PETZL Grigri Plus Belay Device - AW19

Product Information

What’s more, if I did want to keep a hand on the device, the nub meant that my thumb had to stay pressed on the top, either on the cam or on top of the nub itself. Sometimes, with the old GRIGRIs, the rope could escape the device when the cam was pulled up too high. Now, there’s a small stopper such that no matter how hard your partner whipped, that rope is not coming out of your belay device. Wahoo! It's a beefed up Grigri, which looks to have been designed with adventure parks, outdoor centres and places where the standard Grigri takes a hammering, in mind! This is really helpful for skinny ropes and/or where the climber is heavier than the belayer. In those situations, it can be hard to get control when lowering. This is really helpful when using the first-generation GriGri with modern thin ropes, or with a GriGri Plus where lowering control is finer. Still great with the 2019 and 2 versions.

Belay device with assisted braking, compatible with a broad range of single rope diameters, for both gym and crag: Each generation of the Grigri has a lower limit for the rope diameter for which the cam will engage; the manufacturer recommends the Grigri 2 to be used only with 8.9 to 11 mm diameter ropes. This expanded range will allow for a safer belay while using popular skinny ropes such as the 8.5mm Beal Opera, 8.7mm Mammut Serenity, 8.9mm Edelrid Swift, 9.0mm Sterling Fusion Nano, 9.1mm Blue Water Icon, and 9.2mm Petzl Volta. The carabiner flips upside down. Most carabiners are designed for the larger end to be smooth and easy for the belay device or rope to move around on. The thin end is normally “cut out” or an I-beam construction to save weight, and rope doesn’t handle as well on this end. With the GriGri you can generally use either side – but normally one is preferred over the other Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

How the GriGri + Performed in Our Testing

The colors of this device are pretty spicy as well, and are in a totally different category from the previous GRIGRIs (and the new one as well). This new set of colors will certainly help your gear stand out at the crag. The release of the Petzl Grigri in 1991 marked a major step in the evolution of belay devices: Here was a device that assisted significantly in catching a fall, and also allowed a belayer to hold and lower his partner with little effort. Belay slaves rejoiced, but incorrect use of this newfangled device began to result in accidents. Petzl has made an effort to educate users, but the bad habits of devotees are difficult to break, and with the release of the Grigri 2 in 2011, it’s more important than ever to learn (and teach) proper techniques for this ubiquitous device.

Petzl GriGri + is best if you want extra safety features: anti-panic handle stop and the ability to change between top rope and lead belay mode. Plus there is a steel insert to increase durability and longevity, particularly helpful if you consistently climb in sandy areas, or with dirty ropes. This is the category in which the GriGri + excelled, with a nearly perfect score. All the devices we tested are certified and safe if used properly, but the GriGri + goes above and beyond to ensure safety. It provides easy access for new belayers, and it makes every effort to prevent malfunction or misuse. Best for climbers looking for extra safety via the anti-panic handle and toggle switch for different belay modes The rotating internal cam makes the GriGri an “assisted braking” device; (photo/Alexandru Nika) What Is a GriGri? The other form of bloat is the obvious one: the price. All the features of the GriGri + come at a roughly 1.5x price increase which is hard to stomach.The GriGri + has replaced the curved tab with a blunt nub at the near end of the face-plate. The nub isn’t curved, which means that the device can’t rest freely on the index finger — it must be held in place with the thumb. The GriGri + adds sensitivity and a more forgiving range on the lever, which makes controlling speed easier. Most climbers get used to the GriGri 2’s mechanism without too much trouble, but for new belayers (are you seeing a pattern here?) the Plus smooths the learning curve. Petzl’s rope compatibility comparison chart What We Don’t Like The Case of the Missing Tab

The GriGri 2 (along with cheaper tube-style devices like the ATC-XP) still wins in that department. How the GriGri + Performed in Our Testing Side-by-side of the cams and face-plates of the GriGri + (top) and GriGri 2 (bottom), including the dreaded nub. When setting up your belay device and climbing system, it is crucial to focus and move carefully. Make sure the GriGri attaches to the rope according to the diagram on the side of the device. mechanical advantage of the handled camming mechanism helps control rope feed on small-diameter ropes and requires less effort on the handle for large-diameter ropes But from where we stand, the GriGri 2 does the job better and costs less. As a result, it’s hard to recommend the Plus from a value perspective. The Petzl GRIGRI is an assisted braking belay device that's durable, compact and light, ideal for indoor wall climbing and sport climbing.

Best Uses

My inner mathematician got SO excited when Petzl suggested that I do (as a follow-up to my GRIGRI 2 review) a comparison review of the GRIGRI+ and the new GRIGRI (the third one). Comparison = excel chart. And I excel at excel. Also, thanks Petzl for coming through on my deep down wish that I couldn’t fit in A Climber’s Christmas II. Designed ideally for experienced sport climbers and versatile enough to be used on all single climbing ropes, the Petzl GRIGRI is a performance belay device that w orks equally as well for lead climbing as it does for top roping. Now redesigned and coming in at a full 10g lighter than the GRIGRI 2 (2018), it can be used on all single dynamic 8.5 to 11mm ropes, but will perform optimally with 8.9 to 10.5mm diameter climbing ropes. The GriGri 2 is great in most conditions. The GriGri 2 allows climbers to skip the extra bells and whistles that add weight, bulk, and manufacturing dollars to the GriGri +. The GriGri + had a mediocre score in this category. It will still work everywhere a GriGri 2 works, and that includes multi-pitch climbs. But in too many cases, it’s not the device we would reach for. The belayer’s end of the rope, known as the brake rope or dead rope, isn’t easily held in the specific place it’s meant to be at the side when belaying or rappelling with a GriGri. More important for simul-climbing and rope soloing

If your belay fundamentals are strong enough that you’re investing in an assisted-braking device, you should know enough to stay safe with a GriGri 2. And unless you’re working with new climbers on a day-to-day basis, the hassle and weight are a high price to pay for the extra safety and durability. Hand motions are the same as with classic belay systems: both hands on the rope. A fall is stopped by tightening the hand on the free end of the ropeWhile the GriGri was among the first assisted braking belay devices on the climbing market, it now competes with a host of other devices made by various brands. To be clear, Petzl manufactures the only true GriGri — and that’s the product we are focusing on in this guide. This is the one design feature we felt that Petzl botched. The GriGri 2 has a large curved tab down the length of the face-plate, which allows the device to rest on the index finger of the belayer’s right hand. GriGri Plus – Added an anti-panic function, top-rope/lead switch, plus a steel plate to reduce wear The Petzl GRIGRI + (plus) is a versatile and durable, assisted breaking belay device suitable for all levels of climber, and for use with all single climbing ropes.