Outdoor gear lab nuts. Our team of climbing experts.
Outdoor gear lab nuts. In the early 1970s, they led climbers away from hammering pitons and toward the clean climbing era. May 19, 2023 · We thoroughly tested nut tools from Metolius, Wild Country, Camp USA, and Black Diamond to help you find the best Nov 23, 2021 · The Camp USA Nut Tool takes a basic nut tool design and adds some ergonomics. However, it does have one unique feature: On its back end are two little teeth specifically designed for helping fish out walked-in cams. That Jul 2, 2025 · A great sleeping bag can make your overnights in the outdoors more comfortable, more fun, and hopefully more affordable. In reality, nut tools can get caught on rocks and slings due to their hook shape. Jun 10, 2025 · There's no replacing a high-quality layering system to keep you toasty warm. Check out our reviews to find the best match for all your outdoor activities. With extremely well thought-out features like over-sized zipper pulls and spacious Mar 24, 2025 · We tested the 17 best trekking poles from Black Diamond, MSR, Leki, REI, and more to help you find your perfect pair. These tiny pieces of passive protection revolutionized what is possible with traditionally placed gear when they were first released. The right climbing gear is the difference between epic and awesome. The shape put it slightly below average for hooking cam triggers to help with freeing cams. Even now, after several updates and a lot more fierce competition, they remain one of the very best nuts for the Dec 14, 2009 · Omega Pacific Wedgies might have a strange name but they are a great foundation for any climber's rack. Apr 12, 2025 · We tested the top 11 hiking shorts for men from Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Prana, REI, and others to find the best May 23, 2025 · We tested 15 hiking daypacks from top outdoor brands and the most popular budget options to help you find the very best Apr 28, 2025 · Over the past 9 seasons, our experts have tested over 50 of the best backcountry ski bindings. The best hiking shoes for women? Check. 5 days ago · We've run thousands of miles to test the top 69 pairs of men's and women's trail running shoes from the most compelling manufacturers like Hoka, Salomon Mar 5, 2025 · The Outdoor Research Helium is among the lightest jackets we've tested here at GearLab, with a measured weight of 6. I have used all the products in this review, alone on multi-pitch routes and at other times testing features with side-by-side comparisons. Oct 31, 2024 · Our recommendations are here to help you find the best nuts and stoppers while saving time at the computer and keeping more money in your wallet. Someone has to do it. The heads are made of hard and wear-resistant copper-infiltrated iron instead of the normal brass or bronze. You can detach it from your harness easily, free a stuck nut with one gentle poke and carry on with grace and style. May 12, 2025 · We tested 17 mountain bike shorts from Fox Racing, Troy Lee Designs, POC, Patagonia, and more to find the best. We didn't try to break this tool, but it sure feels like we could if we Jan 6, 2020 · A great complement to existing nuts you may already have on your rack or for use is an alpine set. Wallnuts have a larger curve than most, making them among the best we reviewed at fitting into parallel cracks. Awards to: DMM Climbing & Cypher Climbing. Omega Pacific was the first company to make the heads of their nuts anodized, a feature now nearly standard in the industry. Over the last decade, we have purchased and evaluated hundreds of base layers for men and women, wearing them on climbing About GearLab Welcome to The Outdoor Gear Lab, your trusted source for comprehensive and unbiased gear reviews in the outdoor industry. At GearLab, we pride ourselves on providing ad-free and reader-supported reviews. Wedgies are also among the better priced nuts we tested. Having the right pair of flat pedal mountain bike shoes can help your feet stay planted on your pedals. May 5, 2025 · We tested the top 39 hiking boots from Salomon, La Sportiva, Merrell, Altra, Hoka, and more to find the best pairs for day trips and backpacking adventures. From cardio to stretching, our team tested the equipment to find the best of the best. May 5, 2025 · We tested 17 belay devices from Petzl, Black Diamond, Camp, and more to find the best model for your adventures. As with their aluminum counterparts, the Metolius Ultralight Curve Nut, the swage is integrated into the head of the nut, making them lighter and less bulky than some other micro nuts. Both alloys are softer metals than the more common aluminum. Sleeping bag designs, however, can be as complicated and varied as those who snuggle inside them. For those familiar with May 6, 2025 · We bought the nine best carabiners and tested them side by side on alpine peaks, sport crags, and stellar multi-pitch climbs. They fit into narrower pods extremely well because of their skinny heads and single cable. In addition to these four, our bevy of outdoor gear testers includes dozens of other mountain guides, educators, and recreational enthusiasts, all of whom contributed their expertise to round out in-depth research and testing on these award-winning products. We looked at the best climbing nuts currently available and chose 8 of the most popular and high-performing models to test side by side. It isn't yours, so you tend to race around in it like you stole it. And when you master some Tent Reviews Our outdoor experts test the best from Big Agnes, The North Face, Nemo, Marmot, Zpacks and more. We measure how warm they keep us, travel to the coldest places on the planet in them, and judge May 1, 2025 · We bought and tested 25 top-rated coolers from Yeti, Igloo, RTIC, Canyon, and more to find the best model for your next adventure. This boot is suitable for day hikes and easier trails, though it really shines for the backpackers who want the best Planning to hike, read, cook, or bike at night? Look no further than our comprehensive reviews to illuminate your every activity. com The Best Climbing Nuts and Stoppers Apr 15, 2020 · The CAMP USA Photon Lock is a full sized screw gate locker with an offset-D shape that is versatile, incredibly light, and comes at a fantastic price. Oct 29, 2024 · The Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex is one of our favorite men's hiking boots. Climbing cams increase your safety, acting as anchor points in cracks and crevices where bolts are lacking. The result feels like holding an ice tool made for babies. Hardshells, softshells, rain shells, and so much more! GearLab helps you find the right jacket for your outdoor adventures. Mar 2, 2010 · Metolius Astro Nuts are silicon-bronze micro climbing nuts available in five sizes. Got shelter? Our testers have spent months in the wind, rain and sun evaluating the best camping tents in the biz, bare-bones top ultralight shelters, and everything in between. The result is it isn't as durable as aluminum headed models but much like brass models, slightly deforms to the Jan 20, 2010 · In 1979 Mark Vallance created the first curved nut with three points of contact instead of the usual two points typical of other nut designs. A well-designed base layer is my trusted companion through the deep chill of winter and even once spring hits, offering thermoregulation when outdoor pursuits take me high and nights remain cold. Ensuring you have the best down sleeping bag for your budget is a game changer. 5 days ago · Trish is a climber, yoga aficionado, and all-around mountainista. Hit the Trail! Jan 7, 2020 · We chose 8 of the most popular and high-performing models to test side-by-side. We examined and weighed factors that we believed most appropriate for alpine, aid, and free climbing. They Mar 3, 2010 · Frost Works nuts use a time-tested design that sets these apart from other nuts. Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 15 climbing harnesses from Petzl, Black Diamond, Blue Ice, and more to find the top options for all climbing styles. They tend to review higher end gear, across most every category, but they'll also usually include 'budget' offerings. Is there anything more useful than a backpack? Find your perfect companion for hiking, climbing, travel, hydration, and so much more. When you make a purchase through our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, enabling us to continue our unbiased testing and support our readers. 5 ounces, making it ideal for those prioritizing packability above all else. The result is an ok nut tool that's on the heavy end of the spectrum, and a short knife that's perfect for removing tat or Aug 29, 2012 · Nutrition Awesome nutrition: ProBars are full of organic nuts and seeds, organic fruit for vitamins and antioxidants and are 90% organic. The Caranut is one of the lighter packages on the market. When you are in the mountains, the right gear is often the difference between a sufferfest and something you'd like to do again. From big wall gear like ascenders and haul bags to everyday necessities like rock climbing ropes and top-rated carabiners, we have you covered. Apr 30, 2024 · The Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 is an energized model that is great for easy-to-moderate trails or running around town. Outdoor Gear Lab is, IMO, the gold standard. siteContent blocked Please turn off your ad blocker. The Helium includes several features from an adjustable hood and hem to a chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, making it a relatively versatile layer. Dec 13, 2009 · DMM Wallnuts are also known to be extremely durable, a result of hot forging the heads of the smaller size nuts. This model builds on the success of the earlier Quest models, with the addition of some notable new technologies that increase stability and durability, as well as a weight savings of nearly half a pound. When they were released, they were considered a niche piece, but now Nov 23, 2021 · The Black Diamond Wiregate nut tool is an effective, gimmick-free nut tool that has a few features that differentiate it from its competitors (Metolius). Decades later, Frost re-introduced the straight-sided, tapered design with the Sentinel Nut Dec 13, 2009 · Likes Wild Country Superlight Rocks fit all types of cracks. Since 2010, our team has tested 250+ of the most popular sleeping bags in the field, carrying them on family camping trips, fast and light backpacking adventures, and remote Apr 28, 2025 · We purchased and tested 18 of the best backcountry ski boots from Tecnica, Scarpa, Dynafit, Atomic, Lange, Salomon, La Sportiva and more. This double curve GearLab provides the world's best reviews of outdoors gear based on in-depth side-by-side comparison and written by outdoor professionals. Our hiking and running experts take the top shirts on the trails, and in the sun, to help you find what gives the best protection and performance. outdoor Gear Lab’s top 6 climbing harnesses sorted by climbing discipline. Our expert team has a combined 40 years of climbing experience and has field-tested the best climbing gear since the inception of our site The profile of the Black Diamond Nut Tool is slightly above the pack for squeezing into thin cracks to retrieve smaller pieces. Their front-to-back shape, which is the same as Rocks on a Wire, works well in parallel sided cracks. From skis and boots, to helmets and gloves, we can help you find the perfect snow sport gear, the meets your budget. Our expert Shirt Reviews We review the best shirts from Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Outdoor Research, Arc’teryx and more. We discuss some of the most important attributes of a climbing harness and walk you through a step-by-step buying Sep 1, 2023 · We tested climbing slings and runners from Mammut, Black Diamond, Petzl, Sterling and others to find the absolute best Jul 9, 2025 · Find the best outdoor and yard tools with the expert reviews by GearLab. Aug 20, 2024 · Did you know that GearLab started out as an offshoot of the acclaimed climber's resource, SuperTopo? It only makes sense that we'd have in-depth reviews for the best climbing gear on the market. Nov 23, 2021 · The aptly named Metolius Feather is the lightest tool in our review, and while it does compromise a little in the durability factor, we feel it's plenty tough for freeing the occasional stuck cam in the alpine or working out a nut or two your partner weighted after whimpering our favorite four-letter word for shame (take). But peenuts have a few advantages, including the fact that they are swaged and the brass are soldered so the wires on the brass will kink much more easily. Nearly all other nuts would follow this lead. Apr 2, 2025 · Looking for more bike and bike-related gear reviews? We test complete bikes and accessories, including the top-ranked mountain bike helmets, mountain bike tires, and a ton more bike gear categories. In this update, we select 17 of the current market's best to hack away at waterfalls, chop steps, and practice our self-arrest techniques. Warmly embraced by some testers, reviled by others, the keeper cord sets this tool apart, but the WC Pro Key also shares some similar characteristics with our favorite nut tool, the Metolius Torque. Wild Country Rocks on a Wire, descendants of that original curved nut, are said by Wild Country to be “ probably the best selling piece of pro ever. We recently purchased 24 of today's top bindings to test Snowboarding Gear Reviews The top products, under review: Gordini, Hestra, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, Oakley and Salomon. Beginner climbers can use almost any climbing harness, whereas more experienced and skilled climbers will prefer a more specialized harness for different climbing styles. We look at both straight and curve shaft options with a wide variety of uses, including technical, vertical ice climbing, ski mountaineering, and glacial travel. While it is designated as a waterproof jacket From jackets to socks, let OutdoorGearLab help you find the right men's clothing to fit your budget and needs Oct 2, 2018 · Testing gear can be a little like driving a rental car. See every brand, compare every detail, and find the best price. Our expert ski testers guide you through the ever-changing world of top snow gear. Add a #5 and 6? May 7, 2025 · We put 15 locking carabiners from Petzl, CAMP, Black Diamond, DMM and others to the test to find you the absolute best. Tom Frost, along with Yvon Chouinard, designed and engineered the first artificial chocks manufactured in North America. We felt the shoe provided good energy transfer and a comfortable ride. Jun 2, 2025 · The right jacket can turn freezing temps and biting winds into an open invitation to get outside and stay comfortable. Its built-in carabiner is very user-friendly Nov 30, 2019 · Deep in the backcountry, self-reliance is key, and the savvy climber will want to carry a knife for various climbing and non-climbing related applications. In these side-by-side comparisons, we focus on comfort to pound on, thin crack performance, and cam trigger Dec 10, 2009 · Likes In addition to being lightest nut tool we tested, the Ushba added a lot of extra pounding surface at end to allow easier nut removal without bruising your hands. All the gear involved in camping can seem overwhelming, but our reviews are here to walk you through every aspect and get you into the outdoors in style and comfort. The upper wasn't our favorite, and the knit design put way too much pressure on the top of our feet. Our team of climbing experts Dec 1, 2009 · At first glance the Nutter appears no different than many other nut tools. Chris is the author of 10 books, a big-wall climbing expert, and a recovering ex-Wingsuit BASE jumper. ” Rocks have the largest size run of any nut set we Oct 25, 2024 · The DMM Alloy Offset nuts are the latest iteration of the original HB offset nut. This did relax over time, but the first miles we experienced with the shoe weren't our favorite, and we'd Mountaineering Gear Reviews We tested the latest and the greatest from Black Diamond, La Sportiva, Garmin, MSR, Gregory and The North Face. We buy all the products, just like you do, so we can publish 100% unbiased reviews. Apr 4, 2025 · If you plan on trad climbing, cams are essential. To that end, our expert reviewers unselfishly tied their laces and took to the desert, valleys, coasts, and mountains to test the full roster of shoes and boots. Our testers Jun 4, 2025 · Choosing the right gear can help you achieve your goals regardless of where you are on your fitness journey. From hiking shorts, to biking and running, GearLab has reviewed them all and can help you pick the right one for you! Chris is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of the GearLab websites. We are passionate outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about the gear and equipment you need for your adventures. For a little less weight and durability, check out the Black Diamond Wire Gate nut tool. Since 2012, we've bought over 160 top-rated winter jackets, tested them to sub-zero temperatures, hiked around town in whipping winter winds, and shoveled small mountains of snow. Jul 8, 2025 · We run more than 50 miles in every pair of shoes we test, putting top models head to head to find the best from Nike, Hoke, Saucony, New Balance, Asics Jun 18, 2025 · We tested backpacking backpacks from Osprey, Granite Gear, Gregory, REI and more to find the best models. For the ounce-counters, the Metolius Feather is a better choice with its sub-1-ounce weight. It cleaned nuts quite well though. We can help you decide what's right for you. Feb 26, 2025 · We tested 18 top backpacking tents from Big Agnes, REI, Nemo, Hilleberg, and others to find the best models for your next adventure. Foremost is the generous clip-in point, which is the largest and easiest to remove from your harness. Dec 13, 2009 · The Black Diamond Micro Stopper were the most durable micro climbing nut we tested. This set is produced in the most commonly used sizes but lacks any of the larger and smaller (less frequently used) dimensions that make it difficult for them to be a stand-alone all-purpose set. He’s climbed Yosemite's Apr 10, 2025 · We put 13 pairs of hiking pants to the test from Arc'teryx, REI, Patagonia, Prana, Columbia, and more to find the best options for your outdoor excursions. Here are our in-depth reviews! Dec 19, 2019 · Step 3: Double up the finger sizes (3 cams), add in 1-3 micro cams, buy a set of micro nuts (usually 6-8 nuts), add another #3 and a #4 sized cam. They fit in flares better than most of the nuts we tested save for Peenuts, DMM Alloy Offsets and Brass Offsets. Outdoor gear lab agrees with them. Apr 21, 2025 · We bought and tested the top rooftop tents from Thule Tepui, iKamper, Roofnest, CVT, Yakima, Smittybilt, and more to find the best fit for your investment. Mar 27, 2019 · What is the best backpacking food to take on your next adventure? Eating well while backpacking isn't easy, but it can be done. The large cables are less prone to kinking and feature an extremely aggressive curved taper to help them grab onto anything they can. Awards to: DMM Climbing & Cypher Climbing outdoorgearlab. Best running shoes? Check. The best jacket and other outdoor clothing is the one that meets you needs and budget. Energy Complex GF carbs, nut and seed protein, using evaporated cane juice (glycemic index 55) - how much better can it get? Just like Olympic gymnastics, you know a 10 when it sticks to your teeth. These features catapulted it to near the top of our overall ratings, and at such a low price, makes it a shoe-in winner of our Best Bang for the Buck Award. Every year, our selfless testers hit the slopes (and backcountry) to shred pow on the best snowboards on the market. From cozy long underwear for chilly adventures to light, packable, breathable options for travel, we put it all to the test to help you find the best option for your next outing. Nov 23, 2021 · The Wild Country Pro Key is a unique tool that features an extendable leash to keep ol' butterfingers from launching it down the Zodiac (a clean fall, all the way to the ground). It Nov 23, 2021 · The Torque is a tester favorite because it strikes a good balance of weight, durability, and functionality. The Offset Micro uses a copper-iron mix with similar overall characteristics to brass. Get the latest info on the top backpacking, hiking and camping gear from OutdoorGearLab's experts Jan 28, 2022 · Over the last 10 years, we've tested over 21 of the best ice axes on the market. Nov 21, 2024 · Nuts have long been a staple of outdoor nutrition, offering excellent ratios of fats and protein in a low-glycemic, slow-burning package that can sustain you all day. At GearLab, our roots are in rock climbing, as the website started as an offshoot of SuperTopo. We used the nut in both Jan 7, 2020 · A relative newcomer to the offset micro nut market, the Black Diamond Offset Micro offers some new tweaks on the older classic designs. Jan 30, 2018 · Totem Cams are our favorite cams for aid climbing because of their ability to engage only two lobes at a time, allowing for an endless array of strange Dec 19, 2023 · This article is intended to help climbers of all experiences and ability levels choose the right harness. We tested them Learn how we tested the best Nuts And Stoppers in our review: The Best Climbing Nuts and Stoppers. Climbing Magazine once computed that three percent of Chris's life on earth had been spent on the face of El Capitan—an accomplishment that has left friends and family pondering Chris’ sanity. This gave them the best holding power in parallel-sided cracks. May 14, 2025 · We tested 17 of the best backpacking sleeping bags out there today to find the coziest options for your next adventure The perfect sock can make all the difference on a long day out. Oct 29, 2021 · We field tested 7 of the best climbing nut tools in 2025 from top brands like Metolius and Black Diamond. Besides weighing in less than many tiny, compact lockers, the Photon Lock also comes 3 days ago · We researched the best nuts for trad climbing and came to the conclusion that the best nuts for trad climbing is the May 19, 2025 · We ran 16 women's rain jackets through their paces to learn which stand up to the worst squalls, and these are our top favorites. The burly Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody suffered some serious mistreatment, misapplication, and the occasional misadventure during testing without much evidence of its hardship. The 7 Best Climbing Shoes of 2024: Reach New Heights with Confidence and Precision How to Choose the Right Climbing Harness Best Rock Climbing Shoes for Kids of 2024: Encourage Adventure and Skill Development The 3 Best Rope Bags for Climbing: Organize and Protect Your Gear with Confidence Find the best climbing nuts from Black Diamond, CAMP, DMM, Metolius, Omega Pacific, Wild Country. It has large finger holes, offering better grip for pulling and stabbing. Mar 13, 2015 · The GearLab mission is simple: to create world's best outdoor gear reviews. Whether you're building a home gym or just looking for a piece or two, we have researched and tested the top exercise equipment. It is the longest nut tool we tested, providing the ability to extract extra deep pieces. Not sure what he climbs? Petzl Sama. However, for the sizes available, our review team loves the Pro Nut's greater-than-average curve that Nov 23, 2021 · Ease of Handling The best nut tool is the one that sits on your gear loop while you pretty much forget that it's there. We believe the world's best gear reviews are based on objective, independent testing of each and every product, with ratings, awards, and expert insights that help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. For cams that had worked their way in too far for your fingers to grab this feature is wonderful. Astro Nuts and Curve Nuts both feature a unique design with a vertical curve on two sides of their heads. The curve along the length of the tool helps with tapping pieces from above as well as giving the ability to hook cam triggers effectively. Your standard double rack is complete, and you now have enough gear to climb almost any classic that you have ever dreamed about! Step 4: Up to you and your tastes. The Trango Shark ads a few teeth (har har) to the traditional nut tool by including a foldable knife in the handle. To store all the shoes we've bought and tested over the years, we'd need a warehouse. See relevant content for outdoorgearlab. Apr 25, 2025 · Lastly, we have ACT Lab ship all of the helmets to GearLab HQ to be examined and photographed by our in-house team in order to identify any damage that the sensors can't catch. Says tester Ian Nicholson: “ I've tested nut tools by climbing thousands of pitches throughout the world on dozens of different types of rock. The Dec 1, 2009 · Omega was the first company to introduce a nut tool with a built-in carabiner, thus saving you the weight of an additional carabiner to clip the tool to your harness. After the impact test, damage is visible on both the interior and exterior of the helmet, but the data output is the most measurable information. We found it to be more comfortable than the Metolius Freenut. The hooked end of this tool is also a bit longer than the other tools, making it great for hooking cams, or in a pinch, shoveling food into Jan 6, 2020 · The Cypher Huevos are the latest iteration of classically curved nuts from Liberty Mountain's proprietary in-house brand, Cypher. Thankfully, we have one. Not all boots are made for walkin'! From hiking boots to top winter boots to trail running shoes on the market, most footwear is designed for a purpose. Biners for racking. The profile of the nose is average at removing most wires, although cleaning smaller Jan 6, 2020 · The DMM HB Brass Offset (also known as simply DMM Brass Offsets) is the most popular “ brassy ” or micro nut on the market, and with good reason. If you're using climbing nuts, you'll probably want to purchase a nut tool to help retrieve wedged nuts and stuck cams. Our dedicated team of testers has reviewed thousands of pairs of hiking shoes, running shoes, and the top trail running shoes throughout the years, in all manners of environments and conditions. In addition to their competitive price you get a Caranut nut tool when purchasing their standard set. From the latest innovations in the best all-mountain skis and boots to the best ski jackets for men and best ski jackets for women, our in-depth comparison reviews will help you get the most enjoyment from your time on the slopes. The rubberized handle feels nice, but our testers didn't find themselves actually holding the tool in its intended position and prefer a tool with a more rounded end for hammering on to bash out stuck nuts. xjuan yidypt jqduan azduyhm oocpvhff igmdwxd iertk gmopemx olrl lco