Brand: Petzl
Category: Belay & Rappel Devices
Recommended by Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide — Denver, CO
Highlights: lead climbing, top rope
The Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device in striking red offers climbers enhanced safety and comfort with its innovative assisted braking system. Lightweight and compact, this device is designed for both indoor gyms and outdoor crags, making it an essential tool for climbers of all skill levels. 1. Assisted braking mechanism enhances control and reduces the risk of accidents during belaying. 2. Compatible with dynamic single ropes ranging from 8.5mm to 11mm in diameter for versatile use. 3. Lightweight design ensures easy transport and handling without compromising performance. 4. Compact size allows for convenient storage in climbing packs or harnesses. 5. Durable construction withstands the rigors of frequent use in various climbing environments. 6. Ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip, facilitating smooth operation during climbs. 7. Suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers, making it a versatile choice for any climbing enthusiast. The Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device is ideal for rock climbing, whether in a gym setting or on outdoor routes. It excels in environments where safety and ease of use are paramount, making it perfect for climbers of all skill levels. This device is particularly beneficial for those who frequently belay others, as its assisted braking feature provides added security. Whether you're tackling a challenging sport route or enjoying a casual day at the climbing gym, the GRIGRI is designed to enhance your climbing experience year-round.
Price: $104.95
- Who it's for
- Climbers of most experience levels doing single-pitch sport, gym, trad multi-pitch, or top-rope — essentially anyone belaying at a crag or indoors. Beginners are pointed toward the GRIGRI+ variant instead, which adds a toprope mode and anti-panic lowering lever.
- What people are saying
- Hosts unanimously call it the industry standard assisted-braking device, praising its versatility across lead belay, top-rope, rappel, self-rescue, and anchor work. No criticism appears in the notes; the only divergence is a mild preference debate between this model and the GRIGRI+, with most hosts favoring the original.
- Worth noting
- Multiple hosts flag that assisted braking is not hands-free — keeping a hand on the brake strand is still required. The newer Petzl Neox is mentioned as worth considering for climbers planning to progress quickly into lead climbing.
Brent Smith's review
It's popular for good reason; this is the go to belay device for lead, top-rope, and top-belay.
Recommended by Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device for?
Climbers of most experience levels doing single-pitch sport, gym, trad multi-pitch, or top-rope — essentially anyone belaying at a crag or indoors. Beginners are pointed toward the GRIGRI+ variant instead, which adds a toprope mode and anti-panic lowering lever.
What do experts say about the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device?
Hosts unanimously call it the industry standard assisted-braking device, praising its versatility across lead belay, top-rope, rappel, self-rescue, and anchor work. No criticism appears in the notes; the only divergence is a mild preference debate between this model and the GRIGRI+, with most hosts favoring the original.
What should you know before buying the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device?
Multiple hosts flag that assisted braking is not hands-free — keeping a hand on the brake strand is still required. The newer Petzl Neox is mentioned as worth considering for climbers planning to progress quickly into lead climbing.
What does Brent Smith say about the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device?
It's popular for good reason; this is the go to belay device for lead, top-rope, and top-belay.
Why does Brent Smith recommend Petzl?
Brent Smith recommends the Petzl Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device for belay & rappel devices. It's popular for good reason; this is the go to belay device for lead, top-rope, and top-belay.
Is the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device a good belay & rappel device?
Yes — Brent Smith recommends the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device by Petzl as their belay & rappel devices pick. It's popular for good reason; this is the go to belay device for lead, top-rope, and top-belay.
More from Brent Smith's Multipitch Sport Climbing
View Brent Smith's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
22 experts recommend the Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device.
Laurel Walker, Mountain Athlete, Guide, Coach
My go-to for sport climbing.
Recommended in Climbing and Mountaineering
Cora Hanson, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
My go-to belay device from top roping to lead climbing. The GRIGRI is the gold standard when it comes to belaying because of its assisted braking technology and its compact, lightweight design.
Recommended in Sport Climbing
Ben Lim, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Assistant Ski Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide
We love a standard GRIGRI. I've tried basically every ABD on the market and continue to come back to old faithful here. I often bring this multi-pitch climbing too.
Recommended in Rock Climbing Essentials
Teddy Dondanville, AMGA Assistant Rock Guide & Certified Single Pitch Instructor
The Grigri is my primary mechanical-assisted braking device. I love it for lead belaying, belaying a single rope in "guide mode," and rappelling a single strand.
Recommended in Multi Pitch Kit
Great for lead, and toprope belays, the grigri offers extra security with it's assisted braking mechanism.
Recommended in Desert Rock
Ryan Harris, Mountain Guide and Ski Patroller
my go to device for lead belaying, and multi pitch climb. saves my elbows from wear and tear when I belay from the top
Recommended in Traditional rock climbing
Dan Morley, Rock Climbing Guide
The gold standard of belay devices and my personal recommendation.
Recommended in Personal Climbing Gear
There is a reason this device has been trusted for decades. It is awesome. If you are going to buy one of this style belay device, buy this one. The Grigri+ in my opinion is more complicated and difficult to learn how to use.
Recommended in Sport Climbing
Kate Sedrowski, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor
The gold standard of assisted-braking belay devices, the Petzl Grigri is my belay device of choice in most situations, from the gym to sport cragging to trad multi-pitch. If you're a beginner looking for your first belay device, you can't go wrong with the Petzl Grigi (and I recommend it over the Grigri+).
Recommended in Essential Climbing Gear
this is the standard for assisted break devices.
Recommended in Top Rope Climbing
The OG grigri is a super versatile and effective device for top-down belaying and beyond. Very rarely leaves my harness.
Recommended in What's in Cal's Gunks bag?
Jarrod Blundy, Founder/Guide at Onward Mountain Guides
I carry one primarily for building/accessing anchors to rappel. They're also nice for top belaying a single follower on non-icy ropes in the winter.
Recommended in Ice Climbing Kit
Owen Duda, Climber, Guide, Craftsman, Writer
The classic ABD (assisted breaking device). Multifunctional, and lives on most modern day climbers harness.
Recommended in Starter Rock Package
Michael Murphy, Rock Climbing Instructor and Business Owner
This is the most common tool I use in my guiding. I'm almost never without a GriGri.
Recommended in Guide Kit
Brad Burns, PCGI Single Pitch Instructor, La Sportiva Athlete
Standardization in climbing is safety. If you're at the crag, look around, and almost every single party will be belaying with the GRIGRI. This device is THE standard for single pitch climbing. The device is incredibly safe, feeds rope smoothly, and lowers the climber well. I have even started using the GRIGRI as my primary multipitch belay device thanks to the ease of its progress-capture and the smoothness of taking in slack. For beginner climbers, look into the GRIGRI+ device, which has a toprope mode, and features a safety lever which works to prevent lowering a climber too fast.
Recommended in Crag Gear
Chris Johnson, Apprentice Climbing Guide, Professional Ski Patroller
The default assisted braking device. The GriGri is the new standard in belay devices. I'm partial to the GriGri vs the GriGri +, but either are solid.
Recommended in First Climbing Purchases
Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide
The workhorse assisted braking device. You'll find them everywhere for good reason! Multiple applications for cragging, sport climbing, rescue situations. I prefer mine for all of the above.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
The best assisted braking belay device. The original, the GOAT
Recommended in Rock Climbing
In my opinion this is simply the best assisted braking device out there. Once you learn how to use it to lead belay it performs so well. And I love how little friction it has for top belaying when climbing multi-pitch in a group of two.
Recommended in Rock Climbing Mentorship Program
My favorite cam-assisted belay device.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
Andy Scott, Owner/Lead Guide at Small Cliffs Guiding
The Grigri is the go to assisted belay device. Belay, rappel, self rescue, this device does it all and does it well.
Recommended in My First List
