The Best Indoor Climbing Gear of 2017
Tackle training walls with this primo kit
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Summer is right around the corner, which means you should be hunting walls outdoors. Until then, here's a list of the best new gear to crank in the gym, from some of our favorite brands.
Five Ten Wall Master Shoes ($85)
The pioneer of sticky rubber gives us the perfect all-day beginner slipper, with a hard edge for locking onto credit-card-thin footholds, a burly upper that protects when jamming into cracks, and a comfortable, neutral fit.
Edelrid Ohm Assisted Braking Device ($130)
Ever take a whipper and yank your belayer four feet off the ground? The Ohm solves that problem. It replaces the first quickdraw and cams down on the rope should you fall, distributing the weight for your partner below.
Trango Concealed Carry Chalk Bag ($17)
Because typical cinch closures tend to leak, Trango added a stowable fabric hood to the Concealed Carry. It kept things tidy even when stored upside down for several days.
Adidas Outdoor Agravic Shirt ($79)
The coolest part of this stretchy, lightweight gym tee? It’s nearly seamless, which fends off chafing and other discomfort while you’re contorting yourself on the wall.
Petzl GriGri+ Belay Device ($150)
Handy for beginners, Petzl’s latest belay piece has an anti-panic function that automatically brakes if the belayer yanks too hard on the release, stopping the climber’s descent.
Black Diamond Gym Rope ($80)
This 35-meter (115 feet) dynamic cord weighs just five pounds, and at 9.9 millimeters thick, it’s burly enough to withstand years of scrapes on textured gym walls.
Mammut Seon Transporter Pack ($140)
A climbing bag-cum-commuter pack? Believe it. This moisture-shedding, 26-liter model has a compartment with a padded laptop sleeve for business and a ventilated shoe pocket for performance.
Mountain Hardwear AP Scrambler Pants ($85)
The name of the game is versatility. The Scrambler is sturdy enough to hold up against scuffs on coarse, chalky gym walls, yet slick enough to wear to the bar after a workout.
Petzl Corax Harness ($60)
The best all-around harness we’ve tested, the new Corax weaves the customary adjustable leg loops, buckles, and waist belt into a soft-mesh body sling with breathable padding at all the pressure points.