flickered back and forth. This isn't a heavy nut tool, and the clip makes it so you don't need an extra carabiner.
Credit: Matt Bento
Value
Less than twenty bucks isn't too shabby for a useful device that will save your expensive gear and potentially you snag you a free piece or two. Just don't drop it.
After over 2 years of use, the palm guard fell off.
Credit: Matt Bento
Conclusion
There are no gimmicks here with the Torque, just a well-designed little piece of equipment that needs to live on your trad rack. Whether you're new to the game or you're a seasoned “booty master”, you can't go wrong with this nut tool.
—
Matt Bento
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