PETZL GriGri Assisted Braking Belay Device REVIEW

About PETZL Brand

When we talk about Petzl, we talk about the best Brand of climbing equipment. It has more than 40 years of experience. The GriGri could be considered to be the star product of this Brand.

Petzl is a French company founded in 1968. It can be considered as one of the pioneers in mountaineering equipment. Because of its experience and innovation, Petzl has become the number one brand in sports equipment sales.

Below you will find my in-depth review about one of their products – PETZL Grigri Assisted Braking Belay Device.

1. Why did I choose PETZL GriGri?

I chose the product mainly because of Petzl experience, which ensures the much needed security when climbing.

It also has an automatic braking system in the case of a fall, which allows me to focus 100% on the climbing and not worry too much about the person who is assuring me and what could go wrong.

Another reason is the compact design of the GriGri, and its compatibility with different range of ropes. Previously we climbed with ropes with diameter between 10.2 and 11 milimiters, but the climbing industry has evolved so much that today we climb using the ropes with diameter smaller than 10 milimiters, which are also lighter. And the GriGri Works perfectly with these new type of ropes.

If you are already an avid climber or are just starting out, GriGri is a gear that must be included in your climbing backpack.

2. How do I plan to use PETZL GriGri?

I mainly use the GriGri for practicing sport climbing, traditional climbing, and long Wall climbing, which are the types that I usually practice, though I also use it for security purposes on the climbing wall. There is currently a climbing popularity boom, and with it, an increased number of new climbing walls. We can find climbing walls with routes of more than 30m. So no excuses, let's climb!

The main reason for using the GriGri is its automatic braking system in case of a fall. This makes climbing safer, and I can concentrate 100% on the route. It is also very light, but safety is the main reason.

3. How to use the GriGri and description about the main features

It is a very simple system - we open the device and place the rope. It is important to put the rope in the right direction. This is also shown graphically on the GriGri – there is a drawing of the climber and another of the rope placed in the hand.

Once the rope has been introduced, we only have to secure the partner, giving them the rope necessary for their progression.

Once we want to descend the partner from the wall, we only have to activate the lever in the left hand pulling towards us, and with the right hand, we will take the rope at the height of our waist. We will be balancing the pressure we exert with our left hand and the rope that we release with the right hand.

Self-locking: the GriGri has a self-locking system. In case our climbing partner falls, the automatic brake will be activated. We must always hold the rope with the right hand.

Lightness: 175 grams

Compatibility: 8.5 to 11mm ropes.

Materials: aluminum side plates, stainless steel braking pad and cam, and reinforced nylon grip.

Certifications: CE EN 15151-1, UIAA

Versatility: belay climbers with a single rope, descending with a single fixed rope, locking ropes, and releasing rope tension.

Disengageable: we can remove tension from the rope with the left lever.

Use it as a descender: we can descend on single ropes.

4. To whom is this product suitable?

This product is specially designed for climbers, mainly for securing our climbing partner. It can be used outdoors and on climbing walls, but it can also work for other types of things that involve blocking a rope.

Imagine that you place a rope and you want to climb it. The GriGri can do it, blocking the rope, but you will still need a harness.

5. Product contents and specification

Contains: GriGri and instruction manual.

Belay with cam-assisted locking for sports climbing and for the climbing wall:

- Common gestures based on the accompaniment of the rope on the device and the permanent hold on the brake side of the rope.

- Belaying comfort, thanks to cam-assisted locking: while if the climber rests or in case of a fall, the rope tightens, and the cam pivots and grips the rope to lock it.

- Cam-assisted locking provides high tolerance of the hand position on the brake side, regardless of the angle between the climber's rope and the rope on the brake side.

- Rope installation diagram engraved on the GriGri (inside and outside).

Exceptional descent comfort:

- Comfortable grip and easy rope release, thanks to the ergonomic handle.

- Very progressive control of rope flow, which provides a smooth and comfortable descent.

- Handle reduction ratio by 3 for greater control of the flow of the rope with small diameter, and less effort on the handle for ropes with large diameters.

6. Main benefits

The GriGri has countless advantages over other similar products, making it the number one on the market.

From my point of view, the main benefit is safety. Which arises from the confidence that Petzl creates, and the fact that this GriGri is self-locking.

How many times have we heard about climbing accidents due to a poort belaying or distractions that make the rope start to run, and then there is no way to stop it due to the burns it produces? This will never happen with this GriGri, because it has an automatic braking system.

7. Features I like about PETZL GriGri

Lightness: it is essential that we choose lightweight gear, but at the same time very resistant and reliable gear in the. This one weighs only 175 grams.

Compact: compared to its previous version, it is almost half the size but with the same features.

Diameter range: with this belay device, you can use ropes ranging from 8.5 to 11mm.

Ergonomic handle: for a better hand position when descending.

*NOTE: all the information provided here is for reference only and is not intended as a training on how to use the Grigri.

We are talking about a very safe system, but we need to be previously trained in order to use it correctly.

Where to buy PETZL GriGri Belay Device

I hope that my detailed review was helpful. This product is really outstanding and it has hundreds of positive reviews also on Amazon.