Mammut

Nordwand Alpine Belay Device

A heavy, but rugged tube style device

This device is very heavy compared to its competitors, but it is MUCH tougher. This is a great workhorse device.

Light and cool

Heat dispersion is great. Won't burn your hand off after a quick belay or rappel.

This is a great durable belay device that can be used in guide mode. It has a really solid feel and it my go-to when I need a tube-style belay device. Definitely overkill for someone just getting into the sport or someone who really only climbs in a gym, but a great to have for anyone who's going on some longer climbs outside.

Needed a belay device for skinny ropes and the Alpine Belay fits the bill. Works well with thick ropes to but isn't quite as smooth as an ATC. Works surprisingly well on frozen ropes.

This is my second device of this model. The first developed loose rivets pretty quickly and I retired it. It may have been a manufacturing defect. Despite this initial negative experience, the positive features of this belay device prompted me to try again. I have given fewer than 10 stars because of my initial bad experience. If I had more confidence in durability, I would give 10. 1. The device has found the best balance between friction and smooth rope feeding that I have seen in a tube-style belay device. Even 10mm ropes feed through well and at the same time, catching a lead fall on sub-9.5mm single ropes is secure and does not require a heavy hand. 2. It's pretty light 3. The steel doesn't ware as fast as modern alloys. I seem to only get a couple seasons on aluminium alloy belay devices before they are worn enough for me to retire them. I am very conservative on this and most climbers might not retire their belay devices as quickly as I do, but if the back of the device starts feeling the tiniest bit sharp, I prefer to use something else. 4. Lowering from above while in autobloc mode works pretty well. About as well as Black Diamond and Petzl alternatives I have tried, maybe a little better. I think it is not as good as DMM's device for this particular use.

SMooth, runs a good belay

Product does what its supposed to. The unit still heats up on rappels, not sure if its more or less compared to other devices but its a good unit. The firm bar makes it hard to release the rope from the belay without taking the whole unit out of the locker, when compared to a Petzl with a wire attachment point but I feel confident in this unit for durability.

Great all around belay device

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

The Nordwand Alpine seems to have less friction than other belay devices when belaying from above. My elbows appreciate this! It has good "bite" for rappels and is light and simple. The plate style hangers rather than cables are a bit of an adjustment, but no big deal really.

Light, effective, efficient

Very light, doesn't heat up on rappel, feeds very smoothly.

Versatile and durable device

I've used the Reverso and the ATC for years, but decided to get the Alpine Belay this season as my previous device worn out. I'm very happy with it. Functionally, it does what you expect from this category of devices. It works very well with single and double ropes (I've used 8.5 through 9.5mm), has a well balanced catch when lead belaying and just the right amount of friction when rappelling and belaying from the top. Given the different material on the high friction parts (steel), I expect this device to be more durable than my previous. Also, it heats up substantially less on long rappels. One minor downside for me personally: the typical wire of other devices is part of the central metal plate and rigid - hence you can't pull the rope loops and clip/unclip the biner without unclipping the biner from the device as easily.