Evaluate how well Climbing Equipment meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in climbing equipment and you've learned about the different features of climbing equipment. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of climbing equipment - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the climbing equipment available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed climbing options to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well Climbing Equipment meet your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available climbing equipment in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any climbing equipment that is unsuitable because it doesn't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any climbing equipment that clearly exceed your price limit.
Climbing rope consists of an inner core of elongated twisted strands of fibres which is protected by an outer sheath of woven fibres. The core provides the ropes tensile strength and is carefully designed for a pre-determined amount of elasticity.
In climbing, ropes will be identified as dynamic, static or webbing. Dynamic ropes have an amount of designed elasticity to facilitate climbing activities such as belaying. Static ropes have no elasticity and are generally used for attaching gear. Dynamic ropes will reduce the maximum force endured by a climber in the event of a fall.
Webbing is simply a flat rope. Materials used in modern webbing are high-strength. Whereas rope has a core and sheath, webbing possesses no core. Webbing is usually tied or sewn into a loop known as a runner or sling. Runners have many uses in the climbing world.
Tip:
The three climbing rope options of single rope, twin rope, and half or double rope, have distinct characteristics and you will need to know which you will be using in your climbing adventures.
After defining the specific type of climbing you will be doing, you can then determine the exact rope to fit your needs. The rope diameter (7.5 to 11 mm), length (50 meters is the standard) and strength that you require are all dependent upon the task you are undertaking. You may also consider whether to purchase a moisture resistant rope if you will be working in a wet environment.
Rope and other climbing equipment is rated by the International Union of Alpine Associations (UIAA). Any prospective rope purchase should be “CE” certified by the UIAA. This certification assures you of rigorous testing and manufacturing standards.
The next most important piece of equipment will be your climbing harness. The harness becomes an integral extension of the rope when they are wedded by knot or Carabiner.
Harness is designed for sport, alpine or big wall climbing. Each design will have specific tasks to accomplish and will accommodate climb-specific gear. The harness may be designed for sitting, for the upper chest (usually in combination with a sitting harness), or as a full-body harness. As with the rope, the design should be matched to the proposed usage.
Tip:
When trying-on a prospective harness, wear the clothing you will be wearing when you use the harness in the field.
The climbing shop in which you find a harness will have a climbing harness matrix which lists specific recommendations for sport, alpine and mountaineering harness along with characteristics designed for rock and ice climbing. Following these recommendations and selecting a harness which is comfortable for your body will yield a safe and enjoyable adventure on the mountain.
Most climbers will encounter ice or snow conditions in which they will need assistance in obtaining traction on the climbing surface. Depending upon your altitude and the environment you choose to tackle it is likely that cold weather will intrude upon your adventures.
Crampons are attachments for your boots which will give you unparalleled traction. They are either hinged or un-hinged depending upon your needs. Crampons are generally steel, but may be constructed of aluminium to tackle certain tasks. They fall into three main categories: walking, mountaineering and climbing.
Crampons are graded for compatibility with climbing boots. The crampon grade ranges from C1 through C3. A B0 boot is not compatible with any crampon. A B1 boot is compatible with a C1 crampon, a C2 crampon with a B2 boot, and a C3 crampon with a B3 boot. In general, the higher rated boot will be compatible with lower rated crampons such as a B3 boot with C1, C2 and C3 crampons. Charts will assist you in determining crampon compatibility with your specific boot.
Tip:
When shopping for crampons, take the climbing boots you will be using for the activity to try out the crampons.
Crampons are also identified by the number of “points” they have. This definition is important when deciding upon the task with which they are charged. Simple hiking across an ice field may require only 6 to 8 point crampons while ice climbing might require a 10 to 12 point design.
Another crampon feature well worth considering is an “anti-bot” plate. This shaped bit of flexible plastic prevents the build-up of ice in between the crampons. This can prevent a dangerous situation in which your crampons become useless.
The most important recommendations are to take your time in selecting climbing equipment; carefully choose tools which fit your specific climbing needs; and to make those choices without much regard to price, but rather with safety and craftsmanship in mind.
When you were considering your requirements in climbing equipment it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as the exact climbing equipment needed, manufacturer's reputation, comfort and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various climbing equipment meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Adventure Climbing Activities
- Rock climbing
- Bouldering
- Ice climbing
- Tree climbing
- Buildering (climbing commercial buildings)
- Rope climbing
- Pole climbing (gymnastic)
- Pole climbering (lumberjacking)
- Mountaineering
Rope Classes
Parts of Climbing Rope
- Cord/Kern - long twisted fibres, 80% of tensile strength of rope
- Sheath/Mantle - durable outer layer protecting the core and giving handling characteristics
Rope Purchasing Variables
- Diameter - typically 7.5 mm to 11 mm
- Length - standard length of rope is 50 meters
- Strength - the elasticity standard: static elongation equals amount rope will stretch when weighted with a standard load of 176 pounds or 80 kilograms
- Dry treated - treated to resist moisture absorption
- Non-dry - rope will absorb water; good for dry conditions
- Bi-color or half and half - color change at half way point making midpoint easily distinguishable
- Fall ratings - number of falls your rope is rated to safely withstand
- Maximum impact force - amount of force transmitted to climber during a fall (elasticity of rope)
Techniques
- Single rope
- Twin rope
- Half or double rope
Types of Climbing Harness
- Sport
- Alpine
- Big wall
- Rock
- Ice
Kinds of Harness
- Sitting
- Chest (normally combined with sitting harness)
- Full-body
Components of Climbing Harness
- Waist belt
- Belay loop
- Gear loops
- Padding
- Leg loops
- Adjustment buckles for leg loops
Harness Purchasing Decisions
- Decide which types of climbing you will be performing
- Wear your climbing apparel to try-on harnesses
- Find adjustable leg loops for more or less clothing
- Seek extra holsters and/or tool loops for differing types of climbing
- Harness which can be operated with gloved hands
- Lightweight harness with comfortable padding
Crampon Types
Crampon Categories
- Walking
- Mountaineering
- Climbing
Crampon to Boot Compatibility Grading
- Boot Grade 0 (B0) - not compatible with any crampon
- Crampon Grade 1 (CI) - Boot Grade 1 (BI), compatible with C1 only
- Crampon Grade 2 (C2) - Boot Grade 2 (B2), compatible with C2 or C1
- Crampon Grade 3 (C3) - Boot Grade 3 (B3), compatible with C1, C2 or C3
Crampon Purchasing Decisions
- Climbing types to be performed
- Identify crampons suited to your type of climbing
- Learn parts of crampons
- Consider boot-crampon compatibility
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your climbing equipment needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in your climbing equipment.
Once you have finished evaluating the climbing equipment available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the climbing equipment one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well Climbing Equipment compares with competing Climbing Equipment
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of climbing equipment that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of climbing equipment that stands out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which climbing equipment on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these climbing options best suits my needs?
Which of my short-listed climbing options has the best warranty?
Which climbing equipment is the easiest to use?
Which of the climbing equipment seems of the highest quality?
Which climbing equipment do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating climbing equipment that isn't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the climbing equipment, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the climbing equipment is put together. Check the assembly - is the climbing equipment solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the climbing equipment from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the climbing equipment prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the fittings easy to use? Make sure the climbing equipment fits you physically, and that it is user-friendly - some climbing equipment look great in store, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Fittings - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as incorrect use to that recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other extras are required - do you need climbing gloves, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of climbing equipment that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:ReviewsReviews of climbing equipmentReview of Black Diamond harnessArticles reviewing various climbing equipment