The Smith Rock Blog

The Tenaya Tanta climbing shoe is a great option for gym climbers or beginner climbers looking for a shoe with a bit more performance than other entry-level models. It offers up performance, comfort, fit, and durability for just over $100.

The Black Diamond Session Approach Shoe fits squarely in the casual shoe market even if BD categorizes it as an approach shoe. As long as your technical footwear expectations are tempered, you’ll likely be happy with your purchase for everyday wear and tear with the BD Session

The Sterling Hollow Block is great at biting down on ropes when tying friction knots using a Prusik, Klemheist, or auto block. Its Aramid fiber construction helps resist abrasion and heat. Pony up a few extra bucks to have one hanging from your harness, you’ll end up using it.

COVID-19 has taken climbing out of our weekly routine, making us remember why we love the sport so much in the first place. Here’s to hoping we reign in this pandemic to get everyone back doing the things they love.

The Metolius Foundry Hangboard is a decent hangboard that provides a wide variety of hold types in a compact size. While the compact size is nice if you are lacking space for hanging the board, it does limit the number of holds on the board compared to other wider models.

The Sterling Evolution Velocity is the gold standard for cragging ropes due to it’s durability and high level of performance across the board. If you are only going to own one rope, this is the rope to have.

The Black Diamond Gridlock Screwgate carabiner eliminates any worries of having your belay carabiner or belay device not being properly oriented. It’s simple and easy to use, perfect for single pitch cragging and gym climbing.

The Petzl Sama is a good all-around harness for sport, trad, and multi-pitch climbs. It offers up low profile gear loops, good padding, and non-adjustable yet comfortable leg loops while still not being overly bulky or heavy. Great for beginners or experienced climbers.

The Mad Rock Remora climbing shoe offers up an affordable slip-on that is touted as a good all around shoe for beginner and intermediate climbers. It has a super soft fit and wide toe box that is great for comfort but lack in overall performance compared to other options on the market for slippers or gym shoes.

Given Black Diamond’s reputation for strong and durable hard goods, we decided to give their 9.9mm rope a try as our go to gym rope. The rope is priced right and works great out of the box but early signs of wear in the gym make it hard to give it the nod as a preferred gym rope.