If you are contemplating getting the Black Diamond Rotor swivel or not for hauling the answer is yes. Its advantages far out-weight its disadvantages---if it even has any.

The Backcountry.com Prime Power Stretch Top is my favorite layer. Powerstretch has one of the best warmth to weight ratios out there. It wears like 100 weight fleece, but insulates similar to 200, and its slightly wind proof. I'm 5'11" 160 lbs and the MED fits well. I am also having problems with the stitching but I'm just going to deal with it and possibly put a couple of reinforcements in place. Great price!

I have now had 4 marathon ropes of different diameter and they are bomber. They handle well and don't flatten out over time like some ropes. The 10.1 is probably the most versatile size as it is perfect for multi-pitch routes to sport climbing. Comparing this rope to others, it has great qualities in relation to its weight as it is light for its diameter(grams/meter), relatively low impact force, and the elongation is at a good %. The sheath takes abuse well and its great for climbing on course rocks like granite. I use the 10.7 marathon for a big-wall climbing rope.

This is such a versatile piece of equipment and it is not bulky. It works very well with the Petzl Attache biner (PTZ0204).

The Merino Crew Shirt is super rad. This piece is very comfy, no itching, quick drying, great quality, and has a lower price tag than other similar merino wool tops. I bought a MED and LRG and I'm 5'11" 155 lbs. The large fits well, the MED was way tight (especially in the arms and I don't have big guns), and I usually wear a MED for this type of shirt.

The design and function are good. Great durability on the palm for belaying/rappelling. These will break your bank for aid climbing if you do it often. Mine got quite trashed after only a few walls. My $10 goat skin gloves from Wally World have lasted much longer and did the job just as well. They work fine but won't last long and are way too expensive.

The toes are blown out on both of my shoes after only 2 walls in Zion. Great fit and performance but they won't last long.

Nice little stove. Arms get a bit flimsy over time. Have had mine for over 5 years and no problems. Comes with hard case.

I have had this helmet for years and have had no complaints about it. Easy adjustment even while wearing it. Headlamp clips hold up well and it seems to be very durable overall. I wear mine w/ and w/o a hat and never have problems with fit. One of the best helmets out there.

This is a great headlamp. Versatile, as you can wear it almost anywhere. The retracting cord is surprisingly strong as I have had mine for years and have had no problems. Barely fits around a helmet (I have the Petzl Elios). No band so it eliminates bulk, and it fits easily in a pocket. I would recommend spending a couple extra bucks and getting the Zipka Plus however as it has more features.

I have had mine for 6 or 7 years and they are going strong. They will not pack out and have great support for walking or standing all day. Everyone should own a pair of Chacos! They run a bit large. I usually wear a 9.5 and a 9 fits perfect, so size down if you are in-between sizes. Expensive but they will last and are worth the money. You can get them resoled for about $30-40. Great traction also, I have climbed 5.10 in them.

This harness is very light and simple to use with the fixed leg loops and pre-threaded DoubleBack buckle. I also think the swami is big and the leg loops are small. The rear gear loop does not hang down far enough. Great for sport climbing or multipitch routes as long as you are not going to be hanging a lot.

Every climber should own one. This may be the most versatile piece of climbing equipment I own. You can use it for belaying, rappeling, self-belay, ascending a rope, hauling, and if you blow in the right spot it is an emergency whistle (jk, I have not actually tried that). It will catch skinny ropes even though not recommended. It is a small price to pay for that extra secure feeling it gives you when the you got the beginner belayer. If someone says they don't like it or trust it, it is because they don't know how to properly use it.

I bought this North Face Destiny Down Jacket as a gift for my sister, and it has a flattering look. She looks great and it is a nice casual piece. I would have to confess it fits a little on the small side. Standard quilted pattern, not too "puffy", just right.

The Pro Traxion is pretty much the standard wall climbing hauling device for big loads. If you want to save a little weight and are not hauling hundreds of pounds then the mini traxion is probably sufficient. Smooth pulley, cam always locks well, easy to operate and work with. Well worth the money if you want to suffer from hauling heavy bags.

The positron biners are sweet for clipping. They are somewhat lightweight but mainly designed with easy clipping and unclipping in mind. They are similar to the Petzl Spirit carabiners, but these are a few bucks cheaper and just as good quality. The biners by themself also work well for racking stoppers and other things.

I have owned this pad for several years now and have been overall impressed. It was designed to shed weight yet still be comfortable. No, it is not as comfy as other pads but it is lighter and saves space for other stuff. I do have to inflate it a bit more than some other pads I have owned in order not to hit the ground and I'm not a fat ass. If you want to save some weight and have some room for other crucial equipment, then this pad is the way to go. For a bit more padding with minimal weight get the Prolite 4.

If you want to add a little steez to your technique get this shoe. Seriously, this shoe is pretty good for the price. I think Mad Rock tends to fit a little narrow. I have also had the Flash Velcro, and I like this shoe better because you can dial in the sizing a bit more with the laces. Pretty good all around shoe for the money. I wear a 9.5 street shoe and I usually get a size 9 MR----they are a tight fit for me. I would recommend ordering your street shoe size if you don't have a chance to try before you buy.

This shoe performs well for bouldering and bolt clipping. I would not use them for multi-pitch routes or crack climbing----mabey if you size them big---but this is not the shoe's purpose. I went down 2.5 sizes from my street shoe and they have stretched out about 1/2 size or so. Great fit and feel, good heel for hooking, nice toe for grabbing on the steeeeeeeeep!!

I bought the 3 smallest sizes for aid climbing and I have not really used them that much. I would not really want to take wippers on the smallest size. They can be tricky to remove if heavily weighted because of the soft material on the "sliding ball". They are obviously great for small cracks and for podded out pin scars. They are definitely not my "go to" piece but a nice addition to a standard free or aid rack.

I have the free and aid set of these nuts and they are awesome. I would say they are the most similar offset nut on the market to the HB Brass Nuts which are hard to find no days. I would say next to the HB Brass Nuts, they are the best. Great for any type of rock----esp. pin scared cracks.

I went out climbing some offwidth cracks my first day wearing these pants and was constantly jamming my knees in the cracks. I thought I was going to destroy the pants but there was not 1 seam or thread torn. I was really impressed at how well they did against abrasion. I am 5'11", 150 and usually wear a 32 in most pants. The medium fit perfectly and this pant is great for climbing, hiking, or traveling.

I have used the harness on a few walls and it has worked really well. The gear loop on the rear on the harness is nice because it is so large. I wish the other gear loops were a little bit larger. Its does well for hanging belays but is not too bulky for free climbing. Well constructed and thought out----usually quality from Black Diamond. Also comes with a removable hammer holster for the nail ups.

These shorts are quite versatile. Use them for climbing, yogo, hiking, swimming, underwear, or whatever you may think of. Simple design, quick drying, mesh pockets--these shorts allow a great amount of leg movement and are super comfy.

This is my second pair of these gloves (I lost my other pair). I tried a pair from a different company and they did not stand up to BD's quality. They fit a bit small, size up if anything. Surprisingly warm for their weight--great for cold biking or anything really active in cold weather--great for a liner glove. Everyone should own 1 pair of powerstretch gloves.