10 Recommended Climbing Ascenders Popular Ranking [Introduced by Hand Chest Type! ]

An “ascender” is used to prevent your hands from slipping off the rope when climbing. Also known as an ascender, it is an indispensable item for climbing, just like a helmet or harness. However, since the shape, size, grip type, number of holes, etc., are different, many people may not know which one to choose. But it’s important. We need Safety Outdoor Gear to keep us safe.

So this time, we will introduce choosing a climbing ascender and recommended popular products in a ranking format! Products from popular manufacturers such as Petzl Rock Terix will also be available. So please find the one that matches you and enjoys climbing.

Supervised by an expert! How to choose an ascender for climbing

This time, we asked mountaineering guide Django to watch how to select an ascender for climbing.

Hand ascenders on long ropes and steep slopes

If you want to support “self-belay” to ensure your safety, or if you’re going to use it on long ropes or steep slopes, choose a “hand ascender” with a grip. If you use the foot loop and foot ascender together, the climbing power will be improved.

Check whether it is for the right hand or the left hand!

There are two types of hand ascenders, one for the right hand and one for the left hand, but the point is to use them correctly according to the scene. For example, on steep slopes with difficulty, use the one with a stable handedness.

Conversely, while climbing a relatively gentle slope, it is good to use the non-dominant ascender to rest your dominant hand or hold the ice ax in your dominant hand and use the ascender in your other hand.

Check grip size and processing.

Wear gloves and choose a grip that is sized to hold correctly. If you don’t have enough size, you may not move your hands smoothly because it is narrow when you wear gloves, even if you hold them with your bare hands and fit them.

We also recommend those with a hand cover, those with rubber processing, and those with a shape that matches your fingers. It is not slippery and does not hurt your hands even after long-term use so that you can hold it firmly.

Check how many holes there are!

Check the number of holes for mounting the carabiner. If you use the hand ascender by sliding it, it may come off the rope. To prevent this, it is necessary to attach and use a “carabiner.”

Even if you have only one hole, you can attach two carabiners if the hole size is relatively large. Also, depending on the product, the types of carabiner that can be used are limited, so it is good to check in advance.

Chest ascender for emergencies

It’s a good idea to have a chest ascender in case something goes wrong. It is easy to install so that it can be installed quickly, even in an emergency. In addition, many of them are compact and lightweight, so they are convenient to carry.

It also has a short slack and can slide smoothly on the rope, so it is also recommended when adjusting the basic posture.

Check the appropriate size of the rope.

Check the appropriate size of the rope in advance. The ascender is for use with the rope. If the strings are not the right size, they may be too thick to fit in or too thin to be stable.

The rope size that can be used is indicated in either millimeters or inches, such as 8-11 mm and 3.5-4.7 inches (about 88-119 mm). Check it carefully as it is printed on the product package.

With slots, you can remove ice and mud from the rope.

Choose one that has a slot on the cam. Without spaces, mud and ice on the rope can clog up along the way, causing it not to move smoothly, or your hands may slip. With slots, you’ll be able to get rid of mud and ice and prevent clogging.

In addition, if the cam has jagged teeth, it will be less likely to get clogged and hold the rope firmly. The jaggedness of the cam is often not visible from the table, so slide the cam to check it.

5 Recommended Popularity Rankings for Climbing Ascenders (Hands)

We will introduce popular climbing ascenders in a ranking format, divided into hand type and chest type. First is a hand-type climbing ascender.

5th place

GM CLIMBING Ascender GM1504

Wide handle that is easy to grip even with gloves on

The wide handle makes it an ascender that is easy to grip even when wearing gloves. Lightweight and durable aluminum alloy is used as the primary material. The cam is made of stainless steel and is more robust. It also has a self-cleaning slot so that you can use it with ropes with ice or mud.

Dominant hand: right hand

Size: Length 200 x width 89 mm

Grip Material: Rubber

Number of holes: Four

Rope adaptation size: 8-12mm

Slot: Yes

4th

Grivel A & D light GV-RTADR

For assistance when climbing! Convenient to use even when descending

A hand ascender is recommended for climbing aids. It is very convenient because it can be used not only for climbing but also for dropping. It supports ropes with a diameter of 8.3 to 13 mm in climbing mode and 7.3 to 13 mm in diameter in landing mode. It is also attractive that you can hold it firmly with an ergonomic grip.

Dominant hand: right hand

Size: Length 200 x width 93 mm

Grip material: —

Number of holes: Five

Rope adaptation size: 7.3-13mm

Slot: —

3rd place

climbing technology Quick roll CT-31071

Left-hand ascender with pulley

It is an ascender with a pulley of the Italian climbing brand “Climbing Technology.” Ergonomic handle design with excellent traction and wear resistance. It will be a reliable ally when climbing a rope.

The maximum operational load is 140 kg, which is extremely tough. You can improve the climbing efficiency by using it together with the chest ascender. This is for the left hand, which is easy to handle even for left-handed people. Of course, the right hand is also available, so please choose according to your dominant hand.

Dominant hand: left hand

Size: Length 189 x Width 93 mm

Grip material: —

Number of holes: Three

Rope adaptation size: 8 to 13 mm (EN567: 2013) / 10 to 13 mm (EN12841: 2006-B)

Slot: Yes

2nd place

LIXADA Ascender

Equipped with an uneven grip that can be firmly gripped

A lightweight ascender made of aluminum-magnesium alloy material that weighs only 239g. The grip part has irregularities so that it fits your fingers firmly when you grasp it so that you can grip it with great force.

The maximum load capacity is 140 kg. Compatible with ropes with a diameter of 8 to 13 mm. There are plenty of colors, and you can choose between right-handed and left-handed ones. It’s relatively affordable among hand ascenders, so it’s a great way to practice for beginners. It’s a great Beginner Outdoor Gear.

Dominant hand: right hand

Size: Length 220 x width 86 mm

Grip material: —

Number of holes: Three

Rope adaptation size: 8 to 13 mm

Slot: Yes

First place

PETZL Ascension B17A

An ascender with an easy-to-grip structure and lightweight!

It is a hand ascender of the French manufacturer “Petzl” that handles mountaineering equipment. The grip is improved by separating the part where the index finger and other fingers are hung. As a result, the grasp is comprehensive and easy to grip even with gloves on, supporting smooth climbing.

It weighs only 165g and is very lightweight. It is also attractive that you can efficiently operate it with one or both hands. Of course, it also has a cleaning slot to be used with ropes with mud or ice. It is an item that has been highly evaluated as “easy to use” on the EC site.

Dominant hand: right hand

Size: —

Grip material: —

Number of holes: Two

Rope adaptation size: 8 to 13 mm

Slot: Yes

5 Recommended Popularity Rankings for Climbing Ascenders (Chests)

Next, I would like to introduce a chest-type climbing ascender.

5th place

CAMP Turbo chest 5225601

Equipped with rollers that make rope carrying smooth

A chest ascender is fitted with rollers that smooth the movement of the string and reduce wear. With a convenient strap, it is also attractive that it is easy to operate while wearing gloves. There is a self-cleaning hole to prevent mud and dust from accumulating. It is a lightweight type weighing only 110g and is easy to carry.

Number of holes: Two

Rope adaptation size: 8 to 13 mm

Slot: Yes

4th

Ascender PETZL Shunt B03B

Both single and double ropes can be used.

Ascender that can be used with both single and double ropes. Although it is an auxiliary tool for rappelling, it can also be used for rope climbing such as climbing. The smooth surface of the cam makes it difficult to damage the rope, which is also an excellent point.

Number of holes: One

Rope adaptation size: 10-11mm (single) / 8-11mm (double)

Slot: —

3rd place

climbing technology Roll’n lock CT-31052

Not just rope climbing! It also supports lifting luggage

“Roll’n lock” is a convenient item that can be used multiple times with one. When used as an ascender, it can be moved freely in the upward direction and locked in the downward trend. It can also be used for halling, which is convenient for lifting luggage.

In addition, it can be used for simple pulleys and crevasse rescues that support pulling up with a light force, so if you have one, you can use it in a wide range of ways. Please use it in combination with an oval-type carabiner.

Number of holes: One

Rope adaptation size: 8 to 13 mm

Slot: —

2nd place

PETZL Tie block B01B

Super lightweight! Brake function works in any position

An ultra-lightweight ascender is weighing only 35g. It’s a simple and small product, but it’s a very reliable and excellent product. A sturdy stainless steel cam automatically pinches the rope, allowing the brakes to work in any position.

In addition, the cam is equipped with diagonal teeth, which makes it possible to remove clogging. It can be used firmly even if mud or ice adheres to the rope. It is a convenient, helpful item when climbing where cords need to be wrapped or when halling.

Number of holes: One

Rope adaptation size: 8-11mm

Slot: Yes

First place

Ascender Arcteryx Simple Ascender RTASD-1123

The compact and straightforward design makes it easy to handle!

It is an ascender with a straightforward structure that you can rely on when you descend too much and climb again. It is also attractive that it is reasonable as an ascender. It will be easy to pick up as an item to get used to the practice of hanging the rope and how to use it.

The compact size of 80 x 65 mm makes it hard to get in the way. The side of the ascender body illustrates how to use it, so it is easier to handle if you are using it for the first time. It is also useful as a device for unloading.

Number of holes: One

Rope adaptation size: 10-13mm

Slot: —

Points when using the ascender

It is an ascender that supports climbing and enhances safety, but it may lead to unexpected accidents if not used correctly. Here, I will introduce the points when using the ascender.

It’s even more encouraging to use two!

Use two ascenders when climbing with ropes or where you are likely to slip. It’s even safer to have another one in case the ascender comes off the rope.

You only need to use one ascender when standing and moving along a fixed rope, where it is unlikely to slip. However, in that case, care must be taken not to cause slack in the string.

Be sure to try before climbing.

It is essential to try it on the ground before actually climbing and using it. Make sure you can attach the rope or carabiner you plan to use. It is necessary to check whether the cam can be operated smoothly through the hole and whether it bites the string correctly and locks.

Depending on the ascender, the shape of the carabiner to be attached may be limited. So let’s check it properly in advance.

How to rent climbing items!

Besides the ascender, many other items are helpful when climbing. We recommend using the rental service for those who find it challenging to get all at once or beginners who are just starting climbing. Unfortunately, ascenders cannot be rented because life-threatening tools cannot be rented, but please refer to the following articles. But we also have other outdoor products, such as Hill Walking Equipment.

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Summary

This time, we have introduced the recommended climbing ascenders. Did you find a product you were interested in? Accidents and injuries are common when climbing. Just in case, make good use of the ascender to make your climbing safe and enjoyable.