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Whether you’re hauling gear, self-belaying, or simul-climbing, the best climbing pulley will enhance your safety and provide you with assistance as you climb. But not every pulley setup is the same and you must take the time to find a design that suits your needs.Â
Climbing rope pulleys can come in a variety of styles with both lightweight and heavy-duty designs. It can be challenging to determine what you need, but this is why we’ve made a list of the ten best climbing pulleys and included a detailed guide. We’ve made shopping simple so that you can focus on getting out on your next climb with a reliable pulley setup.
OUR TOP PICK
Climbing Technology RollnLock Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Ultralight design is easy to carry
- Ideal for rescue situations
- Made of high-quality metal
- Easy to use and control
Product Dimensions: 1 x 0.5 x 3.2 inches
Weight: 2.88 ounces
Material: Metal
Rope Diameter: 8-14mm
Color: Orange
EDITORS CHOICE
GM CLIMBING Large Double Sheave Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Bigger size makes it ideal for heavy loads
- The quality manufacturer guarantees that the pulley won’t fail
- Smooth for better control
- Suitable for use with various types of ropes and their textures
Product Dimensions: 2.28 inches
Weight: 8.7 ounces
Material: Aluminum
Rope Diameter: 16mm (maximum)
Color: Black
BEST VALUE
GM CLIMBING Micro Prusik Minding Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Versatile and suitable for use with various carabiners
- Swing plates allow you to rapidly attach the pulley to your rope
- 20kN breaking strength for heavyweight tasks
- Bright color for easy identification
Product Dimensions: 3.189 x 2.224 inches
Weight: 3.7 ounces
Material: Aluminum alloy
Rope Diameter: 13mm (maximum)
Color: Red
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- A large hole can fit multiple carabiners
- Side swing to easily manage the system
- The strong aluminum construction reduces the risk of damage
- Rounded edges for safety
Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 2.6 x 3.4 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Material: Aluminum
Rope Diameter: 14mm (maximum)
Colors: Blue or Orange
GM CLIMBING Micro Slack Tender Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Built for general-purpose use
- Improve overall efficiency by reducing friction
- Long-lasting
- Compact and easy to stow
Product Dimensions: 3.209 x 1.742 x 1.15 inches
Weight: 3.05 ounces
Material: Anodized aluminum
Rope Diameter: 9.25-12mm
Color: Red
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Provides you with maximum mechanical advantage
- Ball-bearing reduces the amount of friction
- Quickly complete haul tasks
- Less overall wear and consistent performance
Weight: 2.7 ounces
Material: Aluminum
Rope Diameter: 12mm (maximum)
Colors: Black or Blue
PETZL Oscillante Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Extremely lightweight design
- Suitable for smaller loads
- More affordable and ideal for beginners
- Suitable for use with various rope diameters
Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.5 x 3.9 inches
Weight: 2 ounces
Materials: Aluminum, nylon
Rope Diameter: 7-11mm
Color: Silver/Orange
Fusion Climb Tesa Speed Aluminum Trolley Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- High working speed is more efficient
- Rounded edges and stainless steel ball bearings manage heat and friction
- The dual pulley system is more stable
- The open structure is easy to use
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 3.14 x 1.08 inches
Weight: 10.4 ounces
Materials: Aluminum, stainless steel
Rope Diameter: 12mm (maximum)
Color: Blue
Fusion Climb Secura Double Side Swing Climbing Pulley
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Use with multiple setups due to the independent side plates
- Smooth edges make it safer to use
- More versatile with two independent wheels for double hauling
- More control with the snag-free design
Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 4.1 x 6.4 inches
Weight: 15.7 ounces
Material: Aluminum
Rope Diameter: 5/8 inches
Color: Purple
- What Makes This Climbing Pulley Stand Out
- Double trolley for max versatility
- Extra strong
- Efficient performance with rope moving at 35 m/s
- Carabiner included with purchase
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 8.8 ounces
Material: Stainless steel, aluminum
Rope Diameter: 13mm (maximum)
Colors: Red or Blue
How To Choose A Climbing Pulley – Buying Guide
Use
The best climbing pulley can be used in various situations while you climb and will help enhance your performance on the wall. The most common uses of a pulley are for hauling gear, self-belaying, and rescues. You will need to determine how you wish to use your pulley so that you can find a design that suits your needs.Â
Not all pulleys are made for the same purpose and you must consider the features of each design before you make a purchase. Climbing pulley reviews can help you determine which top-rated rock climbing pulley would suit your needs, as many reviewers will comment regarding how they use their pulley.Â
Strength
A climbing pulley system needs to have high strength so that it can manage the heavyweight of gear or people. Each pulley should have a specific weight limit that is provided in the product specifications. Most climbing rope pulleys have a minimum of 15kN or 3,372 pounds. However, some have a high breaking strength of up to 42kN, which means that they can haul up to 9,441 pounds.Â
For lightweight loads, 15kN should suit you just fine. But if you are going on more big walls and will be doing a lot of hauling, you should look at investing in a stronger pulley. You should also take care to remember that the breaking strength is not the same as the maximum weight load.Â
Weight
While most climbers will want a lightweight pulley for rock climbing, you must get the pulley to suit your needs. An ultra-lightweight design may not have the strength or durability that you need to haul heavy loads of gear. A heavy pulley would have more durability, which means that it can manage larger loads. Most lightweight pulleys will be made with aluminum, while the strongest pulleys will feature more bombproof steel or other all-metal construction.Â
Durability
The best rock climbing pulley will always be extra durable so that there is never a risk of it breaking or malfunctioning on the mountain. Durability can be determined by the overall design and materials used in the pulley’s construction. The most durable pulleys will be made of all metal, whereas the less durable pulleys may have nylon components.Â
Construction
The construction of your pulley is another important consideration because it will determine in what situations you can safely use the equipment. You should always look for durable construction, but you should also be mindful of features like side plates.Â
A swing side plate makes it easier to attach the rope to your climbing pulley system, but it also means that the pulley is more intricate to use. Beginner climbers would do better with a simple construction instead of a pulley that has a lot of independently moving parts.Â
Rope Compatibility
A climbing rope pulley should have a range of rope diameters with which it is compatible. The rope compatibility should be provided in the product specifications and will determine whether you can use a skinny or thick rope with the mechanism. Thicker ropes are used for heavier loads and hauling, but not belaying on lead, so keep in mind that larger and more durable pulleys could be compatible with rope diameters of 11mm or more.Â
Locking Mechanism
The locking mechanism is what grabs the rope and stops it from moving when you are not actively using the pulley. Some pulleys have an auto-lock feature and others will have a manual lock or no lock at all. Auto locks are convenient because you do not have to consciously remember to lock the rope in position, but they are more expensive. For climbers who are on a budget, auto-locking may not be necessary.Â
FAQs
Q:Â What Is A Climbing Pulley?
A climbing pulley is a device that is used to help you haul gear, self-belay, or rescue climbers. The device can be easily carried with your climbing gear and makes certain tasks on the wall easier. The best rock climbing pulley will be able to easily manage your ropes while assisting you with lifting heavy loads to the top of a cliff or mountain.
Q:Â Why Do I Need A Climbing Pulley?
For safety and convenience. If you are going to self-belay, you need a way to securely run the ropes back to you so that they can be put on belay and off belay from various positions. Pulley climbing for self-rescue can be greatly benefited by using this device to help you bring someone up or down from the wall. However, pulleys also make it very convenient and almost effortless to haul gear while you climb.
Globo Surf Overview
With a top-rated rock climbing pulley, you can reduce the stress when you rock climb and ease the hassle of hauling gear. You can guarantee your safety as you belay or help out another climber by using a pulley setup. The best rock climbing pulley will be able to manage a heavy load and will be built extra durable for long-lasting reliability. Our review will pair you with top-quality pulley designs so that you can conquer the rock with confidence.Â
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Do you own one of the climbing pulleys that made it onto our list? Let us know which rock climbing pulley your favorite is in the comments section below. Â