Reviews You Can Rely On

Yates Speed Wall Ladder Review

One of the best ladders we have used
gearlab tested logo
yates speed wall ladder aider review
Yates Speed Wall Ladder
Credit: Yatesgear.com
Price:  $85 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Yates
By Chris McNamara ⋅ Founder and Editor-in-Chief  ⋅  Nov 24, 2009
87
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 9
  • Comfort - 35% 9.0
  • Ease of Walking up - 35% 9.0
  • Ease of free Climbing - 10% 6.0
  • Top stepping - 10% 9.0
  • Durability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Yates Speed Wall Ladder is a lighter and thinner version of our Editors' Choice winner, the Yates Big Wall Ladder. The steps are 1" wide compared to the Big Wall Ladder's 1.75" steps. That means this aider is not as comfortable to stand in for hours but is lighter when clipped to the side of your harness. While the Big Wall Ladder comes in a 6-step and a 7-step length, the Speed Wall Ladder only comes in a 6-step length (67"). This is the aider Ammon McNeely uses to set El Cap speed records.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Intuitive to use
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Bulky
Overall we prefer the Yates Big Wall Ladder to the Speed Wall Ladder because it is more comfortable and is only a little heavier. But it's personal preference. McNeely prefers the Speed Wall because he likes a lighter aider. Chris Mac prefers to take a heavy, comfortable aider for the aid-intensive walls and a light aider for free-intensive walls. But if you only want one versatile aider, it is hard to go wrong with the Speed Wall Ladder. It's comfy, durable, and not too clunky when free climbing. Another ladder to consider is the Metolius 8-Step Ladder Aider, which is even lighter but lacks a spreader bar. Get the scoop on how it stands up to the competition in our review of the best aiders.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award   
Price $85 List$77 List
$77.00 at Amazon
$50 List
$49.95 at Amazon
$30 List
$34.95 at Amazon
$35 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
87
93
79
77
73
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A Yosemite favorite for both moderate and hard aidHard to beat this aiders for Yosemite and beyondOne of the best aiders we have used at a great price
Rating Categories Yates Speed Wall La... Yates Big Wall Ladder Metolius 5 Step Aider Metolius Alpine Aider Fish Smart Aider
Comfort (35%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Ease of Walking up (35%)
9.0
10.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
Ease of free Climbing (10%)
6.0
5.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
Top stepping (10%)
9.0
9.0
10.0
9.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
9.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
10.0
Specs Yates Speed Wall La... Yates Big Wall Ladder Metolius 5 Step Aider Metolius Alpine Aider Fish Smart Aider
Style Ladder Ladder Etrier Etrier Etrier
Weight 13.6 oz 15.6 oz 11.2 oz 6.8 oz 9.0 oz
Step Width 1" 1.75" 1" 0.8" 1"
Length 67" 67" 75" 60" 72"
Warranty 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year unknown

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


The Speed Wall has the same great spreader bar as the Yates Big Wall Ladder. This sturdy plastic pipe keeps all the steps more open and eases the pressure on the sides of your foot.

The steps are relatively close together which allows you to rest on two feet (one foot in a lower rung). This is a good position to search for gear and organize. Then, when it's time to place the next piece, you move onto just the top foot for maximum reach.

Dislikes


These aiders are heavy and bulky. They also get caught in cracks. They are not ideal for a free intensive wall like The Nose. Yes, they are lighter than the Big Wall Ladder, but not by that much.

Best Application


These are ideal for more aid-intensive walls like Zodiac if you don't want the bulk of the Yates Big Wall Ladder.

Value


This aider is a pretty good deal only a little more expensive than the Metolius Aider and Aid Ladder.

Chris McNamara