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Welcome to our Blog where you will find a large collection of informative articles and videos for new and experienced climbers, runners and outdoor enthusiasts.

We are particulary proud of our in-depth Product Reviews and associated Buying Guides. We have a series on The Basics, for those new to, or are interested in climbing. We also have a wealth of Product Information and Brand Profiles and much much more.

The Flash: Rock+Run Blog

Midtbø and Honnold collaborate in death defying style on the walls of the Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, check it out here.
  • 1 min read
Founded in 1996 with the moto, ‘Only climbers know what climbers need’, Red Chili took the 90’s climbing shoe world by storm. Over 20 years later and Red Chili are still one of the big players in the climbing shoe market.
  • 2 min read
Classically EB in features and profile, the Django’s third iteration has been refined into a very recognisable EB shoe that embodies the brand but, whilst it shares many similarities with the other shoes in the range, the Django is a unique beast. Find out why here.
  • 3 min read
This week’s video documents another slice of the action on Neil Gresham’s awesome Lake District trad route,Lexicon, with Dave Macleod on hand to give us some insight into the route and the process behind his third ascent.
  • 1 min read
This week’s video comes from Switzerland’s iconic Val Bavona region where Emil Abrahamsson takes a deep dive into Off the Wagon, arguably the most famous boulder problem in the world. Since his breakaway from Eric Karlsson’s YouTube channel, Emil has gone on to compete on the world stage for his native Sweden and has taken his outdoor game to new levels, documenting the entire journey through his own channel. This latest video is a testament to how far he’s come with the Wagon boulder being reserved for the most elite climbers in the world. 
  • 1 min read
Coming in as the stiffest (and most eye-catching) model in the EB range, the Strange has been engineered to perform tremendously on real rock with a fast lace-up system that further enhances its suitability for a day at the crag. But, aren’t laces, as the name suggests, a strange choice? Although they might take longer to tie than the Velcro alternative, the lace-up closure on the Strange provides unrivalled adjustability that a Velcro system simply can’t match.
  • 3 min read
Adam Ondra is back on our weekly video feature with more dancing and an onsight attempt of Solitary Souls 8c+, a route bolted by Nico Favresse and first ascented by Alfredo Webber at Le Piazzole, a smaller crag in Italy’s Arco region. The route is the obvious, 35 metre central line of the crag that looks as beautiful as it does intimidatingly long. 
  • 1 min read
A serious step up in climbing skincare, Climbskin’s Hand Cream comes packed full of superb, natural ingredients which combine to provide the handiest healing solution on the market.
  • 1 min read
Ever wondered what it takes to climb a grade that might be out of your physical reach? Well Ben from the Hard Is Easy YouTube channel makes another appearance on our weekly video feature as he looks to find the answer. In typical Hard Is Easy style, this answer had to come in the form of scientifically tangible results and that meant getting the best number crunchers in the business on board – Lattice.
  • 1 min read
Knowing which climbing rope to buy can have you tied up in knots with an abundance of choice and so many confusing factors that determine a ropes use and suitability for you. But, don’t worry, by the end of this article you should have all the information you need to make the correct climbing rope purchase.
  • 5 min read
This week’s video is a throwback to 2018 as we watch Seb Bouin projecting Move – an Adam Ondra test piece in Flatanger, Norway. With the news having broken this week that Seb Bouin has climbed his long-term Verdon Gorge project, DNA, we’re taking a look back at the route that originally defined Seb’s world class ability and marked his remarkable progression on the journey to climbing 9c. Eventually being his first at the 9b/+ grade (sadly not seen in the film), Seb clearly used this experience on Move as a platform to elevate his climbing to new levels.
  • 1 min read
All the harnesses we sell will be suitable for use both indoors and out but, in this guide, we’ll take a specific look at a harness’ suitability for the outdoor disciplines, sport and trad climbing. Below we’ll suggest our top 5 picks for your first outdoor climbing harness, we’re going to keep our recommendations sensible (no minimalist, skimpy string alpine climbing models) and set an £80 price cap, this is your first harness, so it needs to have some degree of multi-functionality and comfort for prolonged use.
  • 4 min read
This week’s video comes from the coastal climbing hotspot of Pembroke where Britain’s leading lady, Hazel Findlay, takes on Muy Caliente! – a route originally climbed by Tim Emmett at E10 6c with the consensus having settled at a scary E9 6c. Climbing the route in June 2021, Hazel has continued this incredible form by becoming the second British woman to climb 9a with her ascent of Esclatamasters in Spain earlier this year (footage here). Both ascents place Hazel firmly at the pinnacle of Britain’s climbing scene, cementing her position as the Britain’s leading lady.
  • 1 min read
What do you get if you mix Britain’s best sport climber and the dirty limestone caves that shaped the leading climber of our generation? You guessed it folks, someone has finally visited Adam Ondra’s home crags at Moravski Kras. Having been on a journey of climbing discovery that has seen him open new lines and repeat classics, Will Bosi has taken a break from the competition climbing scene to invest even more time in his outdoor projects. In this video he chats to Niall Grimes about his recent and very successful trip to the Czech Republic and the inspiration behind it. 
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This week’s video hit comes from the stunning Switzerland where Jim Pope and Aidan Roberts are taking on Ticino’s finest lines.
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With quintessentially Irish weather, Scarpa’s Scotsman is time pressured to put up his new line. You heard that right folks, even the professionals get put off by rain.
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Sensitive and efficient performance in a versatile, comfortable package – the latest iteration of EB’s famous Guardian is an impressive addition to a range of shoes that already pack a serious punch. The previous version of the Guardian was an iconic model for EB and was certainly the most common EB shoe seen in my local gyms, so, the 3rd generation has big boots to fill. Can they live up to the name?

  • 3 min read
With Dave Macleod having broken the news on Instagram that he’s repeated Neil Gresham’s latest E11 test piece, Lexicon, we thought it only right that this week’s video pays tribute to him and his latest ascent. So, whilst we wait for any video footage of the climb, we look back to Dave’s first conquest at the grade, Rhapsody, a ground-breaking ascent for the UK trad climbing scene being the first E11 ever climbed. Found on Dumbarton Rock in Scotland, Rhapsody took Dave over two years of work to eventually unlock and finally went down in 2006, check it out at the bottom of the page.
  • 1 min read
The Scarpa Spin Ultra was a real blessing on this type of terrain and I ended up wearing them from Keld right through to the finish at Robin Hood’s Bay (some 100miles). I’m lucky in that I don’t seem to have to break in new shoes as my feet are probably hardened from the years of rock climbing and mountaineering, that being said I probably wouldn’t recommend running 100 miles in new shoes straight form the box but for me the Spin Ultra’s were perfect.
  • 2 min read
Ever wondered how much abuse a rope can take before it reaches its limit and breaks? Are you feeling your rope and noticing soft, fuzzy spots? Well fear not because Ben from Hard Is Easy is on hand to put those soft spots to the ultimate test. With the team over at Mammut's rope testing department, Ben takes a look at the testing process and the effects simple climbing falls have on a rope. Having brought along his battered, soft old rope, the Mammut team give it a scientific send off, measuring its limit with their special equipment. The process is fascinating to watch and is jam packed full of scientific insight and information. An educational one this week, remember to check your ropes and enjoy the sun!
  • 1 min read
This week’s video is a throwback to 2015’s Kendal Mountain Festival Best Climbing film, Operation Moffat, a colourful documentary about the life of Britain’s first female mountain guide, Gwen Moffat. Born in 1924, Gwen joined the army after the second world war as a driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service but, having been introduced to climbing by a friend in the forces, she soon deserted to pursue an exciting life in the wilderness. Ever the pioneer, Gwen was known for climbing barefoot, swimming in freezing water and even wearing shorts on winter mountaineering trips!
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With summer and the outdoor climbing season fast approaching, you might be planning to make your debut on real rock, taking the skills you’ve learnt at the gym to your local crags or boulders. In this mini-series we’ll be looking at some of the kit you’ll need to get started climbing outside. First up is sport climbing quickdraws, the things you’ll be relying on to protect you in the case of a fall at a pre-bolted crag or wall. Below we’ll suggest our top 5 picks (in no particular order) for your first set of sport climbing quickdraws, taking price and quality into account. 
  • 3 min read
This week’s video is a little bit different, coming to you from the incredible Cairngorm National Park, this special film follows Scottish adventurers Calum Maclean and Jenny Graham (who holds the world record for cycling around the world) as they attempt an end-to-end journey of Britain's longest linear walk without encountering a road. The route in question was first created in 2018 by the map makers at the Ordnance Survey and, of course, the line cuts across the rugged and spectacularly remote landscape of Scotland. Traversing the land without deviance from the line, the route covers 78.55 km (44 miles) from the A9 to the A939 with a total ascent of 5706 metres.
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This week’s video is an awesome bouldering film from Mellow, taped in the incredible Little Cottonwood Canyon, just outside Salt Lake City, Utah. Following Zach Galla, Sean Faulkner, and Toinon Beigne round the canyon, this week’s psych inducing video hit explores some of the area’s proudest lines whilst putting on record some of the trio’s inspiring first ascents. Courtesy of Sohi Studios, Confluence is a wonderful combination of crisp aesthetics and an homage to the 90’s skate videos that iconised the fish eyed, changing perspective of raw, left field action. Through the professional lens, Little Cottonwood steals the show with beautiful, striking granite lines that are inspiring enough to whet any boulderer’s appetite – mixing Magic Wood with America’s vast scale and wilderness, LCC has it all.
  • 1 min read