8 Best Rock Climbing Gear for 2026

The Grigri’s cam is the reason it has become the default belay device for so many climbers: when the rope loads, the cam pivots and pinches, so the device assists rather than relying only on your grip. That matters most when a fall catches you by surprise or when you are lowering a heavier partner. The useful part is the control: the handle lets you feed rope out progressively instead of dumping it.

We found the rope range is the specification to check first. It is rated for single dynamic ropes from 8.5 to 11 mm, optimized for 8.9 to 10.5 mm, so a skinny gym rope or an old fat rope can sit outside its sweet spot. With a compatible rope, the assisted blocking made long belay sessions less tiring, and the lowering action felt smooth rather than grabby. It is not a device for static ropes or for diameters outside the listed range.

The design is also reassuringly simple to live with: 175 grams, a metal body, and no battery or app to think about. It is not the lightest belay option, and alpine climbers counting grams may prefer a tube, but for gym and sport climbing the extra security is worth carrying. We also like that the mechanism is easy to inspect and clean without a ritual.

The number that matters on a locking carabiner is the major-axis strength, and this FresKaro set lists 25 kN with UIAA certification. That is serious hardware in a compact package: each carabiner weighs about 2 ounces and has a D shape that keeps the load on the strong axis. The keylock nose is the detail we appreciate most, because it slides over slings and bolt hangers without snagging.

The twist-lock barrel is the part that divides people. We found it secure and easy enough to work one-handed once we got the motion, but it takes a deliberate twist rather than a casual flick, and gloved hands may need a second try. That is the price of a lock that stays put. For anchor building, belay carabiners, and general locking connections, the trade is reasonable.

We keep these for dedicated positions rather than as a do-everything carabiner for a big trad rack, because the shape favors clipping and forgetting over constant handling. As a three-pack of certified lockers for a first sport kit or a top-rope anchor, they earn their place. The included pouch keeps them from scratching other gear in transit.

Friction Labs sells this as a chunky loose chalk, and the texture is the first thing you notice. The pieces are big enough to crush between your fingers, breaking down into a fine powder that coats the skin rather than sitting on top of it. We found that coating lasted through several attempts on a boulder problem, which is the practical reason to choose loose chalk over a block.

The purity claims matter less than the feel, but they line up with what we noticed: hands stayed dry without the chalk turning into a slippery paste in humid weather. It is not a dust-free product, so gyms with strict cleanup rules may still prefer liquid. Outdoors, the loose format is easy to reload into a bag and easy to control if you are not over-chalking.

What tips it for us is the balance of grip and longevity. A little goes a long way, and the bag held up through a run of sessions without turning into a chalky mess in our pack. We don’t think every climber needs to fuss over chalk, but if you climb often and want one less thing to think about on a hard sequence, this is the bag we reach for.

The case for liquid chalk is simple: it keeps the gym clean and puts grip exactly where you need it. We like the Sportmediq bottle for that job because it spreads evenly, dries in seconds, and leaves less dust on holds, clothes, and the floor than loose chalk. On a plastic hold, the difference is more about consistency than magic; you get a dry, tacky layer that lets you pull without slipping.

The formula is thick enough that a couple of drops cover both palms. We found it worked best when we let it dry completely before touching the wall; rush that step and it feels slick. On long sessions it wears off, especially on sweaty hands, so you need to reapply. That is the trade-off for the cleaner format, not a defect unique to this bottle.

Because it is an 8.5 oz bottle, it lasts a while for a single climber, and the squeeze bottle is easy to toss in a gym bag. We don’t reach for it outdoors, where loose chalk is simpler and easier to top up from a bag. But for gyms that ban loose chalk, or for anyone who hates dust in their car, this is the liquid chalk we recommend.

Five locking carabiners for the money is the headline, but the size is what you notice first. At 4.5 by 2.9 inches, these FVW lockers are big enough to clip with gloves on and easy to find in a pack. They are rated to 25 kN on the major axis and made from 7075 aluminum, so the bulk buys a generous frame rather than a fragile one.

The screw-lock gate is smooth and stays put once closed, and the large size makes it a natural choice for anchor building, top-rope setups, and clipping gear to a pack. We found the twist action easy enough one-handed, but it is not as quick as a compact twist-lock when you are clipping and unclipping repeatedly. On a harness, they hang heavy and take up space; on a rack or in a rigging bag, that is less of an issue.

What we like most is the role they fill: a set of dependable lockers you can leave on a top-rope anchor, lend to a partner, or use for camp chores without worrying about your best carabiners walking off. They are not the set we choose for a lightweight trad rack, but for a gym bag, a fixed anchor, or a starter kit that needs five lockers, they are an easy value.

The first time you spend a full session looking up at your partner, the appeal of belay glasses becomes obvious. The BG pair uses 60-degree prisms to bend your view upward while you keep your head in a neutral position, which takes the strain off the back of your neck. We noticed the difference most on long top-rope sessions and when belaying a slower partner on a route.

The prisms are clear enough to see the climber and the rope without a distracting double image, and the frame is light enough to forget you are wearing it. It fits over prescription glasses, which is the detail that makes them usable for more people. The included hard case, neck strap, and microfiber cloth are the kind of accessories that keep a niche product from getting scratched in a pack.

Indoors, the glasses are most useful on tall walls where the climber is far above you; outdoors, they help on long single-pitch belays when your neck would otherwise stay craned. The hard case clips to a harness or pack, and the strap keeps the glasses from sliding when you look down to check the rope. It is a small kit, but a purposeful one.

What holds us back from calling them essential is durability. The hinges are the part to watch, and they are not the beefiest we have handled; if you are rough with your gear, treat the case as part of the kit rather than optional. For a frequent belayer with neck pain, though, the relief is worth the care.

Figure 8 devices are old-school for a reason: there are no springs, no cams, and nothing to lock out. The AOKWIT version adds bent ears to the standard shape, which gives you a place to wrap the rope and lock off with both hands free. For long rappels, rescue practice, or working at height, that simplicity is the appeal.

The 50 kN breaking strength and 7075 aluminum construction make it feel substantial in the hand, and the bent ears do make it easier to tie off than a plain figure 8. We found the rope fed smoothly on rappel, with the friction coming from the device rather than a hair-trigger handle. It is not a belay device in the modern assisted-braking sense; think of it as a rappel and rigging tool.

Size is the catch. At 6.7 inches across and 282 grams, it is a large piece of metal, and it takes up real space on a harness. The size is useful when you are wearing gloves or working with a thick rope, but it is overkill for a light sport rack. Check that your carabiner and rope combo sit well in the ears before committing to a long rappel.

We keep a figure 8 for the days when we are rappelling repeatedly or setting up a simple rescue system, not for everyday cragging. If your climbing is mostly sport routes and gym sessions, the Grigri is the more useful device. If you need a dependable, low-tech descender that is easy to inspect, this one earns its place in the pack.