REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Easy to get gear on and off
REASONS TO AVOID
Can't use as full strength runner
Metolius Adjustable Gear Sling Review
Metolius Adjustable Gear Sling
Credit: metoliusclimbing.com
Price: $27 List
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief ⋅ Feb 7, 2010
Our Verdict
The Metolius Adjustable Gear Sling is currently my favorite gear sling. It is comfortable, the plastic-encased webbing is easy to clip biners to and the price is right.
If you want a slightly lighter and cheaper gear sling that doubles as a full-strength runner, get the Black Diamond Padded Gear Sling. But if you don't mind spending a little more money and want the most comfortable gear sling, get the Metolius.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
What stands out about this gear sling is comfort. The padding is wide and has just the right firmness it's not so soft that you can feel your shoulder poke through. It also has a subtle ergonomic curve so that it rests nicely on your shoulder. The adjustability works well; you can get the length just right. The plastic covering makes it easy to slide gear around and clip it on right the first time. It also just looks good. We like that it just has one sturdy plastic loop to clip stuff. We much prefer it over the multi loop version of of the gear sling calledthe Metolius Multi Loop Gear Sling. Even though multi loop gear slings appear at first to help you organize gear, we find they actually have many more down sides than updsides. You spend more time moving gear around so that each loop has an equal number of gear and you can't just toss all the gear to one side easily.
Dislikes
The only downside to this gear sling is that it can't be used as a full-strength runner like the Black Diamond Padded Gear Sling. I have used a gear sling as a runner before, but not often enough to make its absence a deal-breaker.
Best Application
This gear sling excels on trad climbs and multi-pitch climbs. It also works for my one-day big wall ascents of mostly free walls like The Nose or Regular Route on Half Dome. There is an optional Double D attachment whereby you can rack even more gear on the opposite side. This option doesn't work so well for me. The main advantage of a single gear sling is you can easily throw the gear behind you or easily switch it to the opposite side if you are in a chimney. The Double D does not let you do that.
Value
At $24 this is not the cheapest gear sling but it is not much more expensive than others out there. I have never seen one wear out, so over time it should be a great value.
Other Versions
Metolius Multi Loop Gear Sling
Metolius Multi-Loop Gear Sling
Credit: Metoliusclimbing.com
- Cost - $24
- Multiple loops to organize gear on the sling
- Same great padding as this sling
- Optional cross chest attachment to keep sling in place and hold more gear
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Chris McNamara