TOP 6 Essential Rock Climbing Gear You Must Own in 2024

Vertical Life is lucky enough to test out some of the best rock climbing gear in the wild. From shoes, to harnesses and mats- here are our top picks from the last few months that you should consider for your next purchase.

Rock climbing gear can be a personal choice, so make sure the gear you use is suited to your needs as a climber.

TOP 6 Essential Rock Climbing Gear You Must Own in 2024

1. La Sportiva No-Edge Family
2. Black Diamond Mondo Pad
3. C.A.M.P Velocity Harness
4. Edelrid Ohm II
5. So iLL Catch shoes
6. Mammut 9.5 We Care Crag Classic

La Sportiva No-Edge Family Rock Climbing Shoes

It’s probably no news that La Sportiva has updated their line of No-Edge shoes. You may have already noticed some of your favourite climbers showcasing the new ‘quintessential ballerina’ white colourway on their projects. Well, we’re excited to announce that the entire No-Edge family is coming to Australia: the Mantra, Futura, and Genius models (which already boast cult followings) along with the brand-new Mandala. All of the No-Edge lean towards the softer side of things, but to varying levels. The new Mandala is somewhere between the Futura and the Genius in terms of stiffness. La Sportiva says the Mandala shoe is dedicated to the modern climber, with every detail designed to optimise performance. New features also include an updated rand construction, more use of recycled materials, and of course the debossed white microfibre upper. 

Black Diamond Mondo Pad

The largest pad in Black Diamond’s range just got a makeover… well, actually, it’s more than just a makeover—it’s pretty much been overhauled. For reference, the old Mondo was 165x112cm when open and weighed 9.25kg, while the new Mondo measures 153x121cm when open—which, if you do the math, means more landing area—and weighs just 7.23kg!

The special ‘diet’ behind this weight cut is the Mondo’s new ripstop grid fabric shell, made from 100% recycled polyester. Less exciting (but equally important) updates include the foam, now featuring a ‘premium cross-linked’ closed-cell top sheet and open-cell bottom, improving durability. Finally, the updated backpack harness system and the new multi-pad carry system are the cherry on top, allowing you to carry more pads, more easily, and more comfiererly.

C.A.M.P Velocity Harness 

In the world of sport and alpine climbing ‘light is right’… but nobody wants to endure hour-long hanging belays in a harness made of dental floss. CAMP’s new Velocity harness strikes a gentle balance for your hips between these two worlds, thanks to their innovative Smart Webbing Technology construction. This technology essentially weaves fully rated strands of material with breathable strands, allowing for better load distribution, excellent breathability, and a weight of only 270g (Medium). For those who prefer adjustable leg loops, the Escape harness (305g) and Aurora Women’s harness (300g) are also available.

Edelrid Ohm II 

Since its release almost eight years ago, the Edelird Ohm has been a godsend for climbing partners/couples/randos you met at the crag with a significant weight difference. It is undoubtedly one of Edelrid’s most famous products, if you’ve never tried one then I highly recommend you do. With the Ohm II Edelrid has introduced a few updates to make life even easier for all you light belayers. First off, there’s now a swivel attaching the dogbone to the device instead of a mallion, meaning it doesn’t matter which direction you clip it to the first bolt (and the dogbone is easily replaceable). The previous ‘catch’ locking system has been replaced with an improved button design, and the geometry has been changed slightly to improve handling. 

Read more here

So iLL Catch Rock Climbing Shoes

Historically most climbing slippers have leaned towards the softer side for midsole and toe stiffness, such as the Five Ten Moccasyms (broken in ones at least) or the La Sportiva Cobras. They have also typically been ‘high-stretch’ shoes (especially the Moccs), requiring plastic bags and gritted teeth to help prevent the dreaded “bagging out” most climbers fear from a shoe with no closure system. The So iLL Catch sits in neither of these camps. Unsurprisingly, Fred Nicole (the man, the myth, the legend) knows what he’s doing, and has found an excellent balance between the sensitivity people expect from a slipper and enough stiffness to make them versatile for most styles of climbing on most types of rock.

Read more here.

Mammut 9.5 We Care Crag Classic

Welcome the return of the classic…the Crag Classic…the 9.5 We Care Crag Classic! On the inside, this is the same ol’ crag classic you know and love, but the sheath is made from an eclectic mix of the leftover (but still new) yarn from manufacturing other Mammut ropes in various colours. Not only is this a perfect way to reduce material waste during manufacturing (which we care about), but it also means each rope has a completely unique pattern and personality, helping you to avoid those awkward ‘twinning’ moments at the crag. Available in lengths from 40m to 80m, and in a dry-treated version.