![[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
![The author said that the CiloGear 30:30 backpack is basically an improved version of the CiloGear 45-liter pack pictured here in Patagonia in 2012, loaded with enough gear to go alpine style on Mate, Porro y Todo lo Demas (6c [5.11b], 900m) on the North Pillar of Fitz Roy (3375m), which looms in the background. Huckaby writes, Troutman aka 'Coleman Blakeslee' and myself climbed up the North Pillar to the summit and descended down the Franco-Argentine route on the other side of Fitz. [Photo] Josh Huckaby](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cilogear3030-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Yosemite Search and Rescue member Josh Huckaby puts the CiloGear 30:30 backpack to the test and is stoked with the product. He plans to use… Read More »The CiloGear 30:30 backpack gets it done on alpine missions
![Mike Lewis begins the roof pitch on Vertigo (5.11b) in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Slava Lototskyy](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tenaya-ra-1-1-930x620.jpg)
Mike Lewis finds that the Tenaya Ra has everything he looks for in a climbing shoe, including a great out-of-the-box fit that doesn’t require a… Read More »Tenaya Ra: A true ‘all-around performance shoe’
![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
![The Nepal Cubes worked well as an all-day boot in the mountains, transitioning smoothly between rock and snow. [Photo] Andrew Councell](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sportiva-nepal-cube-boots-1.jpg)
Andrew Councell awards the La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX boots four out of five stars for their lightness, warmth and versatility on rock and snow.
![The Hi Q Luxe Pro Pull On's durable water-resistant coating and super durable fabric meant it was tough enough to climb both rock and ice in a variety of conditions. Here, Alexander Kenan takes it for a test spin on this ice curtain to the left of Spiral Staircase (WI4) in Vail, Colorado. [Photo] Travis Fried](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/montane-hi-q-luxe-pro-pull-on-review-2-1-930x620.jpg)
Corey Buhay finds the Montane Hi Q Lux Pro Pull On jacket to be a versatile piece of equipment for staying warm and dry in… Read More »Montane Hi Q Luxe Pro Pull On: Breathable enough to approach, warm enough to belay
![The Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate proved burly and reliable for clipping crucial pieces of gear, such as this high first screw on a particularly thin Coors Lite (WI2-3, 300') in Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Alexander Kenan](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2-lambda-1-871x620.jpg)
The Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate is an unusual auto-locking carabiner that can be clipped with one hand and provides extra security on critical protection… Read More »Grivel Lambda HMS Twin Gate: Comforting If You’re Not Wearing Gloves
![Mike Lewis nearing the summit of La Parva Peak (3630m), Chile. [Photo] Jack Klim](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dynafit-yotei-gtx-jacket-review-2-1-930x620.jpg)
Mike Lewis awards the Dynafit Yotei GTX Jacket five stars for its light weight, versatility and thoughtful design. There was but one tiny flaw…
Chris Van Leuven takes the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams on a cragging tour from New York to Colorado, and awards them four out of five… Read More »Metolius Ultralight Master Cams: Mostly Solid, Sometimes Wobbly
![Tim Farr using the DMM Apex tools on Jeff's Slide (WI3-) in Smugglers Notch, Vermont. [Photo] Andrea Charest](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dmm-apex-2-1-930x620.jpg)
The DMM Apex ice tools hold up to abuse and work well in a variety of terrain. Vermont climbing guide Tim Farr awards them four… Read More »DMM Apex Ice Tool Review: Heavy-duty and Ready to Rumble
![The DMM Pivot is an assisted-braking belay device that works well for top-belaying a climber directly from the anchor, as shown here. [Photo] Peter Braam](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dmm-pivot-1-1-930x620.jpg)
The DMM Pivot shines as a simple, all-around assisted-braking belay device.
![The Mammut Wall Rider Helmet. [Photo] Drew Thayer](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mammut-wall-rider-helmet-1-930x620.jpg)
“Smaller rocks inevitably rained down. Just as the barrage ceased, a small rock whacked me in the head…. On the hard shell of the helmet,… Read More »Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review
