Best Down Jackets of 2011 Announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

I just finished this review on down jackets. Official press release below.


Editors’ Choice Awards for Best of 2011 Down Jacket Category Winners from OutdoorGearLab

September 18, 2011

CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the down jacket category, listing this year’s best and best value for down jackets. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in the High Sierra, Southeast Utah and The Cascades. Each down jacket underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as warmth, wind protection, water resistance, comfort, durability, compactactness and lightweight. View the complete Best Down Jacket Award Reviews for full details.

The winners are:
North Face Catalyst Jacket – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 for down jacket. According to Gear Editor Chris McNamara, "All in all, the North Face Catalyst has the best combination of features and they work well while wearing a pack or harness. It has zippered hand pockets, conveniently stuffs into a hand pocket, and the Pertex Quantum fabric is slightly more durable and water resistant compared to other fabrics used on these jackets."

Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka - winner of the Best Buy award for 2011. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Mckenzie Long, "The MontBell Alpine Light wins our Best Buy award because it is the least expensive of the light alpine down jackets and has nice features like particularly large hand pockets with a soft fleece lining, and a wind resistant outer fabric that is a bit more durable that the fabric used in the Nitrous and Down Sweater"

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Men's Down Jacket - winner of the Top Pick award for 2011 for Best This award is given to a product that excels at a specific application. According to Ian Nicholson, "If you need a serious jacket for extreme cold, this is the one. The Mountain HardWear Sub Zero SL wins our Recommended award because of the many functional features that make this a desirable jacket for mountaineering, such as a longer fit, a large hood, very water resistant material, and clever ways of sealing out wind and keeping in warmth."

Crazy weird funny mouse video titled "SuperTopo!!!"

I was searching "supertopo youtube" and came across this video. I have no idea why it is titled supertopo. i wish i could take credit for it...

The Best Rain Jacket Awards

Best Rain Jacket Review is done! This week I finished our best rain jacket review with Robert Beno. Official press release below.


Best Rain Jacket Review announced by OurdoorGearLab.com for Editor’s Choice, Best Buy and Top Picks.
September 9, 2011

CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the rain jacket category, listing this year’s best and best value for rain shells. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in the High Sierra, Southeast Utah and The Cascades. Each tent underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of comfort, water resistance, durability, breathability, zipper design, weight and looks. View the complete rain jacket review

The winners are:
Marmot Oracle – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 for rain jacket. According to Gear Editor Robert Beno, "We liked all the features that Marmot packed onto this jacket and we felt like we were actually wearing a jacket when we put it on. Many of the shells that we tested just felt like a tent rain fly with sleeves and didn’t have any of the extra comforts that we wanted from a jacket. The Oracle was the closest thing we tested to a lightweight coat that could be used for a wider range of applications, instead of a single function rain coat. Additionally, the jacket performed very well in all of our testing, and it just simply became the jacket that we reached for the most when heading out on a rainy day jog, or a jaunt around town. "

Marmot Precip - winner of the Best Buy award for 2011. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Robert Beno, "The Marmot Precip is best value in rain jackets and winner of our Best Buy Award. If you want the most rain jacket for your money, get this. Any jacket that we have tested that costs less generally has poor ventilation and much lower performance. If you seek a highly functional rain jacket that will get the job done at a great price, this is it."

Patagonia Rain Shadow - winner of the Top Pick award for 2011 for Best Lightweight Rain Jacket (and best looking). This award is given to a product that excels at a specific application. According to Robert Beno, "The Patagonia Rain Shadow is an attractive option for someone who needs a rain shell that looks good, is super light, and doesn’t like to be overrun with extraneous features."

OutdoorGearLab LLC is a company headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming dedicated to creating world’s best outdoor gear reviews. The company’s website, www.outdoorgearlab.com, is a free resource for people who love the outdoors and participate in activities such as hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping. The company performs side-by-side testing of outdoor gear and publishes the results in comparative reviews. Each product is scored across a range of weighted categories, competing products are ranked, and awards are provide to top performing products.

Media Contact: Chris McNamara - 307.509.0188 - outdoorgearlabpr@gmail.com

The Best Backpacking Tent Awards announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

Best Backpacking Tent Review just finished on my site OutdoorGearLab.com. Here is the official press release below.


CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the backpacking tent category, listing this year’s best and best value for 3 season tents. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in the High Sierra, Southeast Utah and The Cascades. Each tent underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of set-up, versatility, livability, packed size, strength, quality, and value. View the complete backpacking tent review

The winners are:
Black Diamond Mesa – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 for backpacking tent. According to Gear Editor Max Neale, "The Black Diamond Mesa represents an excellent balance between strength, weight, and comfort in a backpacking tent. It’s our favorite all-purpose three-season tent; if we were to have just one tent it would be this one. The Mesa has been an award winner since its inception in 2007."

REI Half Dome 2 - winner of the Best Buy award for 2011. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Max Neale, "The REI Half Dome 2 tent is a well-designed, strong, and comfortable backpacing tent. The Half Dome’s best attribute is its absurdly low price- only $180- which makes it the unquestionable winner of our Best Buy Award. It continues to impress, however, with good quality poles, fabrics, a spacious interior, and an efficient and easy to setup pole design. The Half Dome is also stronger than most other tents reviewed here; it’s plenty capable of handling gusty winds and torrential downpours."

Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 - winner of the Top Pick award for 2011 for Best Lightweight Backpacking Tent. This award is given to a product that excels at a specific application. According to Max Neale, "The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 tent is an aggressive looking and high performing ultralight backpacking tent. It barely tips the scales at 2lb 10oz packed weight, making it one of the lightest self-supporting tents in the world. This is our favorite tent for three-season multi-day trips."

Best Portable Solar Panel Awards announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

Portable solar panel review done! Hey friends and fam, i just finished a review on solar panels I have been working on for 7 years... phew. I am trying to get the word out about it. so if you could "like" it on facebook here it would be awesome... thank you!!

Here is the official release

The Best Portable Solar Panel Awards announced by OutdoorGearLab.com

Best Portable Solar Panel Review announced by OurdoorGearLab.com for Editor’s Choice, Best Buy and Top Picks.
August 23, 2011

CHEYENNE, WY—OutdoorGearLab.com revealed today the results of the 2011 Editors’ Choice Awards for the portable solar panel category, listing this year’s best and best value for portable solar. The OutdoorGearLab Review Editors chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in Yosemite, Napa and The Bay Area. Each panel underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of set-up, versatility, quality, disassembly Safety, and value. View the complete portable solar review

The winners are:
Goal Zero Sherpa 120 Kit – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2011 for portable solar. According to Gear Editor Chris McNamara, "The Goal Zero Sherpa 120 portable solar kit wins our Editors' Choice award because it is the best relatively light and durable portable solar kit that can charge just about anything. If you have a lot of electronic devices to charge and spend a fair bit of time away from a power source, this is the device to get."

Goal Zero Nomad 7 - winner of the Best Buy award for 2011. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Chris McNamara, "The Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel is by far the best deal in portable solar panels. No other tiny panel came close to matching its versatility, ease-of-use and price. If your main need is to charge a cell phone or small electronic devices, get this panel."

OutdoorGearLab LLC is a company headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming dedicated to creating world’s best outdoor gear reviews. The company’s website, www.outdoorgearlab.com, is a free resource for people who love the outdoors and participate in activities such as hiking, climbing, backpacking, and camping. The company performs side-by-side testing of outdoor gear and publishes the results in comparative reviews. Each product is scored across a range of weighted categories, competing products are ranked, and awards are provide to top performing products.

Media Contact: Chris McNamara - 307.509.0188 - outdoorgearlabpr@gmail.com

Best Slackline Review is now live!

The Best Slackline review is now live. Damian Cooksey tested the lines so hard he was able to break many of them. We handed out many awards including best beginner slackline to the Gibbon Slackline Classic Model

Here is how the tests went down: We pulled together nine kits from the most active slackline companies on the market today, plus we rigged one the old-fashioned way with a few carabiners and some webbing. We rigged the lines at Bridges Rock Gym, in local parks, as highlines, longlines, trick lines – every way possible for each kit. We rigged them, walked on them, tore them down, rigged them again, bounced on them, tightened them to near failure, rigged and walked them again.

After a multitude of testing environments and over a mile of slackline webbing, we rounded out the best uses of each of these slackline kits. We timed how long it took to rig, making all the mistakes possible following sometimes complicated rigging instructions. We rated each product for its versatility, ease of setup, speed of setup, safety of setup and take-down, quality, durability of materials and price. We used these criteria in order to select our Editor’s Award winners.

Just did an interview on Breaking into Big Wall

Here is an article i contributed to "Breaking in Big Wall" that I did with CampTheSummit.com

Brazil Granite Bouldering By The Ocean

I went to Brazil for six days of surfing and six days of a wedding party for Corey and Marina Rich. I didn't think there would be much if any climbing but I threw in my climbing shoes just in case. Turns out, there was bouldering 30 feet away from the surf break! Read my Brazil Climbing trip report.

Help Access Fund Unlock Jailhouse

The Access Fund is pleased to announce that it has secured permanent access to Jailhouse Rock, near Sonora California, through the Access Fund Land Conservation Campaign.

However we need your help!
The current parking lot and approach trail still cross private land, which is up for sale. The Access Fund has secured a route to the cliff through a different access point, but we need your help to raise $40k in the next 12 months to build a new parking area and trailhead, cover insurance and closing costs, and build a stewardship fund to protect Jailhouse for years to come.

You can help protect access to one of the best sport climbing destinations in the country! Please give to the Access Fund Unlock Jailhouse Campaign today!

Thanks for your support,

Your Friends at the Access Fund

Camping Stove Awards announced by SuperTopo.com Gear Reviews

Camping Stove Awards announced by SuperTopo.com Gear Reviews for Editor’s Choice, Best Buy and Recommended.
November 1, 2010

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed today the results of the SuperTopo 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards for Camping Stove category, listing this year’s camp stoves and best value for camp stoves. The SuperTopo.com staff chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in Yosemite, Squamish and Smith Rocks. Each pad underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as packed size, weight, speed, control, versatility, set up time, stability, durability and wind resistence. View the complete camping stove review

The winners are:
MSR Reactor – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2010 for camp stoves. According to gear tester Max Neale, "The MSR Reactor is the fastest, easiest to use, and most stormproof camping stove we tested. It’s designed to provide all-conditions performance for one to three people, but lacks the ability to simmer and functions poorly on low. Regardless of how inclement the conditions, this stove is insanely fast at boiling water, but remains incapable of doing much else. Get this if you voyage to harshest of climates with two to four people." Full MSR Reactor review at

MSR Whisperlite - winner of the Best Buy award for 2010. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Max Neale, "Since its introduction in 1982, the Whisperlite has proven itself as the most versatile and dependable, lightweight, liquid fuel, portable stoves on the market. If we were to have one stove this would be it."

JetBoil Flash- winner of the Recommended award for 2010. This award is given to products that scored very highly, and offered unique capabilities. According to Max Neale, "The Jetboil Flash takes fast, light, and efficient to a whole new level in this updated version of a revolutionary camping stove. Whether you’re melting snow in Alaska, making coffee on a big wall, or boiling water for dehydrated food on a backpacking trip, this stove will be your smallest and warmest backcountry friend. Key features include a 1L insulated pot, piezo auto ignition, water temperature indicator, and a lock that secures the stove and pot in one stable unit. This is our top pick for minimalist activities."

MSR DragonFly- winner of a Recommended award for 2010. According to Chris McNamara, "Bringing you as close as possible to a professional range, the MSR Dragonfly is a luxuriously well handling stove. Its stability and ease of use make it our top choice for base camp. Unfortunately, a large and heavy frame makes it cumbersome for those who are primarily concerned with size and weight. We believe the smaller, lighter, quieter, cheaper, and slightly faster MSR Whisperlite is a better choice for backpacking."

Soto OD-1R winner of the Recommended award for 2010. According to Max Neale, "The Soto OD-1R is the best small canister portable stove we reviewed. It’s not only tiny and super lightweight, but also includes a piezo igniter and pressure regulator that allows you to cook at high altitudes and in cold temperatures."

SuperTopo Newsletter - November 1, 2010

REMEMBERING JOE PURYEAR
Just received this from Mike Gauthier: I received one of those dreaded phone calls early this morning with the news that my good friend Joe Puryear died while ascending Labuche Kang (7,367 meters, 24,170 feet) in a remote region of Tibet. Joe was a former climbing ranger on Mount Rainier and one of America’s elite alpinists. >>Read More

GEAR REVIEWS: CAMPING STOVE AWARDS AND BIG WALL GEAR
Essential Aid Climbing Gear
Clean Aid Protection
Haulbags, Hauling and Bivy Gear
The Best Camp Stove Review
MSR Reactor Win's Editor's Choice
JetBoil Flash Winds Recommended Award
20+ new gear reviews videos to YouTube

THE FORUM
Leo Houlding Climbs New Free Route on El Capitan
Exciting Deep Water Comp in Spain with Chris Sharma
Climber loses thumb on The Nose - El Capitan - Yosemite
New Book on Yosemite Climbing History -
El Cap Storm Photos with links pics and vid of climbers caught in waterfall



TRIP REPORTS
North America Wall, El Capitan
9-Year-Olds First TR
Cloudveil Dome/Fall Ice Stoke/Climbing with old dudes
I Love The Desert (a Puryear Great)
North Face Middle Teton--Robbins and Breashers routes... Stoke for fall ice
My Up And Down Life, Disaster Master


NEW FIRST ASCENT DVD BOX SET + FREE SUPERTOPO BOOK OFFER
The first ever ropeless climbof Yosemite’s sheer 2,000 foot wall of Half Dome. The longest BASE jump achieved, from the infamous Eiger Nordwand. A tragic expedition to the lost peaks of Western China. These are just a few of the amazing feats and personal journeys featured in the First Ascent Box Set. And you get a free SuperTopo book >>Read More…

Massive Rock Fall on El Capitan In Yosemite!

There was a rock fall in the Horsetail Falls area today around noon that kicked up a huge cloud of dust that I could see from Yosemite Lodge. By the time I got down there the cloud had moved east into the valley. Did not hear of any one getting hurt.

Hopefully Tom will have some good photos later!

Ammon McNeely posted some awesome video on this thread as well

Check out Massive El Capitan Rock Fall

Sleeping Pad 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards announced by SuperTopo.com

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed today the results of the SuperTopo 2010 Editors’ Choice Awards for Sleeping Pad category, listing this year’s best sleeping pads and best value for sleeping pads. The SuperTopo.com staff chose the following winners after extensive field testing and road trips in Yosemite, Squamish and Smith Rocks. Each pad underwent extensive side by side tests to evaluate key performance metrics such as warmth, comfort, durability, weight, packed size and other factors. The complete sleeping pad review test results for 2010 are available on SuperTopo.com at http://www.supertopo.com/best/Sleeping-Pad-Review

The winners are:
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus – winner of the Editor's Choice Award for 2010 for sleeping pad. According to gear tester Max Neale, "You can stop reading other pad reviews now for you’ve found the pad that can do it all. Whether your next trip is a week on the snow or summer night on the beach, you’ll be pleased that you bought the ProLite Plus. This is the warmest and most comfortable portable pad we reviewed. If we were to get have one pad this would be it. "

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite - winner of the Best Buy award for 2010. This award is given to a product that balances an extremely high score in our tests and a very reasonable price. According to Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the go to sleeping pad for anyone with a high priority on price, durability, and weight. It works in just about any camping situation whether on a big wall, in Yosemite, or backpacking. There is no set up time or need to worry about packing it up. This is also the most compact closed-cell foam pad."

Therm-a-Rest ProLite - winner of the Recommended award for 2010. This award is given to products that scored very highly, and offered unique capabilities. According to Max Neale, "In our opinion the Therm-a-Rest ProLite is the finest minimalist sleeping pad on the market. It weighs a scant one pound, packs down to a size no one can complain about, and employs a durable time-tested design. "

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar - winner of a Recommended award for 2010. According to Chris McNamara, "This is the most comfortable closed cell pad we reviewed. For a less voluminous and less comfortable, but cheaper option get the Ridge Rest. For a lighter and more compact pad get the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite. If you don’t mind spending another $20 we recommend this over the Ridge Rest.."

REI Camp Bed 3.5 - winner of the Recommended award for 2010. According to Max Neale, "This is the most comfortable pad we reviewed. It has nice features like dual air valves, a very soft cover, and it comes with compression straps and a stuff sack. It’s massive and cannot be carried far, but if you want a pad for car camping you can’t go wrong and won’t loose sleep over the decision to buy this. When compared to the REI Trekker 1.75 and luxury pads from Therm-a-Rest (such as the Luxury Map), the Camp Bed 3.5 is the best value. A strong recommend. "


About SuperTopo.com: SuperTopo offers the most detailed and exhaustive side-by-side comparison climbing gear review in the industry. Each product is evaluated on a common set of metrics, tested both hands-on and in a lab setting, and then field tested exhaustively on Yosemite's Big Walls, The Alaska Range, Cascades and other serious climbing areas around the world.
SuperTopo.com is the premier destination site for active, influential, and outdoor-oriented rock climbers in the United States. Offering detailed information on the most popular climbing routes in the United States’ most popular climbing areas,

SuperTopo.com serves as one of the critical sites to visit when planning an outdoor climbing trip. SuperTopo.com also features the United States most-active climbing discussion forum, by and for experienced outdoor rock climbers. With topics ranging from how-to-aid climb to bolting ethics, route beta, and general fireside chit-chat, the SuperTopo Climber’s Forum is regularly frequented by many of the most well known and famous rock climbers in America.

Media Contact: Chris McNamara - 530.545.0424 - chris@supertopo.com

San Quentin News: My Dad's New Project

My Dad, Steve McNamara now serves as advisor to the San Quentin News, the only inmate-produced newspaper in California. Check out their web site!

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sleeping Pad Wins Best Buy Award

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed Therm-a-Rest Z Lite as the winner of the 2010 Best Buy award for the sleeping pad category. The SuperTopo.com staff rated the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite after extensive field testing in Yosemite, Squamish, High Sierra and the Bay Area. The Z Lite also underwent extensive side by side tests with others in the sleeping pad category to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of use, performance, warmth, packability, durability and comfort. The complete sleeping pad review is available on SuperTopo.com.

According to gear tester Max Neale, "The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the go to sleeping pad for anyone with a high priority on price, durability, and weight. It works in just about any camping situation whether on a big wall, in Yosemite, or backpacking. There is no set up time or need to worry about packing it up. This is also the most compact closed-cell foam pad. Unfortunately, it's not the most comfortable. For a larger and more comfortable option go for the Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Solar.."

Neale continues, "This is most compact closed-cell pad we tested. Tying with two other pads, it’s also the lightest. The Z-Lite is a great value for traveling and backpacking and also makes an ideal second pad for winter activities. For a more durable and comfortable, but much larger pad consider the Ridge Rest Solar (same price). If you want a super light inflatable pad get the Therm-a-Rest Prolite ($60 more)."

Great Book of BASE is now on Amazon

The Great Book of BASE is now on Amazon. If you have read the book and could post a review, that would be awesome. Many thanks!! Here is the link http://amzn.to/bXJhwL

Great Book of BASE is here - BASE Jumping Explained

The Great Book of BASE has arrived! Books are arriving within the hour! All pre-orders ship today and tomorrow.

I got one of the advanced copies of this base jumping book because I get the job of packaging and shipping them all to you. It looks awesome! The photos alone are worth it: they are full color and bad ass. The writing spans just about everything including one story about a vegas casino/rock star/playmate episode that is most entertaining building jump story i have ever read.

This is a self-published book. No big marketing budget for advertising, road tour etc so please, please tell a friend or two about the book. Many thanks in advance for forwarding this link to your friends http://base-book.com/

SuperTopo (me) is going to be distributing these books. If you know any DZ's or online stores that are interested in carrying the book, please contact me chris at supertopo dot com

Black Diamond Momentum Harness wins climbing harness Best Buy

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed Black Diamond Momentum Harness as the winner of the 2010 Recommended award for the climbing harness category. The SuperTopo.com staff rated the Black Diamond Momentum Harness after extensive field testing in Yosemite, Colorado, and Utah. The Momentum also underwent extensive side by side tests with others in the harness category to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of use, performance, packability, durability and comfort. The complete review is available on SuperTopo.com.

According to gear tester Chris McNamara, "If you just starting to climb or you are on a budget, you can't beat this harness for the money. In fact, you will probably go many years before ever buying another harness. It is only if you want a high end or application- specific harness that you need to look at others. For example, if you want the ultimate sport climbing harness you can shell out another $55 for the Black Diamond Ozone, but in the end the Momentum will be almost as comfortable and more versatile and at a fraction of the price."

McNamara continues, "This is the best harness out there for the money and a great first harness. It is comfortable, has great gear loops, tons of features and costs a mere $45. You have to spend a LOT more money to get minor improvements in weight, comfort or features. Black Diamond's own Chaos harness is just slightly better but costs another $80."

Petzl Reverso 3 wins Belay Device SuperTopo Recommend Award

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed Petzl Reverso 3 as the winner of the 2010 Recommended award for the best belay device category. The SuperTopo.com staff rated the Petzl Reverso 3 after extensive field testing in Yosemite, Colorado, and Utah. The Petzl Reverso 3 also underwent extensive side by side tests with others in the belay device category to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of use, performance, packability, durability and ease of lowering. The complete review is available on SuperTopo.com.

According to gear tester Chris McNamara, "The Petzl Reverso 3 is our Editors' Choice for manual belay/auto–block belay devices. It’s like a sports car. It has sleek curves, excellent handling and is smooth to use. Nine times out of 10 we belay directly off the anchor when multipitch climbing so we need a great auto–block device. On big Yosemite free routes, we found our arms stayed fresher with the Reverso 3 as long as the rope was skinnier than 10mm. After a long day of getting high off the ground, you have to come down, and the Reverso 3 is extremely smooth for rappelling. It is pricey but worth every penny if you use it in auto-block mode. If you primarily belay off the anchor with thick ropes, then we would recommend the Mad Lock, GriGri or Cinch."

According to tester Chris Van Leuven, "The Reverso 3 is the best all-around device we tested. It does it all: lightweight, compact and great for belaying in auto–block mode or directly off the waist. It is not cheap, but it is worth the greenbacks. This is the smoothest belay/rappel/guide's device tested. It is the most common belay device you will see guides or experienced trad climbers using, whether in Yosemite or on The Diamond."

About SuperTopo.com: SuperTopo offers the most detailed and exhaustive side-by-side comparison climbing gear review in the industry. Each product is evaluated on a common set of metrics, tested both hands-on and in a lab setting, and then field tested exhaustively on Yosemite's Big Walls, The Alaska Range, Cascades and other serious climbing areas around the world.

SuperTopo.com is the premier destination site for active, influential, and outdoor-oriented rock climbers in the United States. Offering detailed information on the most popular climbing routes in the United States’ most popular climbing areas, SuperTopo.com serves as one of the critical sites to visit when planning an outdoor climbing trip. SuperTopo.com also features the United States most-active climbing discussion forum, by and for experienced outdoor rock climbers. With topics ranging from how-to-aid climb to bolting ethics, route beta, and general fireside chit-chat, the SuperTopo Climber’s Forum is regularly frequented by many of the most well known and famous rock climbers in America.

Petzl GriGri Belay Device Wins SuperTopo Editors Choice Award

MILL VALLEY, CA--SuperTopo.com, one of the most popular climbing web sites in the world, revealed Petzl GriGri as the winnde of the 2010 Editors' Choice award for the belay device category. The SuperTopo.com staff rated the Petzl GriGri after extensive field testing in Yosemite, Colorado, and Utah. The GriGri also underwent extensive side by side tests with other belay devices to evaluate key performance metrics such as ease of use, performance, packability, durability and waterproofness. The complete review is available on SuperTopo.com.

According to gear tester Chris McNamara, "The Petzl GriGri is Editors' Choice because it is simply awesome in most climbing situations. Seriously. What device do you think Chris Sharma was belayed on when he fired Jumbo Love? What device do you think Ammon McNeely is belayed on when he smashes El Cap records? Planning on belaying off the anchor, throwing rope out to a leader? The list goes on and on because the GriGri works great. It doesn’t work on ice ropes, and does not work as well on ropes less than 10mm. (Warning: Using ropes below 10mm goes against Petzl’s advice, so do so at your own risk.) The GriGri is the hardest working piece on our rack. All that said, after years of dominating the market the GriGri faces stiff competition from the Trango Cinch. The Cinch is recommended for smaller ropes, is lighter, more compact and is a better value. For gym and crag climber we still prefer the GriGri. But on big walls and multi-pitch routes, the Cinch might edge ahead."

About SuperTopo.com: SuperTopo offers the most detailed and exhaustive side-by-side comparison climbing gear review in the industry. Each product is evaluated on a common set of metrics, tested both hands-on and in a lab setting, and then field tested exhaustively on Yosemite's Big Walls, The Alaska Range, Cascades and other serious climbing areas around the world.