The Best of Gear: Hall of Famers

The outdoor industry outdoes itself with the sheer number of products it rolls out every trade show. With each new piece, old gear is launched into oblivion. Eventually, many products end up forgotten or even mocked for their irrelevance or terrible performance compared with the latest and greatest. Out with the old, in with the new.

However, some gear is just so good that it stays in production year after year, despite the latest, much-hyped “groundbreaking innovations.” Climbing has been testing gear for nearly 30 years, and to mark our 300th issue, we polled past and present editors and testers (along with our gear-loving colleagues at Backpacker) to choose 17 well-seasoned items that we still love and use. Best of all, each is still available, so you can get them for yourself.

Metolius Safe Tech Harness
INTRODUCED: 2003
Although there are harnesses that are slimmer, sexier, and lighter, the Safe Tech’s foolproof design secured its place in our hall of fame. Jeff Achey, Climbing’s features editor, says, “Knowing I could clip anything to any point on that harness and it would hold no matter what—that’s peace of mind.” The idiot- and bomb-proof construction on this harness make it a solid choice for beginners as well as bolters, big-wallers, and people who are generally hard on their gear. Metolius designed the Safe Tech because of mistakes climbers make due to fatigue, going too fast, and even ignorance (including a climber who clipped only his rear leg loop elastics to the anchor while belaying on a multi-pitch and then had the second climber fall and pull them both to the ground). It’s still the only harness with an adjustable rise in the front, and it’s got four gear loops, a rear haul loop, and two full-strength belay loops (all-around version; comp version has one).

• $79—$109
• metoliusclimbing.com
• Four versions: all-around, deluxe men’s and women’s, comp, and big wall (Waldo)
• Five sizes in all-around

Five Ten Guide Tennies
INTRODUCED: 1996
A resounding favorite among all our constituents, Guide Tennies elicit a feeling of confidence on varied terrain, including approaches, descents, scrambles, and climbs up to about 5.8. The iconic Stealth C4 dotted tread pattern was unique to the Guide Tennie when it was introduced, and to-the-toe lacing, leather, and a remarkably light weight (about 14 oz.) make them a standout choice today. (The latest version added some rocker to the sole for more comfortable walking.) They also excel for big-wall climbs: comfortable for standing in aiders, yet confidence-inspiring when you have to bust out a free move. Tester Shannon Davis climbed Granite Peak in Montana as well as the Maiden (5.6) in Boulder with the Guide Tennies and says, “Hiking to some moderates? This has been the best shoe for that for, like, 15 years.” Next spring, Five Ten is releasing a canvas version, which promises to be more breathable and stand up to water better than the classic leather model.

• $109.95 (both models)
• fiveten.com
• Breathable canvas version coming soon
• Stealth C4 sticky rubber

Patagonia Regulator Series
INTRODUCED: 2000
When Patagonia’s Regulator line of synthetic fleece was introduced 11 years ago, it won Backpacker’s Editors’ Choice Award, and the magazine’s editor in chief, who still uses his original pieces from 2000, says, “They’re the layers I reach for when I’m not testing other things.” Patagonia and Polartec collaborated to create this synthetic layering system, which is available in four weights: R1 as a close-to-skin layer in changing temps; R2 for a bit more warmth as a midlayer; R3 as a midlayer in colder temps; and R4 for windproofing and the coldest situations. Across countless miles, vertical feet, peaks, and countries, our testers and editors lauded the R series for its combination of light weight, insulation, breathability, and durability.

• $119—$249
• patagonia.com
• Warm and breathable
• Can last 10+ years