ISPO Award Winner 2024: Edelrid Pinch belay device

"When we set out to develop a new product, we always ask ourselves the question about what different problems we can solve at the same time", says Philippe Westenberger, Edelrid’s Head of Product, when telling the story behind the Edelrid Pinch. More safety, ease of use, and improved braking rope control - these are some key benefits of the new Edelrid belay device, and most definitely some user problems that were tackled.

One of the standout features of the device is its low, close-to-the-body position when hooking it in the central ring of the harness. This mechanism eliminates the risk of cross-loading or the need for fixed placement when releasing the rope. The unique design of the Pinch also allows climbers to maintain a secure grip on the brake rope with all four fingers, providing unprecedented control and confidence during descent. The design of the Pinch extends the reach, enabling belayers to effortlessly give out 20-30 cm more rope at once, enhancing efficiency on the wall. Still, the Pinch can also be attached the conventional way with a carabiner, which is beneficial in some scenarios, for example during multi-pitch climbing. Steel inserts enhance the life span of the device and an integrated RFID chip simplifies the documentation of the application.

Navigating ropes during lowering and abseiling is made smoother with the linear rope running through the frontal steel braking grooves, reducing the risk of tangles and snags. Due to the lever transmission ratio climbers can perfectly fine tune their descending speed, particularly beneficial when working with thin or soft ropes. The ergonomic lever comes with rubber-coated grip inserts for intuitive handling with minimal effort. 

Westenberger describes another topic during development: „There is this debate around the anti-panic function in belay devices: Some like it, some don’t. With the Pinch, you can have both.“ The anti-panic function adds an extra layer of safety, catering to climbers of all skill levels, while the integrated second braking tier offers controlled lowering for lighter individuals or high-friction systems. Not every climber is a fan of anti-panic, so Edelrid offers a way of customization and provides the option to permanently deactivate the anti-panic function, allowing for tailored control and preferences.

Moreover, its versatile design enables attachment to belay stations in four different directions, providing unparalleled flexibility for multi-pitch climbs. This way, the Pinch offers a 90-degree turn at the belay station. 

Due to its almost symmetrical design, the Pinch can also be operated by left- and right-handed people. Furthermore, the device is double-certified and can be used for rope access and route setting. 

"The Pinch is simply the most versatile device out there now and can be handled more efficiently than any other", Philippe Westenberger sums up the benefits of the Edelrid latest belay device innovation.

• Direct harness connection eliminates cross-loading risk
• Enables to give out more rope at once
• Less tangling and better control of soft and thin ropes
• Anti-panic function that can be de-activated
• Versatile application in sport, multi-pitch climbing, and route setting