Best Belay Device Reviews 2020

The price of a belay device is determined by several factors including construction material and functional features such as braking mechanisms and applications. For instance, a belay device that can be used for rappelling and has an assisted braking system will cost more than a basic belay tool without a braking mechanism.

Currently, the price of a quality belay device starts at around $10 and it can go close to $100 if the belay device comes with an internal pivot camming mechanism. This doesn’t mean you won’t come across cheap belay devices in the market, but you need to be careful as such devices are often made of poor quality materials and are susceptible to failure. This is why we haven’t included them in our review.

When it comes to rock climbing, you can’t gamble with your safety. Besides having a trusted and experienced belayer, you need reliable equipment. This is because any mistakes can be costly. So, you need to be keen on the features of a belay device before you buy it.

Here is what you need to look for in a delay device:

• Type - Is it active assisted braking, auto-block tube, tube style or figure-8 style
• Compatibility - Recommended rope diameter
• Rope type - Recommended rope type e.g. Single or double rope
• Size - Dimensions and weight
• Construction materials - Materials used in its manufacture e.g. Aluminum

Before buying any belay device, check out its qualities against these features and make sure it meets your needs.

The best brands in the market use materials such as aluminum and stainless steel for the construction of belay devices. These materials are strong and produce sturdy designs. Usually, belay devices are small and come in different designs such as tube style, auto-block tube, assisted braking type and figure 8 style.

Tube style belay devices are common and come with two slots that allow the use of both single and double ropes of varied diameters. These devices don’t come with a braking mechanism but rely on the belayer to apply friction manually on the rope. Also, auto-block tube belay devices are essentially similar to their tube style counterparts. The only difference is that they have a hole used to attach the device to an anchoring point besides the belayer’s body harness. This gives the rope added friction and thus the effort a belayer uses to arrest a fall is greatly reduced.

On the other hand, some of the active assisted braking belay devices have internal pivoting systems that apply friction on the rope in the event of a fall while others rely on their design to initiate a braking action. For instance, in some designs, the braking action is activated by applying tension on the free side of the rope and pulling the handle of the belay device simultaneously. These types of belay devices tend to operate on single ropes and have a smaller rope diameter range.

Now, focusing on the figure 8 style belay devices, it’s important to note that these devices are specially built for rescue operations. They can come with a varied number of large slots and others even have ears. However, like the tube style belay devices, they don’t have an automated braking mechanism. The good news is they can be used with a wide range of single and double style ropes. So, as you shop for a belay device, look for one that can work with your rope of choice.

When choosing a belay device, go for one that is sturdy, strong and reliable as it would be disastrous to work with a flimsy device. Most of the belay devices recommended for beginners are easy to install and operate. They may come with installation illustrations imprinted on their surfaces.

Also, it’s common for leading brands to include easy to follow user manuals in their packaging. This helps you familiarize yourself with the belay device. Besides buying a quality belay device, you’ll need to be disciplined to adhere to the best belaying practices at all times in order to safeguard the lives of climbers. This will help you enjoy rock climbing more and avoid potentially fatal accidents.