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By combining reasonable weight, a good all-around size, high strength and a keylock closure, Petzl hit a grand slam with the Spirit Express quickdraws. The current version employs a unique H-shaped biner profile that saves weight while retaining excellent strength ratings. Petzl has also shaved more grams thanks to the strategically placed holes on the biner body. Other notable details include a wide rope-bearing surface, subtle ridges on the straight gate for better grip, and a flattened bent gate surface that promotes significantly easier clipping. The variably woven dogbone (wide in the center and thin at the ends) ensures optimal loading of the carabiners while providing additional abrasion resistance when compared to narrower, more conventional slings. As a bonus, this extra width in the centre of the sling creates a great handle if you need to grab the draw when working a route. Finally, Petzl adds a rubber carabiner keeper (the String), which prevents the rope biner from shifting and offers additional abrasion protection. There are lighter and more specialized rigs on the market, but you’ll have a hard time finding a better quickdraw than the Spirit Express for difficult sport climbing and for all-around cragging.

Featuring a wide waist belt and supportive leg loops, the Sirana does an admirable job of providing comfort on long routes or when working sport climbs. Edelrid uses its unique Soft Frame construction that allows the harness to easily conform to your body while also reducing the packed size. Climbers who carry a large rack will appreciate the five useable gear loops (four on the XS size), and the ice-clipper slots provide additional versatility for winter climbing. For additional safety, Edelrid uses a contrasting red thread wear indicator at the tie-in points to let you know when you need to replace the harness.

Built with durable woven nylon fabric, the Ridgewalk Pants are perfect for backcountry climbing and hiking. The pants’ built-in stretch, in combination with a gusseted crotch and articulated knees, ensures you can move easily whether you’re stemming through a delicate crux or boulder-hopping your way to the base of a route. The men’s pants feature a full-zip fly with a low-profile snap waist closure with an internal drawstring for fit adjustments. The women’s pants eschew the fly and snap closure and instead use an elegant, low-profile pull-on design with a drawstring for adjustments. Pocket details are also slightly different between the sexes, with the men’s version sporting two slash pockets and zippered pockets in the back, while the women’s two front zippered pockets.

With its stripped-down design, The Basic Pad offers exceptional value without compromising protection during those unexpected bouldering falls. The pad features 4” of foam for plenty of impact absorption, while the angle hinge design simplifies folding and eliminates the dead space found in traditional hinged pads. Metolius includes a functional shoulder harness and belt for easy carrying, a simple aluminum buckle closure, and two drag handles. If you are looking for fancy pockets, additional straps, and carpeted shoe-cleaning mats, you may want to look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you want a well-made and affordable pad for starting out or a second to help fill out landings, look no further than The Basic Pad. It really is all you need.

With its supportive midsole and slightly downturned shape, the Geshido delivers exceptional performance and precision on small edges. Evolv starts with a vegan-friendly single-layer synthetic upper that ensures a relatively stretch-free fit for consistent performance for the full life of the shoe. Tensioning comes from a slightly thinner heel rand that provides the necessary power on small holds while remaining surprisingly comfortable on lower-angle terrain. For the midsole, Evolv employs a full-length 1.2mm plastic midsole that offers solid support on small edges and won’t break down with use like some midsole materials. Throw in a full-length slab of sticky Trax SAS and a Dark Spine heel for hooking and you have a great intermediate face climbing shoe.

The Session II may be the perfect pad for experienced pebble wrestlers or new boulderers who simply want a more feature-rich pad. With the 4”-thick Session II, Metolius employs its classic angle hinge design that simplifies folding and eliminates the dead space found in traditional hinged pads. A padded shoulder harness and webbing waist belt do an admirable job of carrying the pad and any gear stuffed inside it. Speaking of stuffed gear, Metolius uses a unique stretch-fabric closure panel with a burly aluminum buckle that ensures any shoes, water bottles, or other gear you’ve stuffed in the pad does not go missing during the approach. Other nice details include two drag handles as well as a carpet swatch for cleaning your shoes before climbing.

If you are looking for an easy-to-clip draw for sport climbing and general cragging, check out the Edelrid Pure Set Quickdraw. The rugged biners feature a keylock nose to eliminate snagging on gear and bolt hangers, and their generous overall size makes clipping a breeze. Edelrid uses a burly nylon dogbone and adds a rubber keeper on the bent gate side to prevent biner shift during desperate clips. It’s also worth noting that, unlike some brands, the Pure Set Quickdraw is made in Europe, with the biners being built in Italy and the dogbones in Germany. This is a solid, no-nonsense draw that’s versatile enough to excel in almost any climbing situation.

The sleek Neon 45 pack is perfectly designed for modern cragging. The pack features a unique zippered top and zippered back panel opening, giving you instant access to almost anything in your pack. Inside, the pack has multiple inner pockets, quickdraw storage loops, and even a built-in rope tarp, which ensure all your gear is organized and easily accessible. Once loaded, the Neon 45’s cushy shoulder straps and waistbelt help take the sting off of long approaches. Mammut has also added beefy carry handles on the sides, making tossing the pack in your vehicle an effortless affair. Finally, the pack’s flat base allows it to remain upright for easy loading – another smart design!

Climbers wanting all-around performance and comfort on relatively vertical terrain will love the Evolv Kronos (the Kira is the women’s version). The shoe is built on a slightly downturned last with a hint of asymmetry for precision and support on small edges. Evolve also uses a gently tensioned rand that provides additional power without the aggressive compression that is frequently encountered with some shoes. For the uppers, Evolv specs a soft Synthratek VX material that feels great against your foot and is also vegan-friendly. Finally, a fat, 4.2 mm slab of TRAX SAS rubber provides slid grip and durability.

For new climbers, MEC also has some informative articles on choosing the proper belay device and some tips for first-time leaders at the crag.

Products reviewed in this article: