Mammut Smart Alpine
According to Mammut, the Smart Alpine is the first “braking-force support” device that can be used with single, twin and half ropes.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 25% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
25% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $3.75/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Mammut Smart Alpine| $45 mammut.ch.com ★★★
According to Mammut, the Smart Alpine is the first “braking-force support” device that can be used with single, twin and half ropes. Braking-force support is another way of saying: not quite self-locking, but almost. In fact, you can load the device for three different modes of braking: the braking-force support mode for belaying and rappelling, a self-locking mode for belaying seconds from above, and a mode with less braking action for times when you need less friction.
After a short time sussing the nuances, I found that rope work felt intuitive and I appreciated the holding power of the braking force support mode—comparable to devices like the Grigri. I had no trouble dealing slack, rigging raps or belaying seconds with the device in its auto-locking mode. On the downside, if you decide to use the auto-locking mode, you might have to tie a cord through a hole in the Smart Alpine handle in order to gain leverage to unlock the device. This means you’ll have to carry a cord up to 7mm or forgo the self-locking option.
SEE ALL BELAY/RAPPEL DEVICE REVIEWS
- Secure device for belaying leaders with a self-locking option for belaying seconds.
- Two rappelling modes give you a choice between lots of breaking power (for example, when single line rappelling down a really steep wall) or less (like when double-rope rapping down slabs).
- Two sizes: 7.5 – 9.5mm for half and twin ropes, and 8.9 – 10.5mm for single ropes.
- 4.7 ounces