![Beth Goralski takes shelter from sharp points while David Roetzel starts up Saphira in the Rigid Designator Amphitheatre Vail, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/grigri-plus-2-1-930x620.jpg)
The new GriGri+ is heavier and packed with new features, such as a switch for toprope/lead-belay modes and an anti-panic function. Chris Van Leuven learns… Read More »The Petzl GriGri+ is more durable and has more safety features
![John Easterling makes his way up to Teepee Col on the Grand Teton with the Patagonia Ascensionist backpack. [Photo] John Easterling collection](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/patagonia-ascensionist-pack-1-2-930x620.jpg)
John Easterling used the Patagonia Ascensionist 40-liter backpack for backcountry ski-mountaineering, desert climbing and a few things in between. He was initially skeptical of the… Read More »Patagonia Ascensionist 40L Pack: Light, comfortable and functional
![Chris Van Leuven leads FM (5.11c) in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, while wearing the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody. [Photo] Paul Gagner](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ortovox-merino-hoody-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven wears hoodies often and has tested his share of them. His latest review awards the Ortovox Merino Fleece Light Hoody four stars.… Read More »One Flashy Hoody: Ortovox Merino Fleece Light
![Derek Franz stays warm at a breezy belay with NW Alpine's Eyebright jacket atop Pitch 4 of Horse and Pony Show (III 5.11d) on the obscure Grizzly Creek Wall in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Craig Helm](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/nw-alpine-eyebright-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz tested the NW Alpine Eyebright ultralight shell jacket, one of the lightest and most durable in its class because of… Read More »NW Alpine Eyebright Jacket: Burly and ultralight
![Jess Roskelley climbs a mixed pitch on the first ascent of Raggedy Man (5.9 WI4+) in Montana's Cabinet Mountains, March 20. [Photo] Scott Coldiron](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xarcteryx-procline-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.fW6qrpy_uu.jpg)
An ice climbing boot that handles skis as well? Jess Roskelley tested the Arc’teryx Procline Carbon Lite boots and enjoyed their versatility for approaching and… Read More »Arc’teryx Procline: One boot for skiing and ice climbing
![The author enjoys the Julbo Explorer 2.0 sunglasses on a backcountry ski run in Colorado. Mt. Sopris (12,966'), left, Capitol Peak (14,131') and other summits in the famous Elk Range are visible in the background. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/julbo-explorer-2-main-1-930x620.jpg)
Julbo sunglasses continue to stand the test of time and perform as well as ever with modern technology. The Explorer 2.0, which is complete with… Read More »Julbo Explorer 2.0: A worthy new member to a long, proud lineage of sunglasses
![The author before a night at a large shelter outside Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. A roaring wood stove inside meant I could get a comfortable night's sleep with just a light synthetic jacket as my top layer. [Photo] Ryan Wichelns](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/patagonia-hybrid-sleeping-bag-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Patagonia introduces a modern version of an old idea for an unconventional alpine sleeping bag–the Hybrid, which is intended to be used with an insulated… Read More »The Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag: unconventional and efficient
![Mike Lewis guides the North Face of Longs Peak (14,259'), Rocky Mountain National Park, in mixed conditions. [Photo] Eric Stoutenburg](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/petzl-irvis-hybrid-crampons-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Part steel, part aluminum, and with Dyneema cord in place of a metal bar to connect the two halves, Mike Lewis finds that the Petzl… Read More »An Innovative Balance of Strength to Weight: Petzl Irvis Hybrid Crampons
![The Alpine Luddites White Light/White Heat backpack with crampons and ice tools strapped to the outside. [Photo] Paula Wright](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alpine-luddites-white-light-pack-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Associate Editor Paula Wright puts the Alpine Luddites White Light/White Heat backpack to the test, awarding it four stars. The company takes an a… Read More »Alpine Luddites White Light/White Heat backpack: custom-made to contentment
![Scott Yorko on belay duty in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/edelrid-topaz-1-1-930x620.jpg)
The 9.2mm Edelrid Topaz Pro Dry CT is a skinny rope that handles like a mid-weight. Chris Van Leuven has put thin cords to the… Read More »A slim workhorse: Edelrid Topaz Pro Dry CT 9.2mm rope
![[Photo] Drew Thayer](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/valandre-sleeping-bag-2-1.jpg)
Drew Thayer describes the Valandre Shocking Blue Neo Sleeping Bag as “the Cadillac” of cold-weather sleeping bags. But all the added features increase the weight… Read More »Valandre Shocking Blue Neo Sleeping Bag: High-performance and complicated
![Peter Holben leads Country Club Crack (5.11b/c) at Castle Rock in Boulder Canyon, Colorado, in one 150-foot pitch. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dragon-cams-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven compares the new DMM Dragon cams to other brands and finds he likes to mix and match for optimal weight and size-runs,… Read More »Updated DMM Dragon cams: Stable, easy to place and clean
