Trad rock climbing nuts. Trad climbing is adventurous.
Trad rock climbing nuts. In order to give you the best experience when out climbing, we've got cams in Been trad climbing with some buddies for a while now and ready to commit and buy my own rack. Nuts are passive protection devices, meaning that their holding power comes from their wedge shapes, cleverly placed in natural slots and constrictions (as opposed to cams, which actively expand under load to grip the rock). I also run DMM offsets, I feel okay about them. It's for this reason that they Apr 27, 2022 · This article originally appeared in Climbing in 2013. Traditional Routes follow Cracks and Slabs. Oct 2, 2025 · What's an R. They are made of a flexible wire which is threaded through a hard 'nut' of metal. What nut sets do you own? And your opinion of it. Friends Cams are reliable and essential for certain types of cracks where nuts won’t work. Aug 8, 2022 · But don’t underestimate the benefits of their counterpart: the nut. This article explains everything about using climbing nuts: placing, racking and removing them. This protection, also called pro, is placed in cracks and fissures as you climb, and then removed, or cleaned, when you’re done. Nuts are an essential for every trad climber. See full list on theadventurejunkies. However, I'm a broke high schooler, so I can't really afford cams, and I don't want to get too invested in it. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Lowe Camp TriCam Chock, Nuts Only, Trad Rock Climbing Gear, Lot of 4, VTG 1990's at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products! Check out our rock climbing nuts selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our fitness & exercise shops. Here are some things to consider: Trad Gear is Less Reliable than Sport Climbing Bolts It's generally safe to fall at any time on a bolted sport route, whether indoors or at the crag. So my question is, can you climb trad with only nuts and Time-tested passive pro, Stoppers are a direct link to the original chocks that started the clean climbing revolution. The product is a set of vintage Chouinard Hexcentric rock climbing nuts in sizes #10 to #4. The sling holds the carabiner in Sep 8, 2022 · Rock climbing nuts may not provide the same level of versatile, multi-directional protection as cams, but they are still essential gear for any trad climber. This article teaches you how to place stoppers and cams. Learn how to place, remove and rack climbing hexes. Trad climbing, also known as traditional climbing or clean climbing, is a method of climbing where climbers use their own belay gear in the form of mobile hangers to secure themselves on the natural features of a rock wall during an ascent. Learn how to place hexes; how to use them passively (like a nut) or actively so they cam into cracks. Apr 14, 2021 · So, looking at these estimates above, we are looking at $745 for a basic trad climbing rack with a set of nuts, a handful of the most used cams, a safe number of alpine draws and some equipment to build anchors and a nut tool. The key to using ball nuts is understanding the physics which cause them to lock into the crack: - Ball travel - Topology - Surface texture - Rock hardness. Build bomber anchors, boost confidence & climb safer. Jan 22, 2010 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Find your thing. Most of the force is transferred in the direction it is being pulled (in most cases, down and slightly outwards from the rock). There are three main types of protection you can use: Active Protection: refers to devices that rely on mechanical Jun 15, 2025 · Explore trad rock climbing basics, gear, and safety tips. Whether you’re looking for technical climbing gear or friendly, expert advice, we’ll have what you need. In short, trad climbing, more formally known as traditional climbing, is a form of rock climbing that requires placing your own gear for protection, rather than solely relying on pre-placed bolts. Oct 28, 2016 · From cams to nuts to hexes, learn the basics of trad gear with tips for buying your first rack. I think ballnuts are cool when you can place them, while nuts are my go-to What are the 3 Types of Protection in Trad Climbing? Trad climbing: short for traditional climbing, it’s a style of rock climbing where climbers place their own protection, such as cams, nuts, and other devices, into natural features of the rock to protect against falls. Used equipment is sold as is. #0025 Rock climbing is inherently dangerous. Jan 6, 2020 · The result is it isn't as durable as aluminum headed models but much like brass models, slightly deforms to the rock offering better bite, something particularly nice in the smaller sizes. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. So which of the current crop of nuts / wires / stoppers did we prefer? Quickdraws Trad quickdraws connect rock protection to the rope. Remember to check out our selection of passive protection at the EpicTV Shop. . A nut tool may also come in handy for releasing cams and nuts that get stuck in the rock. Nov 1, 2023 · Furthermore, trad climbing fosters resilience, teaching climbers to confront fear and uncertainty head-on, transforming obstacles into stepping stones towards personal growth and accomplishment. Slot the nut in a constriction so it can’t come out. Learn the skills to stay safe and have confidence when climbing. This article explains the physics of how climbing cams work, and also how to place, remove and rack them. Here’s what you need to know about trad gear and tips to build your first trad climbing rack. Apr 4, 2025 · If you plan on trad climbing, cams are essential. Sep 27, 2025 · Trad climbing is profoundly more than placing protection; it’s an engagement with rock, risk, and self, offering a unique path to adventure and personal growth. Feb 2, 2024 · These origins and the heavily continued use of passive protection in England today, produce some of the best climbing nuts for trad climbing available today. Are you a beginning climber trying to put together a trad climbing rack? Climbers are asking all the time what pieces of trad gear should I purchase first? Most new climbers are not looking to go out a Learn how to place climbing cams. At GearLab, our roots are in rock climbing, as the website started as an offshoot of SuperTopo. As early as the 1920s, British climbers had carried pebbles in the pockets of their knickers, slotting these stones into wide spots in cracks and tying them off—with scary-looking hemp cord—for pro. What are rock climbing friends? Like other climbing devices such as belays, carabiners and quickdraws, harnesses, a climbing friend or cam is also an essential safety piece used for secure holds when climbing. Oct 18, 2021 · Trad Climbing is the more traditional form of rock climbing where the protection from falling is placed into the wall by the climber. If you’re new to trad climbing, then you want to purchase the most common sized cams and nuts to build a “go anywhere” rack. Whatever you call them, these wedges of metal are a key element in every trad climber’s protection system. I'm a sport climber, but a couple of my climbing buddies will only do trad. These are unused. In essence, trad rock climbing embodies the essence of adventure and exploration, marrying the natural world with human ingenuity and determination. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee From cams to carabiners, nuts to nut tools, there are so many options for traditional climbing gear that it’s hard to know where to begin. ) and also from your head hitting the rock if you fall. So here's the situation. Nuts are the staple of any trad or aid rack as they provide solid protection when placed correctly. Explore a wide range of our Trad Gear Climbing selection. I want to get some gear so I have something to contribute, as well as open up my horizons to more routes other than sport. Sending a hard sport climb is satisfying, but trad climbing offers a feeling of accomplishment unmatched by clipping bolts. Sep 27, 2025 · Struggling with trad anchors? Learn Building Bombproof Trad Anchors: Principles of SERENE/ERNEST. If you need to add some new climbing protection to your rack, check out our comprehensive climbing nuts review and climbing cam review. ? - SuperTopo's climbing discussion forum is the world's most popular community discussion forum for people who actively climb outdoors. Climbing cams increase your safety, acting as anchor points in cracks and crevices where bolts are lacking. The trad rack you need will vary from one climb to another and most definitely from person to person as each has their own way and preference when it comes to climbing. We really hope you find it useful. Shop for Nuts at REI - Browse our extensive selection of trusted outdoor brands and high-quality recreation gear. Passive protection is more intuitive than active protection. Sport climbing is designed to push the athletic envelope of the sport. How do climbers protect a fall with our little wired pieces of metal? In this episode I cover the complete basics of nut placement and the thought process behind it. I climb mostly in Utah in rock canyon and Ibex with the occasional moab trip. We’ve encountered chockstones while climbing and placing a nut is the same idea. The challenge and skills involved in installing protection, finding the optimum line and juggling this with the actual act of climbing makes trad climbing so enthralling. I'm still pretty new at trad climbing and I was a hex sceptic until the other day - I went climbing somewhere different to my usual haunt - a rather exposed cliff where the erosion had scooped out the most marvellous hex placements - absolutely bomber! May 30, 2025 · Bought these as I was getting into trad climbing, but due to an injury i have been unable to climb for a handful of years now. Jan 19, 2018 · Uncover the importance of the Jesus Nut in climbing. As a climber ascends they place pieces of gear – like cams or nuts – into faults in the rock, then clip their rope into carabiners that are also clipped to the gear. Made by Black Diamond, these nuts are shaped like a hex and are crafted from aluminum. Martin is a writer, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, general manager at the American Alpine Institute, and the technical director for the Red Rock Rendezvous. Jan 6, 2020 · The Alloy Offset from DMM is our review team's favorite overall nut for all-around trad climbing because of their versatility and how perfect they are where most other pieces of passive protection or cams are adequate at best. Getting into leading trad routes? Learn how to choose types of passive protection, such as chocks, nuts and hexes. Helmet A climbing helmet is the first thing you should buy when you start trad climbing. Sep 12, 2024 · A set of 10 to 12 nuts will be sufficient for your first experiences. If the leader falls, their partner stops the rope from feeding to halt the leader’s plunge. They protect your head from things falling on you (rocks, equipment, etc. Master the 5 Pillars of bomber placements and get our printable pocket card for the crag. In the beginning of your trad climbing career you should focus on building a solid nut rack and learning to place them well. Trad uses removable protection like cams, nuts, and Nov 8, 2024 · Trad climbing requires a large and somewhat complex set of gear that’s used instead of bolts to anchor you or your rope to the rock, and to arrest a fall. Use at your own risk. Sport climbs ascend Roofs and Vertical walls. Our climbing protection is the trusted industry standard and we're always improving performance. We tested all of the products in our review in a variety of rock types in places like Squamish, Eldorado Canyon, Yosemite Valley, the North Cascades, Smith Rocks, Red Rock, Joshua Tree, Zion, and more. From the best trad climbing shoes to your first rack to how to train for crack climbing, we have the beta you need to start. Learn how to place trad gear, build trad anchors, climb a multi pitch, belay in guide mode and much more. Jan 31, 2023 · Trad climbing, short for traditional climbing, is a style of free climbing that does not rely on fixed gear, like bolts on a sport climbing route, to protect a rock climb. A climbing rope. Our expert team has a combined 40 years of climbing experience and has field-tested the best climbing gear since the inception of our site Sep 12, 2019 · So you want to trad climb. This guide offers insights into gear, anchor building, and safety techniques. This is a pretty gear-intensive endeavor, and some of what you carry comes down to personal choice Nov 14, 2019 · Trad and Sport are forms of both Free Climbing and Lead Climbing Trad Climbing is an older style of climbing, focusing on adventure. It's obviously true that a piece of gear is only as good as the rock you place it in, but for those of us who have been climbing trad for decades, we know there is often a subtle difference between seemingly similar bits of kit. And I really love them nuts. I'm running old Tango "made by Hudy Sports" nuts, and I recently realized that they are actually offset in one plane and parallel in another plane. Jul 10, 2024 · Trad climbing differs from the popular pursuit of sport climbing, where the protection is already installed, or bolted, into the rock. A beginners guide to the placement of Nuts, Rocks and Wires for protecting trad rock climbing. Having your In today's gear show we catch up with @WildCountryClimbing athlete James Pearson to find out exactly what are his go-to pieces of equipment on his trad rack . Nov 18, 2016 · The trickiest—and most important—parts of multi-pitch trad climbing are placing solid gear and building safe anchors fast. Black Diamond Stoppers are an essential for every trad rack, designed with a transverse taper that permits sideways placements in flares and shallow seams. The belaying partner stands below and feeds rope to the leader as they ascend. The advanced program consists of two days of intensive training. ly/3clZ1pcAt last! I’ve been waiting to do May 26, 2025 · Learn Mastering Gear Placements: Cams, Nuts, and Slings in Trad Climbing. Each of these are described below. Compared to cams, they’re lighter and considerably cheaper, so it makes a lot of sense to have a good set of nuts clipped to your climbing harness, especially for longer routes. May 31, 2020 · Want to buy me a coffee or the boy a dog treat?! http://bit. ly/3vhJwabOr buy a Sling Mountain T Shirt?! http://bit. But unlike cams, which expand into gaps in the rock and Nuts are an essential for every trad climber. Learn more about climbing helmets. Knowing what gear to rack and how to rack it can create a more efficient experience when starting out. True Get the best deals on Nuts/Rocks Climbing & Caving Carabiners & Hardware when you shop the largest online selection at eBay. Building your first trad rack made simple and easy. Effectively a metal wedge on a wire sling, these pieces of protection are the bread and butter of keeping climbers safe when they are trad climbing. Nuts Climbing nuts, also known as wires, rocks or stoppers are thin wedges of metal that are slotted into constrictions in cracks to provide protection when climbing traditionally outdoors. At GearLab, we've tested a wide variety of climbing gear over the past decade+ and have recommendations for every climber, from beginner to expert. 3 or smaller) in reliable rock 1–2 points: Small nuts (Stopper 1–3); score contingent on nut size and rock quality Jason D. If you enjoyed this Hit that What is trad climbing? What is trad gear? How do you learn trad climbing? Find out the basics about becoming a trad climber from an AMGA-certified Rock Guide. This is caused by movements in the rope as you climb This video covers all the types of trad protection gear I know of, and rates them all based on personal experience. As opposed to sport climbing, there are no pre-drilled holes or fixed anchor points in trad climbing. Mar 22, 2021 · Yes, all the language of trad climbing is vaguely sexual, so if you haven’t cracked any jokes yet — er, go nuts. Since trad is often learned by climbing second, you won’t need an extensive rack initially, but make sure you have a Nut Key clipped to your harness with a loop sling for removing gear. com Oct 8, 2025 · Most climbers begin with nuts as their first introduction to trad climbing. Find top brands, exclusive offers, and unbeatable prices on eBay. Very overwhelmed on where to start. Trad Rock Climbing Nuts Funny Quote - 'I Failed No Nut November' wallnut nut sports climbing funny climbing t-shirt sticker phone case sticker bouldering no nut november • Millions of unique designs by independent artists. When the Escape Climbing 2-Hole Commercial T-Nuts | 3/8-16 t-Nuts for Rock Climbing Walls | Indoor or Outdoor Use (1000 Ct Bag) Add to cart Learn to trad climb. Jan 24, 2023 · Trad climbing involves a wide array of gear, including nuts, hexes, cams, Big Bros, and more, to ensure climbers stay safe. But really, once you’re ready to start buying gear, your first investment ought to be a set of nuts. Where to go trad climbing Unlike sport climbing, speed climbing and bouldering, which have all enjoyed a recent spike in popularity due to the rise of indoor climbing walls, trad climbing can only be undertaken outdoors on real rock. Sep 24, 2025 · Learn to place trad nuts like a pro with this AMGA-based guide. They are cheap, light and durable. Oct 31, 2024 · This review focuses on climbing nuts used for protecting traditional free climbing routes as well as for aid and big wall routes. Also see some examples of gear-racking options. Nuts or wires, rocks or stoppers. They are cheap, strong, durable and relatively easy to use. Climbing nuts exert very little outwards force on the rock, unlike cams. May 17, 2024 · What you really need to know, and buy, to start trad climbing. They can be placed passively (like a nut) or actively (like a cam), depending on the orientation and features in the rock. Aug 21, 2020 · Here is the long awaited update to one of my older blogs on buying and building a trad rack. Time-tested passive pro, Stoppers are a direct link to the original chocks that started the clean climbing revolution. May 19, 2023 · Check out our picks in our best climbing harness review. Sep 6, 2013 · The Tricam is a puzzling piece: It’s delightfully simple, with no active—or moving—parts, yet it has more potential uses than either a spring-loaded camming device (SLCD) or a standard nut. Shop trad climbing gear from Black Diamond. That being said, if you’re getting your first rack together Jul 28, 2022 · The Gear You Need for Trad Climbing That’s a lot of gear! Traditional or “Trad” climbing involves placing your own protection as you climb. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. The sling comes in different sizes to help with rope management and awkward rock protection placements. Trad climbing is adventurous. Click to advance! Apr 5, 2023 · Trad climbing is an important skill for rock climbers to have if they’re going to explore routes that aren’t fully protected with fixed gear. An introductory look at how to place passive protection during a traditional rock climb. Trad climbing involves placing removable protection gear in cracks and features, requiring technical skill and risk management. Apr 20, 2023 · Trad climbing, short for “traditional climbing,” is a style of climbing that involves placing removable protection such as nuts, cams, and hexes into cracks and other features in the rock to protect against falls. Anodized by size, they're quickly identifiabl Jan 6, 2020 · Comparing these options, we'd say the Peenuts are a better all-around trad climbing nut, while the DMM HB Brass Offset is best for aid climbing and the tiniest, trickiest to protect traditionally protected routes. Cams use a spring system that presses the jaws into the sides of the rock crack to hold their position firm. The top carabiner is loosely connected to the adjoining sling to allow for movement without dislodging the nut. Sep 27, 2025 · Conclusion: Your Rack, Your Adventure Building your first trad rack is a foundational and exciting step into a deeply rewarding climbing discipline. P. The bottom carabiner is coloured to help differentiate it to the top carabiner. Nuts, Rocks and Wires are generic names for a type of leader place protection for rock climbing. While the original unit had two placements (one passive, one active), the Feb 14, 2024 · This gear will be your anchor building material, belay device, rappelling gear, nut tool, and any extra equipment you may want on a trad climb. Learn how to stay safe while rock climbing by signing up for our trad rock lead course. In Choosing Climbing Nuts, Paul offers some advice on what type to choose and how to rack them. com. This will teach you far more about trad climbing strategy, placing gear and the intricacies of placements on different rock types and routes, than Learning how to place trad gear is an essential skill as you progress as a climber. Understanding Traditional In rock climbing, a nut (or chock or chockstone or wire for the smallest versions) is a metal wedge threaded on a wire that climbers use for protection by wedging it into a crack in the rock. Our trad climbing equipment is relentlessly tested and built by climbers for climbers. Anchor Building Materials: Learn about the gear you need to build out your first trad rack. With no bolts to clip, the journey up a trad route is a three-dimensional, mentally exhausting labyrinth of challenges. Webbing, cable, and lobes are in excellent condition. May 29, 2020 · New to trad climbing? Our Beginner's Guide to Trad Climbing breaks down everything you need to know to get started trad climbing today. However, if the same attitude is applied to trad climbing, you'll soon get injured. Traditional climbing (or trad climbing) is a type of free climbing in the sport of rock climbing where the lead climber places temporary and removable protection while simultaneously ascending the route; when the lead climber has completed the route, the second climber (also called the belayer) then removes this protection as they ascend the Apr 3, 2018 · 3 points: A micro-cam (. Rad. Anyone who wants to do traditional rock climbing needs a few things: A climbing harness A climbing helmet, to protect against loose rock falling from above. Before the nut there was… Climbing nutcraft evolved in Great Britain about a half century ago, but its roots go back even further. Nuts can wiggle out, slings can lift off and cams can walk out of position. Trad Protection The leader places trad gear (protection) in cracks and fissures as they May 21, 2020 · Trad Climbing Essential Gear: A climbing harness filled up with trad climbing gear, including nuts, cams, locking carabiners and slings. Sizes 1-5, and 11-14. May 26, 2024 · TL;DR Colorado has a rich climbing history and culture, with hundreds of named climbing areas and diverse rock types. It requires thoughtful prioritization of essential trad gear, starting with a core selection of nuts, a few versatile cams, and an adequate supply of slings and carabiners. So I'm seeking potential burner nuts or replacement for the Trango May 1, 2022 · Short for traditional climbing, trad climbing is a form of free climbing where the lead climber places temporary protection equipment into cracks and other features of the rock while ascending the climbing route. Shop rock climbing protection from Black Diamond. Like many things in the climbing community, preference for passive protection is based on what usually amounts to personal opinion. Probably the most confusing part of trad climbing is how such seemingly simple pro can be put in the rock quickly and easily removed, while also being strong enough to hold a big fall. Safety considerations, environmental stewardship, and adherence to local regulations are essential for climbing in Colorado. Start with the basics of cams, nuts, and carabiners and build out your rack over time as needed. The core elements of self-reliance, problem-solving, mental fortitude, and ethical commitment define the trad experience and contribute to its lasting allure. From cams to carabiners, nuts to nut tools, there are so many options for traditional climbing gear that it’s hard to know where to begin. Any suggestions on what a good “starter pack” would look like as far different cam/nut sizes? and then I can experiment and add to it based on need from there. Your expert, step-by-step guide to ultimate safety. Our mission is to feed the stoke for climbing by offering the most comprehensive range of equipment to climbers in Australia. Instead of clipping bolts, you are looking for natural features, cracks, or constrictions to place traditional climbing equipment like nuts and cams. Just like with any extreme sport, educating yourself about the sport of trad climbing is a great way to start. Nuts Buying Guide Double Cap Read Time - 9 minutes May 2020 Standard nuts are the backbone of any traditional climbers rack. Shop now for fast shipping and easy returns! Get tips on what cams, nuts and other gear to take rock climbing and how to organize it all. This does mean they aren't a great nut for everyday trad climbing as their thinner cables are more prone to kinking, and the heads will get beat up quicker. Aug 24, 2025 · Full set 1-7 of vintage Black Diamond Hexcentric protection with the Chouinard "C" in the Diamond. Understand the definition, history, and essential techniques for this thrilling adventure. 0sccub yg hr9 q34hsa4 z6g 9p8v xd5o 7ez8yw 49lthys iej