Climbing Must-Haves from MEC for the Labour Day Long Weekend

The long-awaited Neox has arrived, and it will be a game-changer for climbers who prefer a more traditional and, some say, intuitive tube-style hand sequence when belaying. The Neox capitalizes on a unique camming wheel design that allows climbers to quickly and easily feed and take in rope, reducing the chances of shorting your partner during those desperate clips. The design is so slick that it allows for effortless feeding of the rope without resorting to more complex hand sequences that are often required with other assisted braking devices. The Neox is optimized for ropes ranging from 8.9 mm to 10.5 mm, but will also accommodate ropes as thin as 8.5 mm as well as thicker cords to 11 mm. Constructed with stainless steel in high-wear areas with aluminum side plates, the Neox is an excellent, durable and easy-to-use belay device for lead climbers and top roping.

One of the biggest challenges many climbers face, whether they are bouldering or climbing routes, is adequately warming up their fingers before attempting their project. This becomes more of a problem in areas that lack a sufficient number of easier routes. Thankfully, the YY Vertical La Baguette Hangboard offers the perfect solution to this dilemma. Featuring a reversible design, the La Baguette Hangboard offers six different grip positions with two angle settings, allowing you to fully warm up your fingers before jumping on your project. The board’s minimalist shape makes it easy to carry into the crag, while the rope suspension system allows you to hang it off a bolt or tree.

The innovative Blue Ice Alpine Runner is an excellent alternative to traditional loop runners. Consisting of a durable Polyethylene core with a UV and abrasion-resistant sheath, the Alpine Runner reduces weight and bulk when compared to traditional slings. The design also simplifies racking and deployment, and allows for easier and faster anchor building. The Alpine Runner is available in three sizes ranging from 35 cm all the way up to 110 cm and should be a part of every multi-pitch and alpine climber’s rack. Get some; you won’t be disappointed.

Looking for a shoe that you can comfortably wear during extended climbing sessions? Then check out the new Scarpa Origin VS. Built on a slightly asymmetric flat last and featuring gentle tensioning, the Origin VS delivers a very reasonable level of performance without the toe-crushing fit encountered with many higher-end specialized shoes. Scarpa specs a dual-layer microfiber upper that further increases comfort while minimizing the stretch that’s frequently found in all-leather uppers. For rubber, Scarpa has chosen their super sticky S-72 compound and applied it on the sole, the toe patch and the heel. The result is exceptional grip when standing on small holds or during the hooking shenanigans encountered with modern route setting. Finally, a single Velcro strap closure provides additional security and control while allowing easy removal. If you are a new or intermediate climber looking for a comfortable shoe, look no further.

The Camalot C4 cams have become industry standards for a good reason; they work. They may not be the lightest cams, but their time-tested dual-axle construction provides solid holding power and surprising expansion range. The current design has been refined, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in weight and improved ergonomics (trigger bar) when compared to previous versions. The three largest sizes (#4, #5, #6) now come with a trigger keeper that keeps the lobes retracted for easy racking, and can be quickly disengaged when placing the cam. Throw in a chunky 19 mm nylon sling, and you have one of the most durable and versatile cams available today.

The Mammut Comfort Fast Adjust harness is the ideal option for climbers seeking a one-stop harness solution for various climbing situations. Featuring a wide, plushly padded waist belt with laser-cut vent holes, the Comfort Fast Adjust does an admirable job of providing support and breathability during hanging belays or when working crux moves. The leg loops have similar construction, so not surprisngly, they offer similar comfort and support. Other less obvious comfort-enhancing details include soft edges on the hip belt to minimise chaffing and split-webbing construction for better support and weight distribution. Mammut specs four generous gear loops and also adds four ice-clipper slots for climbers venturing out during the winter. Finally, smoothly operating Fast Adjust buckles on the waist and leg loops ensure a perfect fit, while the wear indicator at the tie-in point lets you know when it’s time to replace the harness.

With their narrow four-lobe design and highly flexible single stem, the Z4 cams are the perfect choice for challenging placements. Yet unlike other super-flexy cam designs, the Z4 cams feature a unique stem and trigger construction that prevents the cam from flopping about when being placed. The result is faster and more accurate deployment from desperate stances. Once placed, the Z4 cams can then easily flex in any direction, assuring correct loading during a fall. Other notable details include sandblasted lobes for greater holding power and a burly Dynex sling for exceptional durability. If you spend any time climbing thin cracks, you’ll appreciate the Z4 cams.

If your fall and winter plans include some ice and alpine climbing, you need to check out the MEC Rockwall Midlayer. This slim-fitting hoody is built with a thermal stretch fleece fabric that easily layers under a shell and delivers just the right amount of warmth and breathability during difficult climbing. The garment’s longer sleeves, articulated fit and built-in stretch ensure easy movement when swinging ice tools or reaching for the next hold. The Rockwall also has a low-profile hood that provides additional warmth and easily fits under a helmet. Other notable details include two zippered hand-warmer pockets and one zippered chest pocket for storage for small essentials, while the adjustable hem drawcord seals out cold drafts.

Yes, they’re a bit specialized, but once you’ve placed the Z4 Offset cams, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Suddenly, pin scars and irregular cracks can be easily protected. And thanks to the Z4 construction, these offset cams have a single stem that’s engineered to be sufficiently rigid when retracting the cams while allowing enough flex to exploit challenging placements and reduce walking. Throw in a narrow four-lobe design and sandblasted lobes for greater holding power, and it becomes clear that the Z4 Offset cams are a must-have addition to any trad rack.

If you are just starting out and want a durable helmet at a reasonable price, consider the Half Dome. The helmet features a burly Polycarbonate shell for plenty of protection from rock fall and bumps. Inside, BD adds a piece of impact-absorbing EPS foam for additional safety. Black Diamond uses an easy-to-adjust dial headband, and the women’s version features a cut-away to accommodate ponytails.

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