BETA Paradoxically, the Petite is a behemoth. Measuring 15 by 26 inches, it's the second-largest board, packing 15 holds, the most of any model....

Let us give thanks for auto-locking devices, for they have saved our butts. They allow us to loaf on portaledges, bolt sport climbs, hold our hang-dogging chums and zip down single lines....

The Vireo is built for climbers. Notably, this down bag has no zipper, is cut narrower and has more insulation about the legs than the chest. ...

Climbers put A LOT of energy into going up. Coming back down is an afterthought, a fact often reflected in our hodgepodge of raggedy-assed, jury-rigged rappel stations that can range from confusing messes of tat to plant hangers to hardware-store chain and links. For shame!...

This board has a Napoleon complex: It's pocket size, measuring just 8 by 22 inches, but is hardly a wallflower....

The Satellite is decidedly urban looking, with its mustard motif, single shoulder strap and new-age corner flaps....

The Ground Control has it all: big acreage, good foam, a carpet swatch, accessory pocket (albeit a tiny one), tote handle and PVC-reinforced corners....

This is a full-service board with three usable slopers, three ample and comfortable edges (though no micro ones), and scrolled-edge, shoulder-width jugs that almost make chin-ups a pleasure....

The GoPro is a near-perfect pocket-sized video camera that shoots surprisingly great 1080p high def, and takes nifty wide-angle photos at a respectable 5 megapixels. The camera itself runs on a rechargeable battery (just plug it into your computer) and lasts about a day....

With 30 years of pack making under its waist belt, Gregory Packs should know something about knapsacks. Indeed, if recent hype can be trusted, Gregory stands atop the heap. Backpacker, Consumers Digest and National Geographic Adventure all lauded Gregory last year with awards and glowing reviews....

I didn’t want to like this pack. Anything that’s more complicated to load than a laundry basket seems too complex to my pea-sized brain. ...

For three days in the North Cascades, the snow came down wet and heavy. Locals call it concrete snow....

This mondo board measures 18 by 33 inches. With 15 good holds, it ranks alongside the EP Petite as among the most useful designs....

The old adage about a rope, a rack and the shirt on your back no longer applies in this era of bumper belays....

My penchant for long day climbs makes me particularly interested in backpacks I can carry on route, especially since I've destroyed three of them in the last year....

The Cocoon is a Primaloft sleeping bag with a 30-inch, center zipper and a 30-degrees F rating....

THE JETBOIL STOVE is as light as a newt, a Scrooge with gas, and a nuclear blowtorch for boiling....

THE JULBO RUN, with its NXT lenses, are amazingly clear and literally bullet proof. Does that make them a perfect match for climbers?...

THE LAPIS BOAR’S HAIR BRUSH IS A LEGEND* as far as chalk-removing instruments go....

This is a broad—32-inch—slab with long, curved ergonomic holds (think frowny-face shaped) that allow you to use the edges and slopers with your hands practically kissing ... or spread clean out to shoulder width....