The kit behind the climb.

Climbing equipment

Arc'teryx AR-395a Harness

An adjustable climbing harness for routes where clothing layers and leg-loop fit change through the day. Its broad waistbelt distributes load without relying on bulky padding.

Climbing equipment

Singing Rock Canyon XP Harness

An adjustable canyoning harness with a protective seat for abrasive, wet terrain. Reinforced construction is intended for repeated contact with rock and technical rope work.

Explore Singing Rock in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Ocún Bodyguard Full Body Harness

A full-body harness that supports the torso as well as the hips and legs. Adjustable buckles and clearly differentiated attachment loops make it useful for guided climbing and via ferrata use.

Explore Ocún in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Petzl Canyon Club Harness

A canyoning harness with an integrated, replaceable protective seat. Its single attachment point and adjustable webbing simplify fitting while protecting the harness and wetsuit from abrasion.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Black Diamond Solution Harness

A rock-climbing harness designed to distribute pressure across the waist and legs. Its low-profile construction balances freedom of movement with comfort while hanging or belaying.

Explore Black Diamond in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

CAMP Kinetic Rewind Pro Via Ferrata Set

A via ferrata set combining an energy absorber with elasticated arms and automatic-locking connectors. The retracting arms help keep excess webbing close while moving between cable anchors.

Climbing equipment

CAMP Kinetic GYRO Rewind Pro Via Ferrata Set

A via ferrata set with elasticated arms, an energy absorber and an integrated swivel. The swivel lets the arms rotate relative to one another, reducing twisting during repeated clipping.

Climbing equipment

Edelrid CABLE KIT VI Via Ferrata Set

A via ferrata set with elasticated lanyard arms and an energy absorber. Its compact arrangement keeps the connecting system manageable while moving along a protected route.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Edelrid CABLE COMFORT TRI Via Ferrata Set

A via ferrata set with a three-joint swivel, elasticated arms and palm-operated carabiners. The articulated connection is designed to reduce tangling as the arms change position along the cable.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Black Diamond Vision Helmet

A climbing helmet combining foam impact protection with a protective outer shell. Ventilation and low weight make it a practical helmet for long approaches and climbing days.

Explore Black Diamond in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Climbing Technology Ypsilon

Asymmetric Y-shaped webbing lanyard with two fixed arm lengths. A separate positioning component, not an EN 958 energy-absorbing Via Ferrata set.

Explore Climbing Technology in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Petzl Connect Adjust

A single adjustable positioning lanyard for connecting to an anchor and setting a comfortable working distance. The ADJUST device allows quick length changes; this is not a via ferrata energy-absorbing set.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Also included in the research list; already owned.

Climbing equipment

Petzl Trac Plus Professional Zipline

A tandem pulley designed for zipline travel. Its integrated attachment arrangement keeps the pulley and connector together for repeated handling in adventure-park use.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Kong Indy Evo Plus

A self-braking descender for controlled rope descent and technical rope work. The handle operates the descent mechanism, with an anti-panic function intended to interrupt descent if the handle is pulled too far.

Climbing equipment

Edelrid Rail Double Pulley

A double pulley for travel along suitable ropes or steel cables. The tandem arrangement helps it track along the line; the exact permitted cable and rope dimensions matter when selecting it.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

AustriAlpin FERRATA.BLOC

A supplementary braking device designed for particular via ferrata cable situations. It is an additional component rather than a replacement for a complete energy-absorbing via ferrata set.

Climbing equipment

Edelrid SKINNY GLOVE II

Close-fitting gloves for belaying and handling climbing ropes. The lighter construction favors tactile feedback and precise handling rather than insulation.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Edelrid WORK GLOVE CLOSED II

Mixed-finger climbing gloves: exposed thumb and index fingertips, with the other three fingers covered. My all-round choice for combining natural rock feel, equipment handling and cable coverage.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Black Diamond Stone Gloves

Half-finger leather gloves for belaying, aid climbing and other rope-handling tasks. Exposed fingertips help with knots and connectors while the palm remains protected.

Explore Black Diamond in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Black Diamond Transition Gloves

Full-finger leather gloves with a breathable stretch back. Designed for belaying and via ferrata, they combine hand coverage with flexibility around the fingers.

Explore Black Diamond in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Petzl CORDEX PLUS Gloves

Leather gloves with reinforced palms for sustained rope handling. Their combination of protection and dexterity is useful for belaying and rappelling without the bulk of a winter glove.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

La Sportiva TX4 GTX leather approach shoes

Original leather TX4 GTX approach shoes. My pair provides the rock grip I value, while prolonged standing on steel rungs and pegs can become uncomfortable.

Explore La Sportiva in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Smartwool Merino Wool Hiking Socks

Merino-blend hiking socks for managing moisture and cushioning the foot inside walking footwear. This entry covers the sock family; cushioning and fit depend on the specific pair.

Explore Smartwool in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Bridgedale Hike Midweight Merino Performance

Midweight merino-blend socks cut to sit above a hiking boot. Their cushioning makes them useful for longer walks where the boot, sock and foot need to work together comfortably.

Explore Bridgedale in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Julbo Shield Sunglasses

Mountain-oriented sunglasses with removable side shields to limit peripheral light. Lens options differ, so the frame name alone does not identify the tint or protection category.

Explore Julbo in the wider gear story.

Climbing equipment

Petzl Bug Backpack

A compact pack designed to carry climbing-day essentials without excessive bulk on the back. Its narrow profile is useful when moving on rock or wearing a harness.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Navigation & carry

Garmin GPSMAP 66i

A handheld GPS combining outdoor navigation with inReach satellite communication. Mapping and route tools work alongside messaging functions that require an appropriate satellite service plan.

Explore Garmin in the wider gear story.

Navigation & carry

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

A recommended Garmin multisport watch model for the navigation and activity-tracking side of the kit. Check the exact edition for mapping, communication and battery features before choosing a listing.

Explore Garmin in the wider gear story.

Navigation & carry

Garmin Fenix 6x Pro

A multisport GPS watch with mapping and training tools for outdoor activities. Wrist-based navigation and recorded activity data make it useful alongside a dedicated navigation device.

Explore Garmin in the wider gear story.

Navigation & carry

Osprey Archeon™ Chest Rig

A chest-worn organizer that keeps small essentials accessible without removing a backpack. It suits items such as a phone, compact camera or other frequently handled accessories.

Explore Osprey in the wider gear story.

Lanyards & carabiners

Petzl Vertigo Wire-Lock Carabiner

An automatic-locking carabiner designed for frequent opening and connection. Its large opening and ergonomic shape make handling easier when repeatedly moving a connector.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.

Also included in the research list; already owned.

Lanyards & carabiners

Climbing Technology K-Classic Carabiner

A large-opening carabiner for compatible climbing and via ferrata connection tasks. It is listed separately from the Ypsilon lanyard so the connector can be identified and compared on its own.

Explore Climbing Technology in the wider gear story.

Rope tools

Climbing Technology Rollnlock

A compact pulley and rope clamp for rope-handling systems. Its operating modes serve different tasks; use the manufacturer’s instructions to select the correct configuration.

Explore Climbing Technology in the wider gear story.

Rope tools

Edelrid Via Ferrata Belay Kit II

A belay kit designed for additional rope protection on suitable via ferrata terrain. It requires a competent belayer and is not a replacement for a via ferrata energy-absorbing set.

Explore Edelrid in the wider gear story.

Gloves

Petzl CORDEX Gloves

Lightweight leather belay and rappel gloves with a breathable stretch back. They balance hand protection with the dexterity needed for handling equipment.

Explore Petzl in the wider gear story.