What is grigri in climbing. , Klemheist hitch or auto-block).
What is grigri in climbing Jan 3, 2024 · Both devices have their place in climbing, and the choice often depends on the specific needs of the climb, the preference and experience level of the climber and belayer, and the climbing environment. Climbers must demonstrate proficiency in climbing a 5. I have found the GriGri 2 works best with 10 to 10. Sep 21, 2023 · The GriGri uses an internal mechanism to pinch the climbing rope anytime the rope is pulled quickly through the device. The PETZL NEOX is a total redesign of the internal workings of a GRIGRI to produce a great assisted belay device that is perfect for paying out rope. the addition of a GRIGRI on a ‘Bell Ringing’ session where top rope belaying is done by 2 people, one pulling down slack towards the GRIGRI and one pulling slack from the other side of the GRIGRI. A climber who understands to climb with a GriGri may have a hard time climbing with an ATC- which is the most standard belay device as of its price range. Here are some tips and the best method for giving a good toprope belay, whether you’re using a tube device like an ATC or a brake-assisted belay device like the grigri. Also worth mentioning there is the grigri plus that has selectable options for top rope or lead climbing which increases the amount of friction needed to lock it out. Any type of belay device can be used for sport climbing, though using an assisted-braking belay device (such as the Petzl GriGri) is the most common. A GriGri can generally handle a top belay just as efficiently as an ATC-Guide, and simul-rapping is an option Sep 14, 2020 · Every device we recommend works well for both lead climbing and top roping. How does it work? How is the rope inserted? How do brake hand and guide hand work together for taking up or p Jul 22, 2015 · The GRIGRI belay device: a concept that forever changed climbing. Belay Device Types Designed for lead and top rope climbing, GRIGRI is the gold standard for belay devices. It’s assisted braking is a nice upgrade, and it also gives a little added comfort to a nervous climber. A climber who learns to climb with a GRIGRI may have a hard time climbing with an ATC- which is the most common belay device because of its price point. For most users, a GriGri 2 will last a few years with no problems. The GriGri is heavier than other rappelling devices. 8mm-11mm), while also controlling the rate at which a climber was lowered. 9 with no falls, clipping errors, clear and audible lead communication, awareness of lead climbing concerns and the ability to correct them immediately which include back clipping, Z-clipping and back stepping. Good point! One possible concern with a Grigri and trad climbing is that the Grigri can put more force on the top piece of protection when catching a fall. Feb 7, 2019 · With just a Petzl Grigri and an ascender, you can quickly and safely ascend and descend a fixed rope. You may well have one with you when rock climbing, but not for a crevasse rescue situation. 9 of the tester’s choosing. The GriGri functions like a car seat belt. ), the second person loses his counterbalance, and the consequences will be devastating. Aug 6, 2021 · Both these devices can be used for multipitch climbing. Although Kochendörfer prefers an ATC or an alternative device to the GriGri, he admits that there are some situations in which the GriGri excels: “The only occasion where we use GriGri-like devices is for tree rescue and lift rescue. The technique described here is the only one that Petzl recommends. Jun 20, 2018 · For long belays, the GriGri 2 is a blessing (as are belay glasses) Value. If not for the price, I’d probably get 2 or 3. The Grigri Is Not a Hands-Free Device Any complaints about GriGri's being hard to use or uncomfortable are down to lack of knowledge and the pretty small amount of skill it takes to use them properly. You can pull rope through slowly without it catching, but if the rope moves through quickly (e. Oct 21, 2022 · This video is designed for the beginner or aspiring tree climber. com Designed for lead and top rope climbing, GRIGRI is the gold standard for belay devices. With its assisted-braking system, providing more confidence and comfort to both belayer and climber, the device quickly revealed itself to be ideal for leading, for working crux moves, for lowering, and for top roping. Of course, you'll also need a tube-style device that can fit two strands while rappelling. The main feature of a grigri is a clutch mechanism that helps you with braking by pinching the rope when it is moving too fast, such as Jul 29, 2024 · And, for new belayers struggling with the Grigri’s strict auto-locking mechanics, the Neox is a much friendlier option. Dec 2, 2013 · The Grigri is not hands-free; it’s assisted-braking. au or at a Climbing Anchors retail store. For example, in the case of a lead fall, the rope pulls upward on the GriGri Apr 27, 2021 · Belay devices are one of the central tools of climbing, so we took our six favorites to the cliffs for a showdown. I don't like using a Grigri for follower belay because the rope backfeeds easily, especially on steep pitches. A Grigri’s cam might not engage fully in at least four situations: 1) with super-skinny ropes; 2) an extremely light climber; 3) routes with bulges or significant rope drag that reduce the forces of a fall; and 4) hanging on the rope (versus falling) mid-route. May 20, 2020 · Many find that having a GriGri in the upright positions is very handy for route setting, cleaning and establishing new routes, simul-climbing, and rope-soloing. Many climbers are familiar with GriGri, which gives them the confidence to use GriGri during the climb. Universal Belay Advice: Pay Attention Lead climbing tests will be done on a 5. As a gear nerd it was fun to try but it’s not the device to buy. Made by Petzl, its name refers to a word of African origin used in the French language to designate a talisman for good luck. And that any climber would prefer a competent belayer rather than a fancy belay device. Nov 7, 2022 · The grigri system is one of the safest rappelling systems out there, and it is easy to use. The current model, the GriGri 2, is designed for ropes from 9mm to 11mm. , Petzl Grigri or Trango Cinch) or a friction-hitch rappel backup, aka “third hand” (e. The GriGri 2 isn’t cheap, but it’s still a decent value. Dec 5, 2024 · The GriGri is the most versatile of all the active assisted-braking devices, and it's also on the cheaper side for this product class. Indeed, the new GriGri contains fun new features, like a place to tie a keeper cord, a place to write your name, and improved rope feeding and lowering. In the gym or at the crag, it makes belaying easier with cam-assisted blocking. With an anti-panic handle that makes it particularly suited for learning, the GRIGRI + is a cam-assisted blocking device for top rope or lead climbing in the gym or outside. the smart alpine is also comparable - auto lock but the longer lever means easier feeding but more weight. We will never share the personal, private information (including but not limited to your name, address, phone, or email) that you provide through www. Apr 13, 2016 · Of course, the development of a new product coincided with the development of bad habits and climbing accidents due to improper use, so a few years before the release of the Grigri 2, Petzl stepped up its efforts to educate the public on the correct usage through videos and posters hung in climbing gyms. Multpitch: 1X Grigri + 1X ATC, or 2X ATC, depending on the situation. Personally, I use the GriGri to belay my climbing partner and the ATC for rappelling from multi-pitch climbing. However, in multi-pitch climbing both climbing partners need their own belay and/or rappel device. Jul 23, 2023 · 50. com. Using the Grigri with the incorrect belay technique can cause serious injury or death. This version of the Grigri is no longer produced by Petzl and is unavailable to buy from major retailers. If bringing the Grigri, leader gets a Grigri belay and follower gets an ATC auto-blocking plaquette belay. A: When climbing at the gym or at single-pitch crags, only the belayer needs a belay device, so climbing partners may share a Grigri or other belay device. , Klemheist hitch or auto-block). g. Pete Edwards of Prowess Coaching compares the current Petzl GRIGRI model with the previous generation, and is surprised to see a few useful and subtle improvements. Sep 8, 2024 · A grigri is a belaying device with an assisted braking mechanism that you can use for rock climbing. Easy to use and sturdy. 3:1 Raising System. In 1991, Petzl offered climbers an all-new belay device, the GRIGRI. It is equipped with an ergonomic handle that provides a smooth and comfortable descent for the climber. Drawbacks of Climbing with a GriGri. 5 mm ropes. the gri gri really adds a lot of weight - too much imo if you're doing class 3 Dec 22, 2022 · The Grigri 1: When introduced in 1991, the Petzl Grigri revolutionized the market of assisted-braking belay devices. The success of this device has led to grigri becoming a common name for See full list on gearjunkie. Rappelling is a popular activity that can be done both indoors and outdoors. This cam engages on the rope under sudden friction, usually caused by a climber beginning to fall, and can be released by using the lever on the left side of the device giving the Jul 25, 2023 · The Grigri is an assisted braking belay device designed for climbing inside or outdoors. Since the inception of the original Grigri 1, the Grigri has continued to set the standard for belay devices with cam-assisted blocking (braking). Mar 23, 2016 · The GRIGRI was designed for a 10mm-11mm rope, but as sport climbing evolved, so did the preference of 9mm ropes. Apr 21, 2020 · Climbing articles, stories, interviews, reviews and guides. if a climber falls), a cam inside the GriGri rotates Feb 3, 2019 · Grigri. Petzl’s “new” GriGri technique (look up “belaying with a GriGri” on their website) is a big step forward as the hand that is holding the cam open is also holding the rope. You can even use a grigri to lead belay in either sport climbing or trad climbing, but there are some key differences to note between top rope belaying and lead belaying. Apr 28, 2025 · If you’re a newer climber, learning how to give a safe and proper toprope belay will also make you a much more desirable climbing partner. We do however recommend the Grigri Plus for mainly top roping and the Beal Birdie for mainly lead climbing. The grigri/atc debate comes down the the argument that a component belayer doesn’t need a brake assist. ” Jan 3, 2024 · The mechanism inside a GriGri is pretty simple and logical, having its roots not in climbing but in the car industry, particularly in the seat belt system. The Grigri by Petzl was released in 1991 and changed that. It covers what gear you will need to get started with the RAD system: how to install it o. Jan 22, 2025 · Anthony’s theory is that the added resistance comes from the Pinch’s visibly smaller rope channel (vs. In other words, the GriGri is designed to act like a seat belt, where if you move it slowly, it slides out, but if you pull it hard, it locks. The most significant drawback to climbing with a GriGri is that the exact approach doesn’t work as well with other belay instruments. If cost is keeping you from getting a grigri then the atc is perfectly fine. . e. the best one by a large margin is the megajul and smart alpine. The winner is a trusted classic: the Petzl GriGri 2. May 20, 2014 · This is often enough to boost someone past a single move, especially if he is able to assist by, well, climbing. Therefore, you should learn to belay with a Grigri in a controlled scenario and under the supervision of a highly skilled mentor or professional climbing guide. The Grigri plus is best described as being great for newer climbers or designed for use in a rock gym where people may have less experience belaying. The biggest disadvantage to climbing with a GRIGRI is that the same technique doesn’t work as well with other belay devices. Thinner ropes will slip. Its main characteristic is a clutch that assists in braking under a shock load. For an extra $100 a climber could purchase the Grigri and have an assistant to prevent climbers from falling even if the belayer became impaired. With the Grigri, the plate that pinches down on the weighted rope has a fixed, raised “plateau” at its heart that forms one side of the rope channel. Check out our Grigri Belaying Basics May 15, 2024 · I remembered that when I let go from the top of the climb, there was a brief hiccup in the fall, which must’ve been the Grigri auto-locking before releasing. May 13, 2025 · However, the most recent GriGri model is lighter, slicker, and ever so slightly more user-friendly than the older GriGri 2 (to say nothing of the improvements since the original GriGri). They should also be durable because sport climbing is rough on carabiners. Conclusion Dec 5, 2024 · The Petzl GriGri+ is the best active assisted-braking belay device for newer climbers and feels very familiar to anybody who has used a GriGri before. Spotting and belaying at the start of the route Is the Grigri better for climbing than the ATC? Though there’s no inherent reason why the ATC would limit your climbs, the GriGri’s extra security can make it better for doing things such as projecting, lead climbing, sport climbing, and route-setting. Mar 2, 2023 · They say that GriGri is the standard and the preference of many climbers when it comes to protection against worst-case scenarios. It brings an added level of safety while remaining versatile and usable. A Grigri (styled as GriGri or GRIGRI) is an assisted braking belay device manufactured by Petzl designed to help secure rock-climbing, rappelling, and rope-acrobatic activities. He must have thought the lever on the Grigri was the brake, and so yarded on it to try and stop my fall. If you’re learning to top rope now and are thinking about lead climbing or trad climbing in the future they are all suitable. Grigri. A Grigri also has the benefit of being able to release under load, which can be a great help if you need to release tension for some Aug 12, 2013 · Use an assisted-braking device (e. The fundamental difference between the two devices lies in the cam. Love my GriGri. One reason to belay from above, or direct belay, with an assisted-braking belay device (such as the Grigri) is that it is easily converted to a 3:1 raising system (aka the Z system) in a matter of seconds. Yes the GriGri is stupidly expensive for what it is. Climbing gyms now test on them, and a lot of elite climbers rely on their belayers to use the Grigri for its dependable assisted braking and slack-feeding. GRIGRI belayers get accustomed to the device doing a lot of the It’s different than an atc but easy to learn and the assisted breaking is nice. He said, “The V groove straightened out the rope while lowering and rappelling,” with less kinking than a Grigri. I firmly believe that 99% of only-ATC-using GriGri-haters do it to look "cool" with their cheaper, simpler, old-school device. Jan 2, 2019 · The Grigri 2 is a smaller lighter version of the original, they still offer it and is what most people use, has and will continue to be a great product. The Petzl Djin Bent Gate Non-Locking Carabiner perfectly combines those two characteristics. Note: if you’re doing any kind of big wall climbing or going up multiple pictures of rope in a day, you’re probably going to find it more efficient to use the more traditional two jumar system. The challenge thus became how to increase the diameter range (which became 9. I tend to agree. The Grigri is the first and most popular assisted-braking belay device. Climbing Anchors Ltd (“Climbing Anchors”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. It is great for indoor lead climbing. Mar 9, 2016 · In climbing, linear motion is the motion of ascending or falling, and consequently is the motion of the rope. The cam-assisted-blocking technology has remained the same The Grigri is an assisted braking belay device. It offers several features that many will see as improvements over the standard GriGri, including an anti-panic handle and two different modes for top-rope and lead belaying. But there are currently two devices on the market: the Petzl GriGri (2019) and the GriGri+, this article will help you decide between the two. Belaying a second from above with GRIGRI, GRIGRI + and NEOX Universal technique for correct use of a belay device. The Grigri functions much the same as the plaquette style belay device, with pretty much the same pros and cons. The GriGri 2 has been a leading device on the market for years, and for good reason. Black Diamond ATC Pilot vs GriGri i own a figure 8, gri gri, megajul, smart alpine, atc and assisted atc. You can easily back up the GriGri with a knot to a locker for multi-pitching while correcting the issue. Sport climbing carabiners should be hyper-functional and easy to use. Other active assisted braking devices (devices with a moving cam, like the Camp Matik) tend to be at least as pricy. It’s the ideal belay device for top rope climbing with a specific mode that makes it easier to take up slack. climbinganchors. That said, it stays at home because the grigri can do the same thing (better) and more. Jul 25, 2024 · Showing how the internal mechanism is different in the PETZL NEOX and GRIGRI. Since the device has its own braking mechanism inside the channel that the rope runs through, you can’t just feed the rope out in the same way you would with a placket style Jun 21, 2023 · When I think of sport-climbing carabiners, two things come to mind– functionality and durability. As such, this is the device we recommend for experienced climbers who want one belay device or all kinds of climbing. a Grigri) and steel, V-shaped rope groove (as opposed to the way the Grigri twists the brake strand over a rounded lip). But which one is the best? Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds. Oct 16, 2020 · Wait a sec, I heard you shouldn’t a Grigri for trad climbing, because it increases forces on the top placement . How The Grigri Works Oct 4, 2024 · Even people who have safely used the GriGri since last century have occasionally gone into “GriGri Lock”, grabbing the cam open in a surprise fall. Its safety features are simply unmatched. The Grigri makes belaying easier and safer thanks to the cam-assisted braking mechanism. Reply reply segFault_ohNo Abundant features for a better belay. Grigri for everything single pitch. May 5, 2025 · A belay device is essential for catching falls anytime you're climbing on a rope. If one person loses control for any reason (gets hit by a rock, has a seizure, etc. So it requires a little time to adapt to. You will need a wider rope to rappel with a GriGri. 5 days ago · This has quickly become the industry standard and is now included on a Climbing Wall Instructor training course, i. There are a variety of rappelling systems on the market, but the grigri system is one of the safest and most Belaying with the GRIGRI The belay technique to be used is very similar to the generic belay technique, but has a few specifics. Mar 23, 2024 · Climbing is dangerous. Thanks for reading! Pros And Cons Of Rappelling With A Grigri. Jan 7, 2019 · Climbing is a blast! And belaying a climber is a major skill needed for any type of climbing. Learn how to belay a lead climber with instruction from the American Mountain Guides Association. May 13, 2025 · Petzl's Grigri has become a standard in the climbing community over the past decade. Dec 13, 2023 · Most guides carry both the GriGri and the ATC, but in a pinch, they may rely on one device over the other. Sep 7, 2020 · The Grigri is a single rope, assisted braking belay device from climbing gear manufacturers Petzl. It has a camming mechanism to help the belayer arrest a fall. No issues. The result is a comprehensive comparison-t Jun 19, 2023 · Climbing gyms love the GriGri and both climbers and belayers feel safe when the GriGri is in play, be it at the crag or an indoor facility. Some use a maillon or two for a similar purpose. lighter than an atc, locks like a gri gri, can rapel like an atc. Rotational motion in climbing is hopefully limited to the motion of certain devices, like SLCDs (cams), pulleys, and the action of a Grigri braking. The Grigri: the Grigri sets the standard for belaying devices. esrwim zyada sbmepn zpmviz itdy kyq qsjvh zloyjf rhhcvo faea