Wild Country Rocks Review

Likes

Wild Country Rocks on a Wire are similar in design to many other nuts on the market. What sets this climbing nut apart is a little more taper front to back (the most typical placement orientation) than Stoppers, Wedgies or Huevos, a useful quality in many situations. I also like Rocks on a Wire in larger sizes better than Stoppers, Huevos or Wedgies because Rocks have less tendency to slide up and down the cable while being placed or adjusted in the rock. I also like that Rocks were the lightest nut with a classic curve we tested and have the greatest number of sizes. They have the largest actual size range in this review, although most people won't find the largest (#4 to #5) sizes that useful.

Their large size range makes them a good choice as the bread and butter of a rack. Rocks are one of the taller nuts. Rocks, like some other nuts, have rounded edges that make for easier cleaning. They cleaned about the same as the Black Diamond Stopper and Omega Pacific Wedgies. Identification is made easier with their colored anodized heads, a scheme shared with all styles of DMM and Wild Country nuts.

All this, combined with the fact that they are a simple design, makes them a great choice for beginners. They fit parallel cracks well. They work in less constricting cracks about the same as the Black Diamond Stoppers and a baby step below the Metolius Curve Nuts. The Rock is among the most durable climbing nut on the market their wire rarely kinks and the rock itself never seems to get to banged up.

Dislikes

Rocks fit an average range of crack types but are not as versatile as DMM Offset Nut. While many people might find Rocks' larger sizes useful, most will let them sit at home more often than not. Rocks aren't made in as small sizes as other nut sets, but Wild Country does offer Mini Rocks, excellent small aluminum nuts.

Best Application

With the biggest size range of any nuts we tested, Wild Country Rocks are an awesome first set of nuts. Rocks also share the same color scheme as all other DMM and Wild Country models, allowing you easily to dial your passive protection selection. Their relativity simple shape makes it easy for beginners to assess the quality of their placements. As one of the lighter nuts on the market, they are a good option for alpine climbers or any climber looking to save a little weight. Their taller shaped design makes them more effective in softer rock, a great option for areas like Red Rocks where more surface area is desired. Rocks excel in smoother types of rock (the 'Dacks, Basalt areas, Yosemite, etc.) slightly more than in irregular rock locations.

Value