PETZL Grigri Plus Belay Device - AW19

Product Information

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 Material(s): aluminum side plates, stainless steel friction plate and wear plate, reinforced nylon handle

Will it make our lives 1.5 times better in the meantime? For the right buyer maybe, but for most, probably not. 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.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 Petzl GRIGRI is an assisted braking belay device that's durable, compact and light, ideal for indoor wall climbing and sport climbing. As a sidenote, the GriGri + seems like a real win for gyms that like to keep GriGri’s pre-rigged at each rope as many of the improvements are based on wear and safety.

Though this guide has a wealth of information on GriGris, it is not a comprehensive instruction manual. Using a GriGri safely requires in-person instruction from a qualified source and lots of hands-on practice. While 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. 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 In high-wear areas, Petzl added beefy stainless-steel plates. Where the GriGri 2 would develop grooves after extended use, the GriGri + is much more resistant to wear.GriGri Plus – Added an anti-panic function, top-rope/lead switch, plus a steel plate to reduce wear The first is the most important to avoid and the other two are more annoyances that can be resolved: – 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. 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. Whenever possible, keep your partner within sight. If this isn’t possible, maintain communication via verbal commands. A belayer must make many split-second decisions when a climber falls to mitigate risk.

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 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 Belay device with assisted braking, compatible with a broad range of single rope diameters, for both gym and crag:

The GriGri 2 is far from the lightest device on the market (it’s over 100 grams heavier than devices like the Mega Jul). The Plus adds another 30 grams, which is around the weight of a wiregate carabiner. Belaying is all about attention. While using a GriGri, every climber holds the life of their partner in their hands. This device has just one place for installing rope and it can't be used in climbing with half rope. Climbers who don’t feel like the extra features of the GriGri + are worth the extra weight and bulk (and price)

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. The GriGri slides down the side of the carabiner and the carabiner becomes cross-loaded. When cross-loaded you are using the weakest strength points of the carabiner and are at most risk of the biner failing This guy gets a lot of love and a lot of hate, but in reality it’s just about your experience level with assisted brake belay devices, specifically GRIGRIs. So here’s both perspectives on the unique (and rad) elements to the GRIGRI+:

The best Petzl GriGri to buy?

We welcome innovation in the world of belay devices, but the GriGri + doesn’t bring significant benefits for most climbers.