Review: Edelrid Swift Protect 8.9

In what’s one of the coolest innovations in the world of climbing ropes for some time, Edelrid’s new Swift Protect has aramid fibers woven into the sheath. What is aramid you ask? Well, it’s a very strong synthetic fiber that’s in the same family as Kevlar. From a functional point of view, aramid fibers have good tensile strength, are lightweight, tough and heat resistant. That … Continue reading Review: Edelrid Swift Protect 8.9

Skiers’ Stocking Stuffers 2019

Black Sheep Adventure Sports’ second annual guide to stocking stuffers for ski touring, ski mountaineering and split-boarding and fanatics. If you’re looking for some ideas on what to get that backcountry skier or split-boarder in your life then you’re in the place. We’ve put together a short list of some cool gear that’s sure to get the job done! 1. Salomon S/Access Ski Socks: Socks … Continue reading Skiers’ Stocking Stuffers 2019

Climbers’ Gift Guide 2019

Welcome to Black Sheep Adventure Sports’ annual gift guide for climbers of all styles and creeds. This is the fifth annual Black Sheep Adventure Sports Gift Guide for Climbers! And as always, we’ve found a bunch of great gear that the climber in your life is sure love. This year we start off with some kit for ice climbers before moving on to more rock … Continue reading Climbers’ Gift Guide 2019

Climbers’ Stocking Stuffers 2019

Black Sheep Adventure Sports Annual Christmas Special – Stocking Stuffers Well, it’s that time of year again. The warm and sunny fall rock climbing trip is over and the cold winter ice climbing season is just beginning… if you’re into that kinda thing. I have a love-hate relationship with ice climbing personally, I love the climbing and hate the barfies. Anyway, if you have a … Continue reading Climbers’ Stocking Stuffers 2019

Review: Edelrid Giga Jul Belay Device

The Giga Jul from Edelrid is the newest addition to their growing line of Jul belay devices. While it’s the most traditional of the line it is also the most unique, as strange as that might sound. Traditional in the sense that it can operate the same as the ever popular ATC or Reverso. Unique in that it offers an assisted belay mode with the … Continue reading Review: Edelrid Giga Jul Belay Device

Review: Edelrid Spoc

The Petzl Micro Traxion finally has some competition in the form of the new Edelrid Spoc! Given the popularity of the incredibly useful device, I’m surprised it took so long for a competitor to one-up Petzl. A testament to how well the unit was designed really. And Edelrid didn’t just copy the Micro Traxion, they made a few improvements as the Spoc is lighter, more … Continue reading Review: Edelrid Spoc

Grivel Trend Harness

Summer OR 2019: Harnesses

There were actually enough new harnesses at the Summer OR show this year to justify a harness-specific write-up! And I’m sure that if I had a little more time to walk the show floor I might have found another harness or two to add from lesser-known brands. I’ve got all the big boys covered though. CAMP Impulse and Impulse CR Harness: The Impulse and Impulse … Continue reading Summer OR 2019: Harnesses

Outdoor Retialer

Summer OR 2019: Climbing Gear

In this second installment of our Summer Outdoor Retailer Show Reports we take a look at all the cool new climbing gear that’s on its way. From carabiners to cams, helmets to ropes, there was some pretty cool kit at the show this year! If you’re looking for harnesses though you’ll have to wait for the next post. There were quite a few this year … Continue reading Summer OR 2019: Climbing Gear

Summer OR 2019: Winter Climbing Gear

Surprisingly, in a very good way, there was a lot of winter-focused gear at this year’s Summer OR show. Enough to justify a winter specific article anyway! So, as an avid ice climber I just had to start this summer’s series of OR reports by covering winter climbing kit. Asolo Boots: Asolo has given a few of their alpine boots a serious upgrade and the … Continue reading Summer OR 2019: Winter Climbing Gear