CURRENT ISSUE

Climbing magazine April Gear Guide

In This Issue

April 2013 - 314 - Gear Guide

Editors' Choice Awards

Out of nearly 350 products tested, these 10 are the best of the best.

Bouldering

From "the best damn bouldering shoe" to innovative training devices, here's what you need to send.

Sport & Trad

Sport: The lightest helmet ever, a fresh kneepad, shorts with a built-in harness, belay glasses, and more. Trad: Our 18 favorite gear-pluggin' items, including a brand-new cam and one of the most comfortable rock shoe's we've tried on this year.

Alpine & Base Camp

Alpine: Bacon! No, really, a pack called Bacon. Plus: safer ropes and a redesigned crampon. Basecamp: From stylish and functional apparel to teched-out gadgets, here's the gear to round out your arsenal.

Previous Issues

  • Climbing-Cover-313

    March 2013 – 313

  • CLM-Cover-310

    November 2012 – 309

  • Climbing-Magazine-Cover-October-309-375

    October 2012 – 308

  • Climbing-Magazine-Cover-August-308-375

    September 2012 – 308

    COVER: Alex Honnold crimps 5.13 edges during the first free ascent of Giraffe Libre, El Gran Trono Blanco, Mexico. Photo by Andrew Burr. NON-TRADITIONAL: Sport climbers, rejoice! Eight multi-pitches fit for bolt-clipping climbers. GRANITO CALIENTE: Free climbing two historic routes on Mexico's El Gran Trono Blanco. TEN SLEEP: Cowboys, good vibes, and ice cream! Here, 21 things to know about Wyoming's limestone paradise.

  • Climbing-Magazin-Cover-August-307-375

    August 2012 – 307

    COVER: Laura Pastorelli styles New (6b+/5.10d) in Val di Mello, Italy. Photo by Andrew Burr. HEMP ROPE CLASSICS: Eight still-outstanding rock climbs established before WWII. LA VALLE: Gorgeous photos and 150 years of history from Val Masino, the Yosemite Valley of northern Italy. ROAD WARRIORS: Skip the grueling high-altitude approaches—head to Colorado's Mt. Evans for drive-up alpine crags.

  • CLM-Cover-306.jpg

    June/July 2012 – 306 – Photo Annual

    COVER: Way out in the Joshua Tree backcountry, Rob Moellering climbs the Weasel Boys Arête (5.12b) on the Lost Pencil. Photo by Jim Thornburg. GALEN ROWELL'S SIERRA CLASSICS: Peter Croft highlights eight amazing rock routes in the High Sierra. SHOOTERS' CHOICE: Eight top-flight climbing photographers share their favorite crags. 7 UNDER 30: Argentina, France, Utah, California, Australia... A portfolio from seven great up-and-coming photographers.

  • CLM-Cover-305-375

    May 2012 – 305

    COVER: Chris Hirsch high on Chemical Wire (5.11), Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota. Photo by Andrew Burr. BECKEY'S FAVORITES: Eight amazing rock routes from the legendary climber's huge book. RUSHMORE: Inside the new guidebook to South Dakota's crystal towers. NEW VS. RED: How Southeastern climbers battled for bragging rights to the "Best Crag in America."

  • April 2012 - 304 - GEAR GUIDE

    April 2012 – 304 – GEAR GUIDE

    COVER: Peter Vintoniv on McCarthy North Face (5.11a), Devils Tower, Wyoming. Photo by Andrew Burr. 2012 GEAR GUIDE: Editors' Choice for best gear of the year. Gear reviews for bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and alpine climbing. How to Buy articles for belay devices, harnesses, helmets, cams, ropes, and shoes. Innovators: Jason Kehl, Heinz Mariacher, Bill Belcourt, and Bill Forrest.

  • CLM-Cover-302.jpg

    February 2012 – 302

    COVER: Thomasina Pidgeon on Cutting Edge (V4) at Squamish, BC. Photo by Rich Wheater / age fotostock. THE SANDSTONE ALPS: Utah's San Rafael Reef isn't for everyone. And that's exactly why some climbers love it. THE GOLDEN PITONS: Climbing's 10th annual survey of the year's most outrageous climbing achievements. CATSKILLS ICE: New York's Catskill Park is a little-known mecca for ice climbing, within a half day's drive of millions of people.

  • CLM-Cover-301.jpg

    December/January 2012 – 301

    COVER: Nope, it's not Aron Ralston. It's Pete Whittaker on Century Crack (5.14b) in Utah's Monument Basin. Photo by Alex Ekins. SURVIVORS: Climbing's history is packed with amazing survival stories. Here, 25 of the most inspiring. MORE THAN ABLE: After a near-fatal accident, Craig DeMartino didn't let amputation limit his life. Instead, life handed him more opportunities than ever. STAYING ALIVE: Veteran climbing rangers from Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, and Grand Teton national parks share their top tips.

  • CLM-Cover-300.jpg

    November 2011 – 300

    COVER: From left: George Lowe, Angie Payne, Tommy Caldwell, and Lynn Hill. Photo by Claudia Lopez. LEGACY: Four icons of climbing speak out on heroes, ethics, the Olympic Games, and the future of the sport. PRO-SPECTIVE: If you could only do one climb before you died, what would it be? GEAR HALL OF FAME: The editors pick their favorite, time-tested ice tools, pro, clothing, and more. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Six great crags that changed American climbing forever.