Via Ferrata

Via Ferrata is the term applied to alpine scrambles using fixed ladders to surmount difficult obstacles and fixed cables for protection.

It is most important that a proper via ferrata clipping system, rather than a sling and a krab, is used to clip in to ladders and cables as, according to DMM, even a 60 cm fall-factor 1 fall on to an open Dyneema® sling can generate enough impact force (16.7 kN) at the anchor to pull a Wallnut 11 wire (12 kN) apart and this could be enough to break a karabiner in certain circumstances.

Click for more advice on Via Ferrata or for Via Ferrata Guidebooks.

Mammut - Tec Step Via Ferrata Element

Special Offer!!

£49.99

The Tec Step is a compact, lightweight Via Ferrata set - the design offers a more progressive braking action than a traditional rope and friction device. were £70.00 now only £49.99!!

 

Black Diamond - Iron Cruiser Via Ferrata Set

£69.99

A rip-stop via ferrata system featuring Black Diamond's very well designed Iron Cruiser carabiners with their hot-forged bodies and sleeve tops, and their locking mechanism which is actuated via an easy-to-grip sliding sleeve.

 

Black Diamond - Easy Rider Via Ferrata Set

£89.99

A rip-stop via ferrata system, as per the Iron Cruiser, but with captive eye self locking krabs that just need a squeeze to open them.

 

Petzl - Zyper Vertigo WL (with Wire Lock Krabs)

£65.99

A Petzl Zyper Y-shaped lanyard with two of Petzl's excellent auto-locking Vertigo Via Ferrata Wire Lock Karabiners included. An excellent piece of via ferrata equipment, neat and compact and made with a special shock absorbing rope. Larks Foot's onto just about any harness.

 

Petzl - Zyper Y (without Krabs)

£49.99

An excellent piece of via ferrata equipment, neat and compact and made with a special shock absorbing rope. Larks Foot's onto just about any harness. Karabiners are not included in this option.

 

Petzl - Scorpio Vertigo with Wire Lock Krabs

£76.99

An alternative to the Zyper system (which uses friction to absorb energy) is the Scorpio, which uses ripping of stitches to achieve the same ends.

 

Edelrid - Cable Lite 2.0

£79.99

A very light via ferrata system with elasticated tapes and very compact ripstop tape making a very neat system. Additional safety is provided by the robust Brenta carabiner with palm squeeze mechanism to prevent unintentional opening. The lightest and neatest of all the systems we have seen.

 

Mammut - Y-Form Via Ferrata Set

£74.99

Y-Lanyard Via Ferrata Set equipped with squeeze karabiners.

 

Black Diamond - Iron Cruiser Karabiner

£16.99

Black Diamond's first attempt at making a Via Ferrata krab and it can't be faulted. Fits nicely in the hand and operates beautifully.

 

Petzl - Vertigo Wire Lock Karabiner

£17.99

Petzl's excellent auto-locking Vertigo Via Ferrata Karabiner is very easy to use one handed and has its longevity extended by the addition of a wire loop to the gate mechanism.

 

Black Diamond - Crag Half Finger

£19.99

A lightweight, breathable and durable fingerless glove for belaying, aid climbing and via ferrata, that protects your hands without compromising dexterity.

 

Salewa - Via Ferrata Glove

£22.50

Tough fingerless glove with Aramid reinforced and padded palm and a stretch lycra and mesh back. Designed to stop you damaging your hands on cables and ladders whilst still retaining dexterity.