5 Best Ice Climbing Pulleys to Get in 2023

Ice climbing is a world of breathtaking beauty and frightening challenges. As the icy grip of winter transforms towering cliffs into frozen masterpieces, adventurers and thrill seekers alike prepare to confront these frosty giants. However, in the face of frigid winds and hazardous ledges, having the appropriate kit can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

The pulley is an often-overlooked but essential piece of equipment in an ice climber’s armory. These inconspicuous gadgets, while not as glamorous as ice axes or crampons, play an essential role in assuring safety and efficiency during vertical ascents.

This book delves into the realm of Ice climbing pulleys, examining the various possibilities on the market today. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or just starting out, selecting the appropriate pulley can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip.

We sifted through a myriad of options to present you with a carefully curated collection of the best ice climbing pulleys, each thoughtfully engineered to resist the rigors of icy terrain and assist you in reaching new heights.

What are the Best Ice Climbing Pulleys?

Here are my top picks of the best ice climbing pulleys available from the best brands to purchase.

Don’t want to get bothered by reading lots of explanations? Make up your mind by referring to the below comparison table.

Ice Climbing Pulley Comparison Table

PULLEY	PRICE	MATERIAL	WORKING LOAD	BREAKING STRENGTH	WARRANTY
Petzl Pro Traxion	$159.95	aluminum/stainless steel/nylon	6 kN	22 kN	3 years
Edelrid Spoc	$99.95	aluminum	5 kN	15 kN	limited
Petzl Micro Traxion	$129.95	aluminum	5 kN	15 kN	3 years
CAMP USA Janus Pro Large	$74.96	aluminum	12 kN	42 kN	3 years
CAMP USA Thethys Pro Small	$26.96	aluminum alloy/stainless steel	6 kN	25 kN	lifetime

1. Petzl Pro Traxion Pulley ($159.95)

• Material: aluminum, stainless steel, nylon
• Working Load: 6kN
• Breaking Strength: 22kN

The Petzl Pro Traxion Ice Climbing Pulley is a great piece of Ice climbing equipment that will improve your Ice climbing experience. Its outstanding features make it a must-have gear for any climber looking for dependability and efficiency in their vertical endeavors.

The Petzl Pro Traxion’s drop-resistant construction is one of its most notable features. This pulley is designed to resist the demands of ice climbing and has a sturdy build that gives you confidence in its endurance. Whether you’re traveling rugged terrain or dealing with inclement weather, the Pro Traxion is built to last.

The pulley’s performance is further increased by its large-diameter aluminum sheave, which has been precisely constructed to withstand the rigors of ice climbing. The use of sealed ball bearings enables smooth and fluid movement, eliminating friction and allowing for faster development. This function is revolutionary for climbers who require precision and dependability during their ascents.

The Pro Traxion does not disappoint in terms of safety features. The use of side plate locks guarantees that the pulley remains securely fastened while in use. This is an important consideration because it avoids unintentional dislodging or shifting, which could jeopardize the climber’s stability and progress. Climbers can concentrate on their ascent without worrying about equipment malfunction with the side plate locks in place.

The lower connecting point on the Petzl Pro Traxion is a remarkable innovation. Climbers can improve their hauling efficiency with this planned arrangement, providing a more direct and effective manner of transferring gear or ascending. This feature is especially useful in Ice climbing circumstances, where every movement counts, allowing climbers to conserve energy and maximize their efforts.

The toothed cam with a self-cleaning slot is at the heart of the Pro Traxion’s operation. This clever construction ensures that the pulley’s functioning is consistent even in cold and difficult conditions. The toothed cam effortlessly engages with the rope, offering a secure grip that reduces slippage. The self-cleaning slot is a clever feature that avoids junk collection and ensures that the cam runs smoothly during the climb.

2. Edelrid Spoc Pulley ($99.95)

• Material: Aluminum
• Rope Diameter: 7-11mm
• Breaking Strength: 15kN

The Edelrid Spoc Ice Climbing Pulley is an outstanding addition to the toolset of ice climbers and mountaineers, combining ultralight design with diverse usefulness. This pulley, designed to handle the challenges of difficult vertical terrains, exemplifies Edelrid’s commitment to innovation and efficiency.

The Edelrid Spoc’s high-quality aluminum ball-bearing mechanism is at its heart, an engineering marvel that propels its performance to new heights. This ball-bearing system has a 92% efficiency rate, guaranteeing that very little energy is lost during each draw. As a result, climbers can focus their efforts on conquering the frozen terrain with greater vigor and less exhaustion.

One distinguishing element of the Edelrid Spoc is its changeable backstop system, which provides climbers with exceptional adaptability. This mechanism can be cleverly fixed in an open position, thereby converting the pulley into a simple configuration. This adaption enables rapid and effective rigging, making it a good alternative for situations requiring simplicity and speed.

Edelrid’s inventiveness is on display with the inclusion of unique cams within the Spoc pulley. Even when the ropes are coated with mud or ice, these expertly crafted cams maintain an optimal grip. This type of invention dramatically improves climbers’ safety and control during their ascent, encouraging confidence in the face of perilous conditions.

The Edelrid Spoc Ice Climbing Pulley has been thoughtfully designed to suit oval or pear-shaped carabiners. This deliberate option improves the pulley’s compatibility, allowing it to work with a wide range of climbing setups. This versatility exemplifies Edelrid’s rigorous attention to detail and dedication to providing a smooth climbing experience.

3. Petzl Micro Traxion Pulley ($129.95)

• Material: Aluminum
• Rope Diameter: 8-11kN
• Working Load: 5kN
• Breaking Strength: 15kN

The Petzl Micro Traxion Ice Climbing Pulley is a must-have piece of equipment that will take your Ice climbing experiences to a whole new level of efficiency and dependability. This piece of equipment is more than just a pulley – it’s a partner who guarantees you keep control, ascend with confidence, and conquer difficult terrains. It’s crafted with precision and engineered to perfection.

The Micro Traxion’s integrated progress capture device is one of its most notable features. This wonderful feature serves as a safety net, protecting hard-earned gains. The Micro Traxion has your back whether you’re ascending, hauling, or traversing by locking onto the rope and stopping any unexpected downward movement. This not only protects your achievements but also adds a measure of assurance to those arduous snowy climbs.

The upper button of the Micro Traxion contains a design masterpiece. This seemingly basic device has a tremendous purpose: it allows you to lock the cam open. This is quite useful when you need to maintain continuous tension on the rope or perform repetitive activities without having to constantly modify the gadget. This feature highlights the Micro Traxion’s meticulous engineering, which caters to the complex demands of Ice climbing enthusiasts.

When navigating rugged ice-covered terrain, efficiency is critical, and the Micro Traxion shines in this area. This efficiency is powered by an aluminum sheave placed on sealed ball bearings. The pulley, with its high precision and low friction loss, ensures that every ounce of energy invested results in maximum advancement. The Micro Traxion’s seamless operation means you can save your strength for what really matters – conquering the climb – whether you’re hauling gear or ascending difficult pitches.

Ice climbing conditions can present unexpected challenges, and the Micro Traxion rises to the occasion. The painstakingly crafted rope clamp has an astonishing capacity to grip even on frozen or muddy ropes. This firm grasp ensures that your actions are controlled and your progress is steady, regardless of the circumstances. It demonstrates Petzl’s dedication to creating gear that can withstand the toughest of environments while still offering climbers a sense of dependability.

4. CAMP USA Janus Pro Pulley ($99.95)

• Material: Aluminum
• Rope Diameter: 16mm
• Working Load: 12kN
• Breaking Strength: 42kN

The CAMP USA Janus Pro Ice Climbing Pulley is versatile and durable equipment built with ice climbers and mountaineers in mind. Its functionality and characteristics appeal to a wide range of scenarios, making it a trustworthy partner in difficult situations.

The Janus Pro’s two-pulley arrangement is one of its most notable features. When employed for hauling chores, this design option improves its efficiency. The pulley system’s broad sheaves enable smoother rope movement, minimizing friction and making lifting huge loads feel more manageable. This is especially useful in situations where every bit of energy saved counts.

The main attachment hole on the Janus Pro demonstrates its versatility. It can accommodate up to three carabiners at the same time, making it a secure and versatile anchor point for a variety of connections. This design allows climbers to adjust their setups to the individual requirements of each climb, ensuring flexibility when designing complex rigging systems.

The addition of two auxiliary side holes and a larger lower becket hole expands the Janus Pro’s versatility. These additional attachment points allow for the creation of numerous hauling configurations, exhibiting the pulley’s versatility to diverse conditions and needs.

The Janus Pro’s use of ball bearings, which are sealed to survive intensive operation at high speeds, is an impressive feature. This technical choice speaks to the pulley’s durability and dependability. Whether you’re hauling or dealing with other stressful situations, the Janus Pro’s ball bearings assure smooth rotation and efficient functioning.

The Janus Pro’s compatibility with Prusik knots on either side is one of its most creative features. This capability is a game changer for climbers who rely on Prusik knots for backup and safety. The flexibility to place these knots on either side of the pulley offers another level of versatility and simplicity, allowing climbers to tailor their setups based on personal preferences and the unique needs of the climbing situation.

5. CAMP USA Tethys Pro ($35.95)

• Material: aluminum alloy, stainless steel
• Working Load: 6kN
• Breaking Strength: 25kN

With its great utility and smart engineering, the CAMP USA Tethys Pro Ice Climbing Pulley is an impressive piece of equipment designed to boost your Ice climbing experience. This pulley is precision-crafted and exhibits a good balance of lightweight construction and solid performance qualities.

The body of the pulley is made of a high-quality aluminum alloy that strikes a balance between durability and weight. This material choice ensures that the pulley is strong enough to endure the demands of ice climbing without becoming an unsightly load in your gear pack. A stainless steel axle complements the body’s sturdiness, further boosting the pulley’s overall durability and reliability.

The use of sealed ball bearings is what truly distinguishes the Tethys Pro. These bearings, designed to give an astounding 92% efficiency, allow for smooth and frictionless movement, resulting in more efficient rope handling and reduced energy expenditure throughout your climbs. This increased economy can make a significant difference, especially during complex and physically demanding ascents.

This pulley’s huge connection point, which can handle two carabiners, is a notable feature. This design feature demonstrates the pulley’s versatility and utility. With the ability to hold two carabiners, the pulley is simple to include in various setups, whether you’re constructing intricate haul systems or need versatility in your ice climbing gear arrangement.

The Tethys Pro Ice Climbing Pulley can take ropes up to 13 millimeters in diameter, making it suitable for a wide range of rope diameters. This adaptability enables you to use the pulley with various rope kinds, providing you flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Another notable characteristic of the Tethys Pro is the rotating side plates. These spinning plates not only make attaching the pulley to your rope simple, but they also ensure that the pulley naturally aligns itself with the direction of the rope, avoiding the chance of unusual angles that could hinder efficiency.

Furthermore, the pulley has a prusik-minding mechanism, which adds an extra degree of safety to your climbing adventures. This feature secures your prusik knot and keeps it from slamming against the pulley during intricate maneuvers or unexpected shifts.

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