As an outdoor enthusiast and a climber, I’m constantly on the lookout for the latest and greatest climbing gear to help me push my limits and elevate my performance. Over the years, I’ve tried out several pieces of gear, and through trial and error, I’ve found the gear that works best for me. Lately, I’ve been receiving a lot of emails and comments from fellow climbers asking me about my personal choices for climbing gear. So, I decided to write this post and share my favourite pieces of climbing gear that I’m currently using in 2023. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, I hope that my personal recommendations will help you make informed decisions about the gear you choose to use on your next climb.

Petzl Hirundos Harness

The Petzl Hirundos harness is a popular choice among climbers due to its combination of comfort, versatility, and lightweight design. It is designed for climbers who want a high-quality and reliable harness that can adapt to different climbing styles, making it a versatile choice for climbers of all levels.

One of the standout features of the Petzl Hirundos harness is its comfort. The harness has a thin and breathable design that provides excellent ventilation, which makes it ideal for long climbing sessions. It also features a pressure-distributing construction that helps to evenly distribute the load across the hips, reducing discomfort and fatigue during climbs.

The Petzl Hirundos harness is also highly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of climbing activities. Whether you are climbing on rock, ice, or mixed terrain, the harness can easily adapt to your needs. It is also suitable for both sport and trad climbing, as well as for use in a gym or on a via ferrata.

Another great feature of the Petzl Hirundos harness is its lightweight design. Weighing only 330g in L size, it is one of the lightest harnesses in its class, making it ideal for long alpine routes and multi-pitch climbs. The new Hirundos harness also features five gear loops, which provide enough space to store all the necessary climbing equipment.

Read more about Petzl Hirundos Harness 2022 here:

• Petzl Hirundos Harness 2022

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La Sportiva Katana Laces 2022

For climbers that want to use this shoe for its intended purpose, the Katana is better than it was before. Crack climbers will note that the downturn of the shoe increases its performance in smaller cracks. In fact, in narrow cracks, the shoe is better than ever. The new Katana Laces digs its hooked beak into the thin vertical splitters of hard cracks.

By pressing into the tension derived from the P3 band and the aggressive hook of the forefoot, the climber can push all their weight through a very small space. This detail is attained by a stitching adjustment at the toe that further channels the shoe’s power through its tip.

The new Katana Laces uses Vibram XS Edge rubber, a harder rubber designed for standing on dime-sized foot chips. While many sport climbing shoes can use small feet, the the Katana can stand on these holds in a 45-degree overhang.

Read more about La Sportiva Katana here:

• La Sportiva Katana Laces 2022 Review

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Camp Mach Express Dyneema Quickdraw Review

The Camp Mach Express Dyneema 60 cm is designed to be ‘the ultimate trad draw’, featuring the low profile Nano 22 carabiner on the bolt-end combined and the Photon Wire on the rope-end. The Nano 22’s low-profile takes up less space on your harness and reduces weight, whilst the full-sized Photon Wire, the lightest full-sized carabiner on the market, makes for easier and faster clipping and unclipping of the rope, even when wearing gloves.

Read more about Camp Mach Express here:

• Camp Mach Express Quickdraws Review

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Mammut Wall Rider Helmet

The Mammut Wall Rider helmet combines a little bit of everything, with an open and well-vented EPP foam in the back and a plastic shell in the front. It keeps the traditional helmet look and feel up top, but sheds ounces off the more traditional hard-shell helmets.

Mammut developed the Wall Rider helmet to combine an expanded polypropylene, shock-absorbing structure with a rigid shell. To save weight, the hard shell covers only the top and front of the helmet, where impact from falling objects is most likely.

Read more about Mammut Wall Rider Helmet here:

• Mammut Wall Rider Helmet 

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Wild Country Rocks Nuts

Wild Country Rocks on a Wire are similar in design to many other nuts on the market. What sets this climbing nut apart is a little more taper front to back (the most typical placement orientation) than Stoppers, Wedgies or Huevos, a useful quality in many situations. I also like Rocks on a Wire in larger sizes better than Stoppers, Huevos or Wedgies because Rocks have less tendency to slide up and down the cable while being placed or adjusted in the rock.

Their large size range makes them a good choice as the bread and butter of a rack. Rocks are one of the taller nuts. Rocks, like some other nuts, have rounded edges that make for easier cleaning. They cleaned about the same as the Black Diamond Stopper and Omega Pacific Wedgies. Identification is made easier with their colored anodized heads, a scheme shared with all styles of DMM and Wild Country nuts.

All this, combined with the fact that they are a simple design, makes them a great choice for beginners. They fit parallel cracks well. They work in less constricting cracks about the same as the Black Diamond Stoppers and a baby step below the Metolius Curve Nuts. The Rock is among the most durable climbing nut on the market their wire rarely kinks and the rock itself never seems to get to banged up.

Read more about Wild Country Rock Nuts here:

• Wild Country Rock Nuts

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Petzl Connect Adjust 

The Petzl Connect Adjust is a versatile and reliable piece of climbing equipment. The adjustable lengths of the sling allows for easy and quick adjustments to be made while climbing, making it a great option for climbers who need to make adjustments on the fly. The sling is made from durable materials and is built to withstand the wear and tear of regular climbing use.

One of the key features of the Petzl Connect Adjust is its adjustability. The sling can be easily adjusted to the desired length, allowing for quick and efficient adjustments to be made while climbing. This feature is particularly useful for climbers who need to make adjustments to their anchor points or for those who are climbing in unfamiliar terrain.

The Petzl Connect Adjust is also made from durable materials, which are built to withstand the wear and tear of regular climbing use. The sling is made from a strong and durable webbing, which can withstand the forces of a fall without breaking or stretching. The adjustable length of the sling is also secured with a robust and reliable buckle, which helps to ensure that the sling stays securely in place.

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Quechua TECHFRESH 50 Men’s Hiking T-Shirt

The Quechua TechFresh 50 men’s T-shirt is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts who want a comfortable and functional shirt for their adventures. I recently purchased this shirt for a hiking trip and was impressed by its performance.

Firstly, the fabric of the shirt is made of a combination of polyester and spandex, which provides a comfortable stretchy feel and quick-drying properties. This is particularly useful during physical activities when you’re sweating, and the shirt wicks away moisture, keeping you dry and comfortable.

The shirt also has a unique technology called TechFresh that reduces odors by preventing bacteria growth. This is an excellent feature for outdoor activities where you’re likely to sweat a lot and don’t have access to a washing machine.

Read more about TechFresh 50 here:

• Quechua TechFresh 50

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Additional gear

• Petzl GriGri+
• Petzl Reverso
• Petzl Caritool Evo
• Mammut Crag Classic Rope 9.5
• Mammut Alpine Classic Rope 8.0
• Black Diamond Cams

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Climbing is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle, and having the right gear can make all the difference. As an amateur climber, I’ve had the opportunity to try out various gear throughout my climbing journey. This season, I’ve narrowed down my favourite climbing gear that has helped me push my limits and reach new heights.

Investing in quality climbing gear is essential for any climber. Climbing gear not only provides the necessary support and safety but also plays a significant role in the overall climbing experience. Climbers should choose gear that suits their needs and abilities, and invest in high-quality gear that will last for years to come. By taking the time to choose the right gear, climbers can improve their performance, push their limits, and enjoy the incredible experience of climbing.

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Would you like to see more gear reviews?

If you liked this review, don’t forget to check out other gear reviews on the Olympus Mountaineering Blog on the link bellow:

• Olympus Mountaineering Gear Reviews

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Disclosure: Product(s) discussed in this article were purchased by Olympus Mountaineering from a retailer. I do not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for media placement or product review coverage.