Each year, our buying team meets with brand representatives to curate a selection of gear designed for climbers of every type, whether you’re a seasoned alpinist, competition climber, trad dad, or weekend warrior. We choose equipment across all climbing disciplines, balancing proven essentials with a few standout pieces we believe will genuinely elevate your game.
Because we’re climbers ourselves, this process is one of our favourite parts of the year. We love seeing how brands push innovation forward, refining designs, introducing new materials, and creating gear that makes climbing safer, lighter, or simply more fun. This article highlights new items that rose to the top from hundreds of products we’ll be bringing in this spring and have all earned a place on our shelves for you to explore at your leisure.
Blackbird by Scarpa
The Scarpa Blackbird represents a new benchmark in high-performance climbing shoes. Built for climbers who demand absolute precision on small holds, steep terrain, and technical sequences, the Blackbird combines cutting-edge materials with an aggressive, supportive design. This is Scarpa’s most advanced shoe to date.
At the core of the Blackbird is a carbon fibre–enhanced midsole, paired with Pebax® Rnew, midsole delivering exceptional stiffness and stability. This translates to powerful edging on micro-features and confident support on sustained terrain. A wrap-around midfoot closure system locks the foot in place, creating a precise, sculpted fit that maximizes power transfer directly through the toes.
The dual-layer microfiber upper balances structure and comfort, while a padded heel improves fit and performance during aggressive heel hooks. Finished with Vibram® XS Grip2 rubber, the Blackbird is unapologetically technical and is designed for climbers who want every advantage when it matters most.
Houdini Rock Jacket by Patagonia
The Free Wall Kit landed this spring, and one standout piece is the Patagonia Men's Houdini Rock Jacket & Women's Houdini Rock Jacket. While not entirely new, it’s been thoughtfully refined for climbers chasing a true “as light as possible” layer that still cuts wind on exposed summer walls.
The Houdini name, after the famous Harry, speaks to ingenuity and pushing limits, and that spirit carries through in a jacket built to move fast, pack small, and perform when it matters.
Built specifically for modern multipitch climbing, this is not just a reworked windbreaker; it’s a purpose-driven layer from Patagonia’s Free Wall Kit, designed around the realities of long routes, marginal rests, and constant movement. At just 130 grams, it’s the kind of piece you forget you packed, until the wind picks up on a belay ledge and you’re very glad you did.
The slim fit keeps things clean under a harness, while extra room through the shoulders allows full overhead mobility without that familiar tug when you’re reaching for the next hold. The extended hem stays put, so you’re not constantly readjusting.
Made from recycled nylon ripstop fabric for wind protection, it also sheds light moisture with a PFAS-free DWR finish, just enough to take the edge off changing conditions without adding bulk. The jacket stuffs into its own chest pocket and clips neatly to your harness, ready to deploy in seconds.
In short, the Houdini Rock Jacket is for climbers on the move, and they expect their gear to keep up.
New GriGri+ by Petzl
The updated GRIGRI+, is a cam-assisted belay device designed to make belaying safer, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
So what’s new? The latest GRIGRI+ is lighter and now shares the same familiar shape as the original GRIGRI, giving it a more natural, confidence-inspiring feel in the hand. The steel lip has been removed, while adjustable friction allows you to fine-tune control based on rope diameter and whether you’re top-roping or lead belaying.
Purpose-built for both top rope and lead climbing, indoors or out, the GRIGRI+ is an excellent choice for climbers learning the ropes and experienced belayers who want precise, consistent control.
The ASSIST+ mode pre-activates the cam, making slack take-up on top rope smoother and more efficient. When lowering, the anti-panic handle engages if pulled too hard, helping prevent uncontrolled rope feed and adding an extra layer of confidence. Cam-assisted braking delivers soft, controlled catches, while the ergonomic design ensures smooth lowers with minimal effort.
Compatible with 8.5–11 mm single ropes, lightweight, and featuring a recycled nylon handle, the GRIGRI+ blends safety and sustainability in one dependable belay device.
Blast Helmet by Blue Ice
The Blue Ice BLAST Helmet redefines what an alpine helmet can be, delivering an unprecedented balance of lightness, comfort, and durability in an ultra-compact form. Designed with a completely rethought hybrid construction, the BLAST is one of the most compact and lightweight alpine helmets on the market, built for climbers and alpinists who demand protection without compromise.
At its core, the BLAST combines an EPP main shell, EPS shock-absorbing insert, polycarbonate outer layer, and Aramid penetration reinforcement. This innovative layering allows for exceptional impact protection and resistance to sharp-object penetration while maintaining an extremely slim profile that feels nearly imperceptible in motion. Outstanding ventilation keeps airflow high during intense efforts, making it ideal for fast-and-light alpine pushes and technical objectives.
The ultra-light, adjustable harness system provides a precise and stable fit across a wide range of head shapes while soft tubular webbing ensures long-term comfort, with a glove-friendly buckle that is easy to operate and integrated headlamp attachments.
The BLAST is for alpinists and climbers who value pure performance, minimal weight, and uncompromising protection.
Sun Hoodies & Sun Protection
Let’s be honest, the days of deeply bronzed, shirtless climbers are fading. With a growing understanding of the long-term damage caused by sun exposure, more climbers are turning to sun hoodies and UPF-focused clothing as a smarter way to stay protected at the crag and in the alpine.
While we didn’t pick out a specific hoodie for the video or write-up, this is more about a broader shift in climbing apparel…the trend is clear. They look and feel great, keep you cool, and offer reliable protection. What’s not to love?
Sun hoodies have quietly become a staple in climbing kits, and for good reason.
We carry men’s sun hoodies and women’s sun hoodies from all the major brands. If you don’t have one in your summer wardrobe yet, we highly recommend checking them out.
At the core of any sun hoodie is its UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. This measures how well a fabric protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays, the wavelengths responsible for sunburn and long-term skin damage. For example, a UPF 30 fabric allows only 1/30th of UV radiation to pass through, significantly reducing exposure over long days outside.
These pieces are designed to be lightweight and breathable, meaning you can wear them all day without overheating. Technical fabrics wick sweat, dry quickly, and allow airflow, essential when you’re working hard on a pitch or hiking into a remote crag.
The built-in hood provides instant protection for your neck and ears, and many designs fit comfortably under a helmet, making them ideal for long multipitch days. They’re just as useful on a cool morning approach as they are under the full intensity of midday sun, and they layer easily under a shell.
In short, it’s one piece with multiple roles, exactly what you want when you’re trying to pack light.
Phoenix Tool Blue Ice (Coming soon)
The Blue Ice Phoenix is a modular, ultra-light technical alpine ice tool designed for climbers who move between classic mountaineering and technical snow and ice. Stripped down to the essentials, the Phoenix delivers the feel and accuracy of a modern ergonomic ice tool in a lighter, more versatile alpine package.
Built around a single-piece, hydroformed aluminum shaft, the Phoenix offers excellent strength and swing control. An aggressive pick angle and textured grip provide confident placements on steep ice, while the new technical pick interface allows full modularity across Blue Ice technical picks, adze, and hammer options. The Phoenix maintains precise feedback without unnecessary weight.
The Phoenix has three configurable modes, allowing climbers to adapt the tool to the objective. Run it fully featured with dual grip positions and a tech pommel for steeper ice, switch to a full-length lower rest for smooth classic mountaineering transitions, or strip it down entirely for a minimalist alpine setup.
Lightweight, adaptable, and purpose-built, the Phoenix is a modern alpine tool for climbers who value efficiency, precision, and versatility in the mountains.
New Friends by Wild Country - Updates (Coming soon)
For 2026, the iconic Friend Cam lineup gets a thoughtful relaunch, blending proven design with targeted upgrades. The most visible change is the new Infinity Sling, designed to extend pieces quickly to reduce rope drag and cut down on extra quickdraws. Built from UHMPE with a protective nylon sheath, it’s tougher and more abrasion-resistant than before, and includes a red wear indicator so you know when it’s time to retire it.
Under the hood, subtle refinements add up. A redesigned trigger shaves 3.8% off the weight, while the familiar 13.75° lobe angle remains, now paired with a new surface texture that delivers 10% more traction on the rock. Handling has also improved, with a new ergonomic thumb loop across the range and a one-handed trigger lock on the #4, making placements and racking easier.
Rounding out the update, a new 0.3 size expands the 4 lobe range into smaller placements, and the cams keep the standard colour coding climbers know. These new Friends will sit alongside the existing cam line, offering a modernized option without losing the character that made them a classic.
C4 Extendable Sling Camalots by Black Diamond
The C4 Camelot you know and love, but now with an extendable sling, helps you save a few quickdrwas form your rack.
The Black Diamond Camalot C4 is the perenial workhorse of trad climbing, simple, strong, and trusted on everything from local crags to big alpine routes.
Its double-axle design gives a huge range per cam; it's easy to place, easy to trust, and built to handle miles of climbing. It’s the piece most climbers rack up without thinking twice.
Bug Pack by Petzl
The Petzl BUG is a slick-looking pack that truly does double duty, clean and compact for multi-pitch climbing, yet easy to drop into everyday life. It’s purpose-built for single-day missions, long approaches, and hanging belays, without feeling overbuilt.
With an 18-litre capacity, it hits the sweet spot for multi-pitch climbing: just big enough for a minimalist kit and lunch, yet small enough to climb in. Top out, clip your helmet to the outside, throw the rope over the top, and head down. This isn’t a multi-day pack; go light for the day, and enjoy the comfort of knowing it’ll carry everything you need for the walk-off.
Designed with climbers in mind, the BUG features an integrated rope carry system, a detachable helmet holder, and a generous main compartment that easily swallows a harness, shoes, and layers. A large external zippered pocket keeps essentials close at hand, like a wind shell or a power bar, while an internal sleeve pulls double duty in city mode for either a laptop or a hydration system. It’s just as practical for biking to work as it is halfway up a route.
Comfort hasn’t been overlooked. Padded shoulder straps and lateral compression webbing provide stability and support on the approach, while the top-opening design makes accessing gear at a hanging belay simple and efficient.
The BUG blends function, durability, and clean aesthetics, ready for daily use and fully at home on the wall.
Whisper Harness by Petzl
While not brand new for this season, the Petzl Whisper Harness is still a standout piece that deserves extra attention. It’s a highly technical harness, but what really sets it apart is its versatility across disciplines.
Want a lightweight harness for sport climbing? Yes.
A trad harness that can carry a full rack? Yes.
An alpine harness that packs down small for big objectives? Yes.
An ice-climbing–ready harness? Also yes.
It manages to cover all of that while staying impressively thin, light, and comfortable, striking a rare balance between minimalism and all-round performance.
The Whisper is an ultralight harness built around MATRYX® Technology fabric and weighs just 170 g (size M), making it one of the lightest full-featured climbing harnesses in its class. The core construction uses high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE), nylon, and polyester fibres, improving breathability and moisture transfer during movement.
HMPE reinforcement is integrated into the tie-in points, webbing, and gear loops, significantly increasing abrasion resistance in high-wear areas. The design is built around five gear loops, including dedicated CARITOOL slots for ice clippers and alpine tool organisation.
In short, it’s a sub-200 g harness that combines ultralight construction, reinforced durability, and full alpine functionality, without unnecessary bulk.
Canary Eco dry by Edelrid 8.8mm
Light, versatile, and engineered for performance, the Edelrid Canary Pro Dry 8.8 mm rope stands out as one of the thinnest and most capable dynamic ropes in its category. At just 52 g per metre with an 8.8 mm diameter, it’s exceptionally light without compromising strength, making it a great choice for climbers focused on weight savings on alpine missions or hard sport red points. Its robust sheath also delivers enhanced durability compared to many other lightweight ropes.
Durability and reliability are built into the Canary from the ground up. The Pro Dry finish provides durable water and dirt repellency, keeping the rope manageable in wet or dirty conditions with water absorption of less than 2 %, significantly better than UIAA standards require. Thermo Shield treatment ensures a smooth, supple feel, while 3D lap coiling lets you use the rope out of the bag with minimal fuss.
Perhaps most impressively for its size, the Canary carries triple certification, meaning it can be used as a single, half, or twin rope depending on your climbing application.
Assist Belay Resistor by Mammut
The belay resistor concept has expanded over the past few years, with larger manufacturers bringing competing devices to market. This year, Mammut introduces the Assist Belay Resistor, a lightweight, game-changing device that attaches to the first quickdraw and increases rope friction, allowing a lighter belayer to safely catch and control a heavier lead climber.
Its patented cam design activates only during a fall or lowering, keeping the rope flowing smoothly while delivering soft, controlled catches—perfect for dynamic belaying. The device also makes lowering heavier climbers easier, and it’s simple to release once engaged.
A Boost Mode ramps up resistance when clipped to the first bolt via a locking carabiner, handling larger weight differences quickly and safely. Even with just the first quickdraw in the system, the device activates to reduce the risk of groundfalls early in the pitch.
Ideal for gym sessions or outdoor routes, it’s compatible with single ropes 8.7–11 mm, and supports a weight difference of up to 35 kg, increasing to 45 kg in Boost Mode.
New Men's Crux & Women's Crux Approach shoe by Scarpa
The Scarpa Crux 2 builds on the legacy of one of the most trusted approach shoes in climbing. Updated with a refreshed upper design while preserving the proven elements that made the original a best-seller, the Crux 2 delivers dependable performance for approaches, scrambles, and everyday use. It’s the definition of a true do-it-all shoe for climbers who value simplicity, durability, and grip.
A lace-to-toe closure provides precise adjustment and control on uneven terrain, while the durable suede upper balances long-term comfort with classic approach-shoe style. Underfoot, the Vibram® outsole with Megagrip offers exceptional traction on rock, giving confidence whether you’re navigating talus, third-class terrain, or short technical steps.
Lightweight, comfortable, and versatile, the Crux 2 transitions seamlessly from trail to crag to town. Designed for climbers who want one reliable shoe that can handle it all.
Granite 22L Pack by La Sportiva
The La Sportiva Granite 22L Backpack is built for climbers and mountaineers who demand lightweight performance without compromising durability. Constructed from high-tenacity ROBIC® Nylon, this 22L pack delivers excellent abrasion resistance while keeping unnecessary bulk to a minimum, perfect for alpine missions.
Access your gear easily through the top drawstring or a side zipper, while the extendable top flap adapts to varying loads and securing ropes. Removable external attachments let you customise the pack for your objectives, including ice axe or pole holders, elastic cords for spare layers, and side straps that double as ski carriers or compression straps.
Comfort under load is key: the Granite 22 features a structured, thermoformed back panel, fully adjustable shoulder straps with a load-distribution system, and a waist belt with removable hip pads for a personalised fit. With thoughtful touches like daisy chains, helmet attachment points, and a dedicated internal pocket with key clip, this pack balances versatility, durability, and comfort for a wide range of alpine adventures.
Griffin 10 Crampon & Griffin 12 Crampon by Blue Ice
The Blue Ice Griffin 10 Crampons and Griffin 12 Crampons are modern, ultra-light crampon systems designed for fast-moving alpine objectives where weight, precision, and adaptability are key.
At their core, both models use a 2mm chromoly steel frame, engineered for efficient penetration into snow and ice while keeping weight impressively low. The 10-point version weighs around 740 g per pair, while the 12-point version increases coverage and security for more technical terrain, at roughly 780–800 g per pair, depending on configuration.
10-point vs 12-point
Griffin 10: Optimized for glacier travel, ski touring, and general mountaineering. It prioritizes walking efficiency, stability on hard snow, and fast movement.
Griffin 12: Adds extra front points for improved traction on steeper snow, ice, and mixed alpine terrain, making it the more secure option when conditions become more technical.
Speed adjustment system
One of the standout features of the Griffin system is its quick-adjust central bar and sliding heel mechanism, allowing fast length changes in the field without tools. A locking sliding collar secures the fit once set, keeping the crampon stable while still allowing quick on-the-go adjustments—ideal when switching between different boots or adapting to changing conditions.
Boot compatibility & configurations
A major strength of the Griffin platform is its interchangeable binding system, which allows multiple configurations depending on footwear:
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Strap / universal system: Compatible with almost any boot, including flexible trekking or ski boots.
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Semi-auto (heel bail only): Designed for boots with a rear welt, offering improved precision and security.
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Automatic / step-in (heel + toe bail): For fully crampon-compatible mountaineering boots with front and rear welts, providing maximum performance on technical terrain.
This modular design means a single crampon platform can cover everything from ski touring to technical alpine and ice climbing, depending on setup.
Warthog 30 & Warthog 45 by Blue Ice
This pack is a stripped-back alpine pack built without unnecessary weight or clutter.
The Warthog 30 is around 630g, an impressively light for a fully featured 30L pack, yet still carries everything you need for alpine days, from ropes and helmets to ice tools and layers. Built from tough 210D ripstop nylon, it’s designed to handle rough rock, snow, and constant use in the alpine.
The design is all about efficiency: a low-profile harness-inspired carry system, removable frame and hipbelt, plus clean external carry options for ice axes, rope, and helmet. Everything can be stripped down depending on the objective, making it as minimal or as supportive as you need.
In short, it’s a no-nonsense alpine pack light, fast, and built for long mountain days.
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