Brand: Petzl
Category: Belay & Rappel Devices
Recommended by Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide — Colorado Springs, CO
Highlights: assisted braking
The Petzl Grigri Belay Device is a premium climbing tool designed for safety and control, featuring an innovative assisted braking system that enhances belaying performance. Its compact design and compatibility with a wide range of rope sizes make it the trusted choice for climbers of all levels. 1. Assisted braking mechanism provides enhanced control during falls, ensuring a smooth catch. 2. Compatible with dynamic ropes ranging from 8.5 to 11mm, accommodating various climbing styles. 3. Durable stainless steel cam and friction plate designed for long-lasting performance and reliability. 4. Ergonomic brake handle allows for precise lowering control, even on steep or overhanging routes. 5. Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry in your climbing pack without added bulk. 6. Intuitive handling suited for both experienced climbers and beginners learning the ropes. 7. Trusted by climbers in gyms and outdoor crags worldwide, establishing it as a standard in belay devices. The Petzl Grigri Belay Device is ideal for sport climbing, both in indoor gyms and outdoor crags. It excels in environments where safety and control are paramount, making it perfect for belaying heavier partners or teaching new climbers. Suitable for climbers of all skill levels, this device is particularly effective in challenging scenarios, such as overhanging routes or when rappelling. Its versatility ensures it performs well in various climbing conditions throughout the year.
Price: $104.95
- Who it's for
- Climbers doing cragging, sport climbing, or multi-pitch who want an assisted braking device for both lead and toprope belaying. Hosts suggest it over the Grigri+ for those who want a simpler, easier-to-learn tool.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise its reliability, versatility, and low friction for toprope belaying on multi-pitch. One host notes the Grigri+ is more complicated and harder to learn, making this the preferred pick.
- Worth noting
- Hosts flag that lead belaying requires a learning curve before it performs well. Notes are uniformly positive with no criticism of the device itself.
Joe Kalis's review
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 by Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Grigri Belay Device for?
Climbers doing cragging, sport climbing, or multi-pitch who want an assisted braking device for both lead and toprope belaying. Hosts suggest it over the Grigri+ for those who want a simpler, easier-to-learn tool.
What do experts say about the Grigri Belay Device?
Hosts consistently praise its reliability, versatility, and low friction for toprope belaying on multi-pitch. One host notes the Grigri+ is more complicated and harder to learn, making this the preferred pick.
What should you know before buying the Grigri Belay Device?
Hosts flag that lead belaying requires a learning curve before it performs well. Notes are uniformly positive with no criticism of the device itself.
What does Joe Kalis say about the Grigri Belay Device?
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.
Why does Joe Kalis recommend Petzl?
Joe Kalis recommends the Petzl Grigri Belay Device for belay & rappel devices. 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.
Is the Grigri Belay Device a good belay & rappel device?
Yes — Joe Kalis recommends the Grigri Belay Device by Petzl as their belay & rappel devices pick. 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.
More from Joe Kalis's Rock Climbing
View Joe Kalis'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
The longtime standard assisted brake device continues to be my favorite.
Recommended in Sport 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
Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide
It's popular for good reason; this is the go to belay device for lead, top-rope, and top-belay.
Recommended in Multipitch Sport 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
