Guide to buying a headtorch
As with all areas of technology, the headtorch is improving every year, both in terms of brightness and battery life. Continue reading
Climbing
Whether you're assembling your first trad climbing rack, searching for information on the latest in lightweight sport climbing ropes or looking for a round up on Scottish winter protection, all the climbing gear fiddly bits are explained in clear English right here.
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Rope buying guide
Climbing rope buying guide
Not sure what type of climbing rope to buy? Read our rope buying guide to help you purchase the right one. Continue reading
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Guide to buying a belay device
What should you consider when buying a belay device?
Are you a sports climber, indoor climber, trad climber, alpinist or beginner? Do you want a belay device that can be used for several of types of climbing? Knowing what type of climbing you want to use your belay device for, will help you choose one that best suits your needs. Continue reading
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Winter Protection
Guide to Winter Protection
Though much of what is mentioned here is relevant to mountaineering or for continental ice climbing. British winter climbing is unique and so is the way you protect it. Winter protection is for rock, snow, ice and crud. These are the four climbing/protection mediums that winter climbing offers. You can encounter one or all four on any given route. Continue reading
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Jamming Gloves
Guide to Jamming Gloves
It wasn’t long ago that anyone seen climbing on grit wearing jamming gloves or with taped hands was instantly ridiculed and laughed off the crag! (Usually to the strains of ‘Soft, southern Nancy!’). Now, if you want to climb consecutive days without pain jamming gloves are considered to be acceptable although most climbers will not have used them – yet! Continue reading
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Bouldering Mats Buying Guide
Why use a bouldering mat?
Bouldering mats, also known as crash pads, offer protection when climbing with groundfall potential. They use foam, or a combination of foams, to resist some of the force of a falling body landing on them, helping to reduce the likelihood of injury, erosion and fear.
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Camming Devices
The benefits of Cams
Very few trad climbers leave the ground without some kind of camming device on their rack these days. The vast majority of protection opportunities on trad climbs come in the form of cracks, these either taper or are of a continuous width. Being able to make use of both types of crack keeps you safer.
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Climbing Harness Buying Guide
Guide to Buying a Climbing Harness
A climbing harness will last you a number of years under normal conditions. They can become an invisible companion, or a constant reminder of a hasty decision. Spending some time finding the right one could save your hundreds of hours of potential discomfort.