Edelrid Climbing

Best uses

Most climbing harnesses are versatile enough for indoor climbing or outdoor multi-pitch routes, while some are more specialized for mountaineering or ice climbing.

• Sport or indoor climbing: Stripped down for fast travel and feature minimal gear loops.
• Trad climbing: More gear loops since climbers place their own protection. Comfort and padding are key, as you may spend hours on a route or hanging in your harness.
• Mountaineering: Designed for long approaches and all-season versatility
• Ice climbing: Designed to perform in winter conditions

Key features:

• Padded waist: Thicker padding or a broader surface area helps distributes pressure
• Adjustable leg loops: Fit different body types and clothing layers
• Gear loops: Typically two to five loops for racking gear
• Droppable leg loops: Leg loops unclip at the back for easier bathroom breaks

Women-specific harnesses

• These typically feature a higher rise, a larger leg-to-waist ratio and a shaped waistbelt
• Choose a women-specific harness if it better matches your body type.

Gate type

Since each quickdraw has two carabiners on it, a quickdraw could have a combination of gate types.

• Straight-gate: Easy to operate; common on many carabiners and on the side of the quickdraw that is clipped to a bolt
• Bent-gate: Curved shape makes it easier to clip a rope
• Wire-gate: Lightweight, a wire loop creates its own spring mechanism as it pivots

Sling length

• Short-length  (10-16cm long) work in most situations when the route is relatively straight
• Medium-length (17-18cm) are useful for reducing rope drag in longer routes or if the route isn't straight
• Long-length (25cm+) help keep the rope running in a straighter line, especially on routes that wander or have overhangs

Dynamic vs. static ropes

• Dynamic: Designed to stretch to absorb the impact of a falling climber
• Static: Stretch very little, so they shouldn't be used in cases where a fall could occur; ideal for rescue, rappelling and hauling

Ropes categories

• Single rope: Most climbers buy single ropes, which are designed to be used by themselves and not with another rope; common for sport and trad climbing
• Half rope: When climbing with half ropes, you use two ropes, clipping alternately for reduced rope drag; common for trad climbing on wandering routes, mountaineering and ice climbing
• Twin ropes: Also a two-rope system, but both strands are clipped through each piece of protection

Diameter and length

• Thinner ropes (about 8.5-9.5mm) are lighter, less durable and require more skill to handle safely
• Thicker ropes are generally more abrasion-resistant; ideal for beginners or frequent use
• Dynamic ropes range in length from 30-80 meters. A 60-meter rope is the standard and will meet your needs most of the time.

Dry treatment

Some ropes include a dry treatment that reduces water absorption. Dry-treated ropes are more expensive than non-dry options.

• Dry-treated: Dry ropes can have a dry core, a dry sheath or both. Ropes with both core and sheath offer the greatest moisture protection.
• Non-dry: A non-dry rope is probably sufficient for sport climbing

Locking vs. Non-locking 

Locking carabiners: Gates lock to prevent accidental openings during falls; essential for belaying or critical protection placements

• Screw-lock: Requires manual twisting to close
• Auto-locking (twist lock): Automatically locks when the gate closes

Non-locking carabiners: Lighter, quicker to clip or unclip but can accidentally open; ideal for racking gear or for quickdraws

Carabiner shape

• D shape: Strongest shape, excellent for most kinds of climbing
• Asymmetric D: Lighter than D shape with a larger gate for easy clipping; use for belaying, rappelling, general climbing  
• Pear shape: Designed for belaying, rappelling and anchor points; heavier and more expensive
• Oval shape: Smaller gate opening, affordable but not as strong or light as others; ideal for aid climbing or racking trad gear

Gate Types 

• Straight-gate: Durable, easy to use; common for clipping gear to harnesses
• Bent-gate: Makes rope clipping easier; generally used for quickdraws  
• Wire-gate: Lightweight, less likely to freeze or vibrate open during a fall
• Locking: Most secure; essential for anchors or belaying