Best Climbing Ascenders of 2026

"I've been using this ascender daily for a week on a construction site, and it's been extremely reliable and easy to use. Even with wet ropes and 20 lbs of gear, it performs flawlessly. I appreciate its versatility with both static and dynamic ropes. For anyone seeking dependable gear, this is a solid choice."

"I picked this up as a backup, and after using it on multiple canyon and cave trips, I'm impressed with its durability and lasting quality. It's a legit Petzl product that has never let me down over the years."

"I bought this for a friend, and he can't stop talking about its impressive performance. According to him, it's robust, efficient, and top-notch, exactly what you'd expect from Petzl."

"I've found this product to be of excellent quality and very easy to use. The description matched exactly what I received, and it's performed just as I expected."

"I use these for saddle hunting and they really improve the experience, making everything much smoother. They're lightweight and figuring them out was simple."

"This is great for my saddle setup. Even after a couple of years, it hasn't caused any damage to my Tethrd Saddle rope, which is a big plus for me."

"I've used the Ropeman 4 with both 8mm and 13mm ropes, and it delivers reliable performance in rain and snow. The device offers excellent adjustability compared to prusik knots, making it my top choice for saddle hunting and tree climbing."

"After a thorough inspection, I felt confident putting my safety in the hands of this sturdy ascender. It’s fairly priced compared to the competition, and I’d highly recommend it for anyone needing reliable gear!"

"I wanted a better way to adjust my lineman's belt, and this device has been a game changer for smooth ascents and descents. The instructions were clear, and I feel very secure using it. For an extra layer of safety, I pair it with a prusik knot above."

"I've started using this device for saddle hunting, and I’m genuinely impressed—no slippage and it stays completely secure under load. The rope management is super smooth both when taking up slack and descending. I do recommend switching to the correct setting to avoid any initial slippage, and I personally wrap my carabiners to avoid noise. Highly recommended!"

"I use this primarily for top rope soloing and can honestly say I've trusted my life to it multiple times without ever feeling unsafe. The quality and reliability are top-notch, and while the price is a bit high, I believe safety is worth it. I wouldn't risk using a cheaper alternative."

"Switching between lead and top rope settings on the Grigri+ has significantly improved my belaying experience. It's yet another excellent product in Petzl’s lineup, and I have absolutely no regrets about my purchase."

"I’m really impressed by the sturdy construction and the way it fits seamlessly into my saddle hunting setup. It just works flawlessly with my gear, making the whole experience safer and easier."

"This ascender has become a game changer for my tree saddle hunts. My husband had been eyeing it for years, and after finally buying it, he’s found it invaluable for hunting and climbing."

"I use this for solo top rope climbing, and it slides up the rope smoothly while locking instantly in the opposite direction. With both 8.9mm and 10mm ropes, it has performed perfectly. It's also handy for hauling gear or building simple mechanical systems. I’m really happy with its performance and reliability."

"I've been using the Jet Step with my RopeRunner Pro and it has completely exceeded my expectations. Unloading is effortless while always staying secure during climbs. This tool has more than paid for itself with its reliability."

"As a recreational tree climber, I really appreciate how the Jet Step glides up the rope smoothly and is super easy to attach or detach from the rope. Unlike some other foot ascenders I own, it never damages my rope and is much easier to use, especially when I'm climbing solo."

"This ascender has been a game changer for me and my rescue team. It's lightweight, doesn't harm the rope, and stays firmly in place without kicking out. The smooth operation makes climbing so much easier—I'm definitely planning to buy more for the whole crew."

"I mainly use this for saddle hunting, and I’ve found it to be of excellent quality. The integrated pulley really makes climbing the rope much easier."

"When using this ascender with my 8mm rope, it grabs securely but releases easily for smooth movement. The built-in pulley wheel is a real advantage, especially when I’m pulling on the tag end while ascending. Out of all the methods I’ve tried for tree climbing, this has been the simplest and most effective."

"For anyone looking for a hand ascender, the pulley feature is a game changer. It may be a bit heavier than traditional models, but the effortless 3:1 mechanical advantage makes up for it. Overall, I’m very satisfied with its performance."

"I'm 69 and needed to tackle repairs on my two-story house. After realizing I needed more security, I picked this up with a harness and rope. Great price, works just as I hoped, and the vulcanized plastic handle really gives me confidence when climbing. I’d absolutely buy it again."

"For my steep barn roof replacement, this tool was a lifesaver. It let me adjust my position quickly without tying knots, saving a ton of time. Seems heavy-duty and robust—not for climbing, but for roof work and fall protection, it performed amazingly."

"I bought this to pair with my left-handed Petzl ascender, and honestly, the quality is on par with Petzl. It holds my 200 pounds without issue. A couple minor design differences, but for the value, it’s excellent."

"Since picking up this ascender for my hunting trips, it's been a complete game-changer for climbing trees. I find it smooth, secure, and simple to adjust, even when I'm wearing gloves. The lightweight build gives me confidence in the dark or when shifting height. Honestly, it's a tool I wish I'd started using much sooner."

"I used this device while fixing some shingles on my roof, and paired it with a harness and carabiners. It was easy to maneuver around tricky spots and made me feel much safer during the repair. Thankfully, I didn't need to test its fall prevention, but it worked well for pulling myself up and provided peace of mind throughout the job."

"I bought two of these to climb my sailboat mast, and while they are very lightweight, I noticed the device bent after just one use and didn't operate smoothly on the descent. After checking it, I found some wear and a bent plate that affected safety. I would urge others to inspect thoroughly and be cautious before relying on it."

"I switched to this ascender after the Ropeman2 kept fraying my 10mm Tethrd lineman rope. This one is just as well-made and holds up perfectly on 10mm ropes, with no issues at all. Plus, it's a bit more affordable than other options. I highly recommend it if you're having trouble with rope wear on bigger diameters."

"This product works flawlessly as a replacement for the prusik on my tether. The grip is solid with no slipping on my 8mm rope. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a secure and easy-to-use ascender."

"I compared this to my RM1, and honestly, the quality is excellent—almost identical but with a wider rope diameter range. It also seems to have less lateral play in the pivots. Delivery was quick, and overall, I'm very satisfied with its performance and construction."