Is Your Climbing Kit Still Safe?
Spring Gear Refresh
As the days get longer and crags dry out, climbers across the New River Gorge are getting psyched for the season. But before you grab your rope and rack and race out the door, it’s worth asking: Is your gear still safe?
Spring is the perfect time for a gear refresh — inspecting, cleaning, and possibly retiring those well-loved items that have seen one too many seasons. Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned dirtbag, this habit is one of the simplest and most important ways to stay safe out there.
🔍 What Should You Inspect?
Here’s a quick checklist for your spring gear inspection:
🪢 Ropes & Cordage (Dynamic & Static)
Frayed sheath or core shots
Flat spots or inconsistent diameter
Soft, mushy zones (may indicate core damage)
Discoloration or chemical exposure
Fuzzy ends or fraying at knots
Age of the rope (check the tag inside the rope end if possible)
🧵 Harnesses
Abrasion on tie-in points and belay loops
Fraying or exposed core fibers
Stitching that’s worn or unraveling
Buckle function (make sure they cinch smoothly and stay secure)
Age (especially if it's seen heavy use)
🖐 Slings, Runners, Webbing, Daisy Chains
UV damage (fading or stiffness)
Cuts or nicks, especially around bar tacks
Age — slings don't last forever, even if they "look fine"
⚙️ Hardware (Carabiners, Belay Devices, Cams, Nuts)
Grooves or sharp edges (especially on belay devices or carabiners used for rappelling)
Bent gates or springs that don’t snap shut cleanly
Corrosion or pitting
Excessive wear on cam lobes, trigger wires, or axle points
🧽 Helmets
Cracks or dents in the shell
Frayed or stretched straps
Age — especially if it’s had a hard knock or was dropped
📅 How Long Does Gear Last?
While every piece of gear has a different life expectancy, manufacturer recommendations are the best place to start. Most companies offer guidance based on usage, wear, and environmental exposure — not just age. Here’s where to check:
Petzl: petzl.com/sport/faq
Black Diamond: blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product-care
Mammut: mammut.com/us/en/gear-care
Misty Mountain: mistymountain.com → Reach out directly for longevity questions
Wild Country: wildcountry.com/en-us/product-care
Sterling Rope: sterlingrope.com/resources
As a rule of thumb:
Ropes: Retire after 1–3 years of frequent use, or 5–10 years of occasional use — sooner if damaged.
Harnesses & Slings: Often rated for 3–5 years of use.
Helmets: Usually 10 years max from manufacturing date, shorter with regular impact or sun exposure.
Carabiners & Hardware: Can last a long time, but sharp edges or dropped-on-rock damage = retirement.
👋 Need a Second Opinion?
At Water Stone Outdoors, we get it — it’s hard to say goodbye to that old gear you’ve trusted on so many climbs. But safety comes first. Bring your kit by the shop and our staff can help with a second opinion. We’ll inspect gear with you, offer manufacturer guidelines, and help you decide what’s still good to go — and what needs replacing.
Your gear is kinda like your old dog that you’ve had for many years. Your bonds are deep but they reach a point where you have to put them down…..
How does your old gear make you feel? If you have doubts or trust issues from past experiences it’s time to break up…..
The climbing industry makes incredibly high quality equipment. But, even great gear wears out. If you have climbed a lot with it then you’ve probably gotten your money’s worth out of it. Retire it.
🧗♂️ Retired Gear = Shop Art + Sock Monkey Playground
If you’ve got gear that’s ready for retirement, don’t toss it! Bring it to Water Stone. We’re always collecting retired ropes, harnesses, cams, and other colorful remnants of your climbing history to help us decorate the shop — and fuel the after-hours adventures of our infamous sock monkeys.
Legend has it, after closing time, our little crew of fuzzy climbers gets pretty rowdy on the retail walls. But they’re in desperate need of more ropes and harnesses to keep their projects going. 🐒🎒
So if you’ve got gear with sentimental value but no business on a belay, give it a second life by donating it to the shop. Who knows — your old lead line might become the next feature in our window display (or monkey rappel route) and you can get one of our birthday month deals! See below for more details.
Plus, get a discount on your next piece of gear. Bring in a harness, rope or other webbing-based soft good, and get $10 toward a rope, $5 off a harness, or $5 off a set of 3+ fresh dogbones.
