Climbing Accessories

Recent Climbing Accessory Reviews

Crawldaddies Knee Pads

The newer Crawldaddy equipment is fake cave gear. These Crawl Daddy's are garbage. I had a pair of Crawdaddies from 2016 last three years and these lasted three trips. And their elbow pads are junk as well. Built by cavers for cavers is no longer true. Built to fool cavers. Most likely now made in China just like Salamander. There is no cottage industry. Look for Dirty Daves or Howitzers.  Full review

Mammut Multipitch Chalk Bag

Great for multi-pitch climbing, allows me to carry a headlamp, emergency blanket, and a couple snack bars. This is a great chalk bag for multipitch climbers that don't want to carry a backpack. There is enough space in the back pouch for a headlamp, 2-3 snack bars, and an emergency blanket. Additionally, there is a bungee cord on the bottom that allows you to strap on a light shirt or packable windbreaker. Clip a water bottle to your harness, and you're all set to go fast and light without a backpack. Full review

La Sportiva Laspo Chalk Bag

This climber’s essential has all of the necessary features of a chalk bag, at a great price point. This chalk bag works well for any type of indoor or outdoor climber, whether bouldering at the gym, or multi-pitch days on a big wall. When it comes to knowing a product will perform flawlessly, people reach out to a small handful of brands. La Sportiva is certainly one of these elite companies, handcrafting products in northern Italy for outdoor enthusiasts since 1929. Although footwear for climbing… Full review

Crawldaddies Knee Pads

Crawldaddies Knee Pads are some of the best cottage industry caving gear on the market. Made by a caver, for cavers, CD Knee Pads are rugged, comfortable, and worth every penny. I mistakenly purchased the short knee pads, and while I wish I had bought the longer version to better protect my shins, I have been entirely satisfied with the quality and durability of the short pads. For far too many years, I relied on standard volleyball knee pads for my caving adventures. While these cheap pads spare… Full review

Hanchor Kangeroo & Hula

Kangaroo - 8 / 10 This bag is a cool new concept and works well, but the bedding in part was a little timely. I would recommend this be on every sport climbers wish list. Hula - 7 / 10 I admire the innovative design of this product and I like the theory behind it. However, I don't think it works as well in practice as I expected for a small chalk bag, the concept would be better applied to a boulder bucket. I'm psyched to see where this design trend leads. "Made in Taiwan" It's a label that doesn't… Full review

Mammut Basic Chalk Bag

The name says it all. A basic, bare bones chalk bag. This is one of the cheapest chalk bags you can get. Good for beginners climbing indoors. As the name implies, it's basic. The outside material is a lightweight nylon (Taffeta 260T) that feels like one of those ultra lightweight running jackets. It's soft, but it feels sort of durable. If you're climbing indoors, this will suffice, but if you're outside, you might need something stronger. The black fabric easily collects chalk and has faded to… Full review

Black Diamond Chalk Bag

An easy to use chalk bag that has multiple ways to attach it to your belt loop or harness. When I started climbing this was the first chalk bag I bought. The first thing I was drawn to were the various colors that Black Diamond offers in their bags. Who doesn't like a little style and personality on the mountain? I personally attach a carabiner to the bag and then to a belt loop or to my harness. The only real drawback I have with this chalk bag is the small opening to allow your hand inside the… Full review

Black Diamond Forearm Trainer

Simple and extremely effective! This simple rubber ring has done more for my forearm strength in one use than weeks of doing 50 full forearm curls. They wear you out very quickly but you can allow some time to recover and then begin again. I personally use it while sitting around the house until I just can't anymore. This is a no maintenance trainer that I regret not buying months ago. Full review

Black Diamond Forearm Trainer

Worked well until it broke. So pretty much every spring-type grip exerciser I have tried is way too flimsy. I have heard of strong ones but I thought that since this one is made by a company who makes climbing equipment, it should be pretty good. A little about me; I climb sport routes in the 5.10 range about once per week at the local crag. I figured that stronger hands would do a better job of holding my clydesdale frame on the rock.  When it arrived it smelt strongly of solvent but since it… Full review