Climbing

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[harness]Metolius Climbing Safe Tech Comp Rarely is a harness great for both beginners and experts. The former desire comfort and durability, weight be damned, while the latter want to cut as many grams as possible. The Safe Tech Comp appeases the entire spectrum by packing maximum strength into every component of the still-svelte harness. From belt to leg loops to the two gear loops, all are rated to hold weight during a fall (normally just the belay loop earns that degree of engineering). And it comes in a tiny package that even first-time climbers found comfortable. “I never felt restricted raising my leg looking for footholds, and when I took a fall, nothing pinched,” says one tester. $89; 13 oz. (M); metoliusclimbing.com

[rope]Petzl Xion 10.1The editors at our sister magazine, Climbing, deemed this all-purpose cord their “go-to workhorse rope” after using it for everything from top-roping vertical pitches in Boulder Canyon to leading overhanging sport routes on Colorado’s Shelf Road. Why? Despite its stout 10.1-mm diameter (which adds strength and durability), it handles easily and is very flexible. Other ropes of this size felt stiffer and a bit more unruly. “This is the perfect rope for a beginning climber who wants to try a little bit of everything and have one rope to do it all,” says Climbing’s gear editor. Nice touch: The rope comes from the shop ready to flake out—no specialized uncoiling or tedious untangling required. $199; 8 lbs. 11 oz. (60m); petzl.com

A lightweight, crag-tested collection for new climbers

WHEN YOU GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, MAkE SURE IT’S A ROUND TRIP.

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