THE BEST ROUTE

LA SPORTIVA WOMEN’S MIURA VS PRICE £150

Super precise and sticky, the Miura VS is aimed primarily at sport devotees but will stand up to most technical routes. The Vibram XS Grip 2 rubber heel delivers hooking precision while the shoe’s curved design maximises toe friction in marginal situations. A three-strap closure gives quick but easy adjustment indoors and out.

PETZL GRIGRI + PRICE

£110

A favourite with sport climbers, the Grigri+ is an assisted braking belay device. Features include a learnerfriendly anti-panic function that puts on the brakes if pulled too hard. It’ll handle 8.5 - 11mm single ropes, and really smooths out the act of taking up slack both for lead belaying and top-roping.

PETZL SPIRIT EXPRESS 11, 17 & 25CM

PRICE FROM £21

A versatile quickdraw primarily for sport climbing, the Spirit Express comes in three lengths to minimise rope drag, is colour coded for consistent use, and has keylock ‘biners to minimise snagging. The widened sling allows easier grabbing on sport routes, and the bent gate is designed for easier clipping in stressful situations.

EDELRID EAGLE LITE ECO DRY 9.5

PRICE FROM £205

Available in three lengths from 60 to 80m, this 9.5mm bluesign approved single rope handles beautifully. Thanks to the fine sheath structure – which is braided on a machine with 48 bobbins – it’s also robust and abrasion resistant. A PFC-free Eco Dry finish keeps water at bay to boot.

Petzl Connect Adjust

PRICE £42

The Connect Adjust has a lot to offer any climber or mountaineer arriving at a belay. It adjusts from 15 cm to 95 cm in a trice, creating a faff-free safety line that’s especially useful when attaching quickly to the top bolts on sport routes, getting you safely in position to rethread a lower-off.

Edelrid Ohm

PRICE £115

If you sport climb with a heavier or lighter partner, the Ohm is the tool you’re looking for. Clipped into the first bolt, it adds friction to a fall, allowing a lighter belayer to more easily slow and hold a heavier climber – but without adding lead rope drag. Ingenious.

EDELRID WOMEN’S AUTANA

PRICE £80

Comfortable, women’s specific and lightweight, there’s lots to like in the Autana. A three-buckle design gives security and a good fit, while five gear loops and two ice screw clip points let you rack your gear precisely where and how you prefer.

Black Diamond Vapor

PRICE £150

At 155g, the newest incarnation of the Vapor shaves a few grams off its predecessor but retains the huge breathability and low-profile that made its name. Easily adjustable via the cord fit system, you really will forget you’re wearing a helmet, while the removable head torch clips are ideal for alpine starts.

Trail Running