The Flash: Rock+Run Blog

From easy-going, summer trails to soggy coastal walk ins, the Mission Leather Lows from Black Diamond have been a revelation. Like a best hits album, the Mission Leather Lows combine a lot of the essential underfoot features of their superb approach shoe range with the best bits of a sturdier leather walking boot to produce the ultimate approaching machine. 

Faster, lighter, brighter, the Guide 30 is the quintessential Deuter pack within the new SS23 range boasting a range of subtle and some not so subtle improvements that put the new packs up there as the very best on the market. Perfectly sized for a day out in the UK hills, the Guide 30 sits at the fulcrum of the Guide range and will doubtless be one of the most popular options for UK mountaineers but, is it worth your money?

The Cuesta from Blue Ice is a sleek, modern rock climbing harness from the Chamonix-based French brand. While Blue Ice might be known more for their alpine gear, the Cuesta is very much a rock climbing harness – though the version that has adjustable leg loops would no doubt be at home in any mountain environment. I’ve been easing my way into the early season for rock climbing here in the south of the UK with the Cuesta in tow (along with gloves, hat and many layers!). 

Deuter have been making some of the best packs on the market for over 100 years, and manage to keep surprising us with new ideas and designs of their packs. This season is no different with the release of updated versions of some much loved packs.

Organic pads have long been at the pinnacle of the bouldering mat market, becoming the premium go-to for keen boulderers everywhere with unique patchwork patterns and the unbeatable quality that can only come from a handmade product. But, are Organic pads still the best in the business? I've been test driving a full Organic pad set up with a Full Pad, Simple Pad, Slider Pad and the Muffin Protector and Load Flap accessories to find out just how good they really are.

A detailed review of the Sea to Summit Women’s Flame FmIII Sleeping System, incorporating the Flame FmIII Down Sleeping Bag, Ether Light XT Insulated Mat and Aeros™ pillow.

Having been in the Evolv line-up for many years now, the Shaman could be viewed alongside other stone cold classics such as the La Sportiva Miura or the Boreal Joker. The Shaman originally entered the range way back when as Chris Sharma’s signature model, and there was a time when nearly everyone had a pair. Over time the design has changed (evolved?) slightly, but the shoe itself never lost the broad appeal and features that made it popular in the first place.

Super soft sensitivity - the all new Red Chili Sensor does exactly what it says on the tin with an unrivalled set of supple skills that dominate indoor terrain. But beware, this is no one trick pony.

The Siurana rope is a keenly priced rope that I’ve been testing for the last few months. I’ve used it mainly sport climbing in the UK, with the occasional trad outing and a bit of top roping and indoor training thrown in. In a nutshell, the Siurana is a medium-diameter sport climbing rope that is suited to a wide variety of climbs. It clocks in at 9.6mm diameter, and comes in lengths of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 80 metres – a good range with something for everyone.

Sustainable excellence in a comfortable, breathable package - the Red Chili Ventic Air Lace is without a doubt the nicest climbing shoe experience I’ve ever had.

Like much of the competition, Red Chili have opted to make their latest all-rounder shoe with a knitted upper. Plucked from the big branded world of trainers, these softer knit fabrics have become synonymous with the comfy shoe in any brand’s line up. Promising a more forgiving fit on top of the foot and offering more breathability than the classic climbing shoe uppers, the benefits of this new material’s climbing shoe infiltration are clear. But, how will it affect performance and how will it stand up to the rigours of regular climbing? More on this below.

In an age where climbing styles and disciplines are growing further apart, that old moniker of the ‘all-rounder’ is becoming increasingly obsolete, pushing climbing shoe manufacturers to produce more specialist models designed for a particular purpose. Up steps the Mantra, quite possibly the most extreme version of this refinement we’ve ever seen. Is this a good thing? Keep reading to find out.

Here in the UK we share a lot with the Americans. Our taste in music, fashion and culture, the food we eat and even some of their climbing brands. The latest of which is Flashed, a bouldering pad company some might recognise having been on the UK climbing scene over 10 years ago. Now they’re back for another bite of the cherry with two pads that attack the premium end of the bouldering mat market but promise robust, unrivalled quality. A neat addition or more American trash? Read on to find out.