REASONS TO BUY
Lightest nut tool
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not very durable
Metolius Feather Review
This ultra-lightweight tool is great for big missions where every ounce counts
Credit: Metolius
RELATED: Best Nut Tools for Climbing
Our Verdict
The aptly named Metolius Feather is the lightest tool in our review, and while it does compromise a little in the durability factor, we feel it's plenty tough for freeing the occasional stuck cam in the alpine or working out a nut or two your partner weighted after whimpering our favorite four-letter word for shame (take). We didn't try to break this tool, but it sure feels like we could if we tried hard enough. It got pretty bent out of shape after freeing a stuck tri-cam, so for most folks, we recommend something more durable
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Metolius Feather | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $20.00 List $19.95 at REI | $17.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $20.00 List $19.95 at Backcountry | $19.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $14.00 List $15.95 at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Any lighter and we'd have some serious reservations about this tool's durability | If it ain't broke, don't fix it; but you could probably fix a few loose bolts with this classic design | Simple and effective for saving your stuck nuts and cams | The only tool that comes with its own keeper cord | This tool will do the job, but we prefer models with a built-in carabiner |
| Rating Categories | Metolius Feather | Metolius Torque | Black Diamond Wiregate | Wild Country Pro Key | CAMP USA Nut Tool |
| Nut Cleaning (35%) | |||||
| Cam Cleaning (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Metolius Feather | Metolius Torque | Black Diamond Wiregate | Wild Country Pro Key | CAMP USA Nut Tool |
| Weight | 0.74 oz | 2.30 oz | 1.62 oz | 3.84 oz | 2.64 oz |
| Length | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm | 20.5 cm |
| Leash | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Clip-in Biner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Rounded End | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a great choice for fast and light missions in the alpine where every ounce counts and you're not likely to be aid climbing. For El Cap missions, go with the Feather's burlier brother, the Metolius Torque. For a similar design that's a touch more durable with a bigger clip-in point, take a look at the Black Diamond Wire Gate Nut Tool.
=Performance Comparison
This toll is so light you'll forget it's clipped to your harness.
Credit: Matt Bento
Nut Cleaning
The Feather features the same rounded surface as the Torque to give you a hefty smashing surface for your palm when you need to pound out a fixed nut. Only the Wild Country Pro Key has a larger smashing surface. Additionally, the Feather has one of the thinnest hooked ends of any of the tools we tested, allowing it to access micro nuts in super-thin seems.
Gentle tapping only with the feather, as bashing will quickly bend this fragile tool.
Credit: Matt Bento
Cam Cleaning
Constructed from aluminum, this tool gave us pause when prying at stuck cam lobes. You could potentially get enough leverage to break the tool if you're really going at it while you try to wiggle the lobes out of a placement in soft sandstone. The shape of the hooked end is great for snagging cam triggers, but it's not very pointy, so it won't fit inside smaller holes in the cam lobes. On the plus side, it's less likely to stab you if you take a weird fall.
The feather can hook and pull on a hard-to-reach cam trigger, but it's too flimsy to really pry at the lobes if they're stuck.
Credit: Matt Bento
Ease of Handling
Unclip it from your harness, clip it to the rope or a sling, and the Feather is ready to get to work on the newest (and possibly oldest) addition to your rack. However, it's worth noting that the clip-in point on the BD Wiregate Nut Tool is a bit larger and less finicky to take off your harness. Butterfingers? Check out the Wild Country Pro Key with its stretchy keeper leash.
This is the same length as the torque, the other tool from Metolius.
Credit: Matt Bento
Durability
This is the only tool we tested that is made from aluminum instead of stainless steel. The first time we used it, our tester bent it while smashing out a black tri-cam. Know the limits of your equipment and plan accordingly.
It didn't take very long for our Feather to get bent out of shape.
Credit: Matt Bento
Weight
At a scant 0.74 ounces, this is by far the lightest tool we tested, and honestly, it's still very functional.
The Feather is the lightest tool in the lineup, just be gentle with it.
Credit: Matt Bento
Value
Lightweight usually equates to a more expensive product and the Feather is one of the more expensive tools. Not too bad though if you consider that the next heaviest too (the BD Wiregate) is twice the weight of the Feather.
Conclusion
If you live by the mantra "light is right" then do yourself a favor and pick up the Metolius Feather for your next alpine romp.
—
Matt Bento
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