The Snipe, left, and Flycatcher ropes with a Micro Jul belay device
An innovative climbing rope from German brand Edelrid topped out in the recent ISPO awards.
The Snipe rope won the Outdoor Product of the Year in a vote by the jury at the major outdoor trade show held in Munich.
The Snipe also picked up a gold award, one of three prizes for the company at ISPO.
The rope uses Edelrid’s all new Enduro-Tec construction, which lends it two distinct sheath diameters.
“The immediate benefit conferred by a dual-diameter construction is safety,” the company said.
“Often the person belaying is paying close attention to their climbing partner, but may not have an accurate idea of the amount of remaining rope yet to be paid out.
“As both the first and last 7m as well as the middle section of the Snipe utilise a 10mm sheath – as opposed to a 9.8mm sheath elsewhere – this provides clear haptic [by feel] feedback to the belayer as the leader ascends or descends that they are nearing the halfway mark or end of their available rope respectively.
“In order to further heighten this sense of awareness the visual appearance and feel of the 10mm sheath are also distinct.
“Thanks to Edelrid’s proprietary ropemaking expertise, these end and middle sections of the Snipe also make use of a reinforced sheath that is 4 per cent thicker than elsewhere on the rope. The practical benefit of this is increased durability for the sections of the rope that sustain the greatest impact in the event of a leader fall.
“In addition this allows the thinner sections of the rope, with 9.8mm sheath diameter, to maintain superior handling characteristics when run through a karabiner or belay device.
The Snipe goes on sale this month with a suggested price of £225 for 60m.
Edelrid’s second winner was another rope but one with very different properties.
The Orion harness
The Flycatcher is a twin rope designed for lightweight alpine climbing that boasts a diameter of just 6.9mm. This is thinner than most accessory cords on the market and is so specialist it requires a specifically designed belay device to use it safely.
Edelrid said: “It boasts the ability to withstand the impact force of up to 17 falls, while only weighing 35g/m – roughly half of most standard climbing ropes.
“The Micro Jul which is sold alongside the Flycatcher is suitable for use with double and twin ropes between 6.9mm and 8.5mm and offers an asymmetric design enables particularly high braking performance. It assists with braking a leader fall and locks even at low levels of force exerted by the belayer.”
The company said rope can be paid out faster to a leader by holding device in the open position with the thumb, while the design also enables controlled releasing and lowering.
A pair of 60m Flycatcher ropes and a Micro Jul belay device will retail as a set at £290, with availability again from March.
The final winning product, the Orion, comes from Edelrid’s new range of 3D-Vent harnesses, which it said offers a novel approach to harness design.
“Designed around the premise that a comfortable harness depends on a large, even distribution of pressure the new 3D-Vent harness construction utilises waist belt and leg loop measurements of up to 60mm, much larger than a conventional harness,” Edelrid said.
“With such a large surface area the challenge comes in ensuring wearer comfort. Edelrid have done so by using an ergonomic 3D shape, as opposed to the flat shape common in other harnesses.
“This development is particularly evident in the leg loops, which are contoured with an elastic mesh insert to provide a secure, comfortable fit.
“Also of note is the use of 3-layer foam padding throughout the waist belt and leg loops, which features myriad venting holes for quick moisture transpiration and top-notch breathability.
“The additional benefit of this foam construction is its ability to withstand large amounts of surface pressure, without deformation or changes in shape.
“This is partly due to the ergonomic 3D form and also a result of the structural reinforcements utilised.
“The reinforcements take the form of thin pieces of tech webbing, though aesthetically pleasing they have a functional value as well; the homogenous nature of the stitching, as well as the positioning of the webbing itself ensures that load transmission is second-to-none, ensuring unbeatable safety and comfort.”
For all-year round use the Orion is fully adjustable at both the waist belt and leg loops and will be available from March, selling at £85.
More details and stockists lists are on the Edelrid website.
