
This is a huge advantage for activities such as canyoning, where you’re going to face different types of terrain in one rappel. This is in contrast to more basic devices such as an ATC, where the only control you have is how tightly you grip the rope.Īdditionally, the PIRANA allows you to make these adjustments mid-air. If you’re completing a steep, overhanging rappel, if can notch up the resistance to give yourself more control if you’re looking to get down in a hurry, you can keep the friction a little lower and get down easier. In terms of technical performance, the PIRANA has six different levels of friction that it can provide, depending on how technical the rappel is and what kind of terrain you’re dealing with. What I like most about the Petzl PIRANA is that it has just enough features to make it capable of performing technical rappels, without having a confusing array of gimmicks that can make it difficult to handle. It’s also one of the cheapest devices that we’re going to look at when combined with its durability, this solidifies its position as the #1 rappel device on the market right now. It’s got a little bit of everything, avoids going overboard in any one area, and caps it off with a simple-yet-durable design. The Petzl PIRANA is my winner for the best overall rappel device. Best Device: The Petzl PIRANAīe attached to the rope without needing to disconnect from your harness. For all-around alpinists who need a rappelĭevice, nothing even comes close. Despite an influx of new devices, the ATC remains the most The Black Diamond ATC: Father time once fought theĪTC and lost.

With a smooth lowering feel to be the best canyon device.

The SQWUREL combined mid-air adjustability The SQWUREL 2: When canyoneering, you sometimes need The world has ever seen to a true all-arounder. The Edelrid Giga Jul: For people who put rockĬlimbing first and rappelling second, the Giga Jul is the closest thing that However, knocked it down a couple of spots. With its security, ease of use, and durability. For single-strand rappels, there’s no other device than can compete The Petzl Stop Descender: This device is the ultimate It’s mid-airįriction variation and belay compatibility, however, win it the number two The Sterling ATS: A device that’s pretty good atĮverything but not the best at anything, the Sterling ATS has a few fundamentalįlaws that were detrimental to it not being #1 on this list. It has six different friction levels for dealing with more It’s affordable, packable, easy to use,Īnd super durable. The Petzl PIRANA: The PIRANA is the single best So, without further ado, the best devices for rappelling All of the information in this reviewĬomes from personal experience and in-depth research that I’ve done to try andįind the best single device for you to use while rappelling. When judging the devices, I’m looking at a variety ofįactors including how well they allow you to control the rappel, how easy theyĪre to operate, and how durable they are. In the following article I’m going toīreak down the scenarios where you may choose one of these devices, along with Of them are built for all-around use, while others have very specific functionsĪnd may not work as well as generalists. These devices are good for different uses. Picking a rappelling device is a little bit different than picking a belay device. Made the following guide to help you make your decision. If you haven’t gone through a belaying training course, we highly recommend it.There are a lot of different rappel devices on the market.Ĭhoosing which one to use can be a confusing and difficult process, so I’ve

Feed this loop through one of the sides of the ATC device.Make a small loop from the belay side of the rope.Using an ATC device for belaying is pretty simple, but it’s critical that it’s done right to ensure the safety of the climber! Here is a quick summary of the steps, followed by a video to illustrate the points!
