Laurel Walker, Mountain Athlete, Guide, Coach
My go-to for sport climbing.
Recommended in Climbing and Mountaineering
Brand: TAZ
Category: Belay & Rappel Devices
Recommended by Nicholas Metz, Mountain Guide — North Conway, NH
Highlights: assisted braking
The Grigri by Petzl is a revolutionary belay device that enhances safety and control for climbers of all skill levels. Its innovative cam-assisted braking system ensures smooth descents and reliable performance, making it an essential tool for both indoor and outdoor climbing. 1. Cam-assisted braking technology provides reliable and smooth control during descents. 2. Ergonomic handle design allows for easy operation and comfortable grip. 3. Compatible with single ropes ranging from 8.5 to 11 mm, offering versatility for various climbing scenarios. 4. Compact and lightweight construction makes it easy to carry and handle on climbs. 5. Designed for both sport climbing and traditional routes, catering to a wide range of climbing styles. 6. Durable materials ensure long-lasting performance and reliability in demanding conditions. 7. Enhanced safety features help prevent accidental drops, providing peace of mind for climbers. The Grigri is ideal for sport climbers and indoor gym enthusiasts looking for a dependable belay device that enhances safety and ease of use. It performs best in environments where quick and controlled descents are essential, such as climbing gyms, crags, and outdoor routes. Suitable for climbers of all skill levels, this device excels in scenarios where precision and reliability are critical, making it a must-have for both beginners and seasoned climbers alike.
Price: $104.95
My favorite cam-assisted belay device.
Recommended by Nicholas Metz, Mountain Guide
My favorite cam-assisted belay device.
Nicholas Metz recommends the TAZ Grigri for belay & rappel devices. My favorite cam-assisted belay device.
Yes — Nicholas Metz recommends the Grigri by TAZ as their belay & rappel devices pick. My favorite cam-assisted belay device.
View Nicholas Metz's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
22 experts recommend the TAZ Grigri.
My go-to for sport climbing.
Recommended in Climbing and Mountaineering
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
The classic ABD (assisted breaking device). Multifunctional, and lives on most modern day climbers harness.
Recommended in Starter Rock Package
This is the most common tool I use in my guiding. I'm almost never without a GriGri.
Recommended in Guide Kit
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
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
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
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
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
“My favorite cam-assisted belay device.”
