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Best Climbing Pulleys for Outdoor Rigging

Curated from 753 real Reddit comments and discussions across 26 products.

Refreshed on: April 27, 2025

Snoop’s Take

Climbing pulleys live or die by one thing: smooth, reliable rotation under load. Redditors rave about CE/UIAA-certified, ball-bearing gems from established brands that stay lightweight, thread ropes in seconds, and shrug off heavy hauling. Winners blend aerospace aluminum toughness with swing-cheek or split-plate ease. Losers? Budget knock-offs that bind, creak, or send pitons flying in the name of “savings,” plus scary cable-management hassles and inconsistent build quality. Red flags include random QC failures—especially from GM CLIMBING clones—and pulleys that bind or gouge your rope. If your rig is serious, skip the price-shoppers and opt for the pulleys that earned the community’s grudging respect.

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Top Considerations Before Purchasing

Certifications Matter - Only CE/UIAA-rated pulleys guarantee tested breaking strength under real loads.
Smooth Bearings Win - Ball-bearing sheaves deliver friction-free turns and preserve rope life.
Plate Design Counts - Swing-cheek or split plates let you rig ropes fast and clean.
Trustworthy Brands Only - Budget knock-offs often bind or fail—stick to proven manufacturers.

All Products that we Rated

Our Winner
Tending Hitches in Climbing SystemsRescue & Zipline Operations
JOTOUCH Climbing Pulley - 30KN Three Holes Ball Bearing
8.6
JOTOUCH Climbing Pulley - 30KN Three Holes Ball Bearing

Buy on Amazon at $30

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“DIY pulleys work great”➕
U
“I probably spent $75 in materials, definitely worth it over getting a $2500 trainer haha”➕
U
“I don’t feel that backing off completely at any sign of pain is helpful and there’s a nuance to distinguish “good” vs “b...”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
10.0
Popularity
10.0
Feautures
7.9
✅ Recommended
Our Runner Up
Rescue & Zipline OperationsTending Hitches in Climbing SystemsPrusik Minding & Progress Capture
EMMRAGNO 30KN Climbing Single Pulley
7.6
EMMRAGNO 30KN Climbing Single Pulley

Buy on Amazon at $31

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“Pulleys make a huge difference. I replaced all the plastic ones on my titan lat pull down with aluminum and nylon pulley...”➕
U
“Idler pulley making a noise I think and the alternator is chirping?”➕
U
“Eli5: how do pulleys make it possible to lift things with less effort? I have seen it in action but it feels like witchc...”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
6.9
Popularity
6.1
Feautures
8.4
✅ Recommended

Other Products the Community Recommends

Prusik Minding & Progress CaptureRescue & Zipline OperationsTending Hitches in Climbing Systems
Notch CE Micro Pulley Black (50019B)
7.6
Notch CE Micro Pulley Black (50019B)

Buy on Amazon at $34

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“its objectivly better then Ajazz aj199, its lighter, build quality is better, it comes with much better skates, the mous...”➕
U
“Still works great, i put dot skates on them and drilled holes, its 39gram now.”➕
U
“Well so far I have been playing with the iPhone 16e for a couple of days now and have to say it is actually cool for all...”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
8.3
Popularity
9.6
Feautures
6.6
✅ Recommended
Rescue & Zipline OperationsMechanical Advantage Hauling
Fusion Climb Strux Aluminum Rescue Pulley
7.5
Fusion Climb Strux Aluminum Rescue Pulley

Buy on Amazon at $22

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“I personally love having a pulley system on rigs. It makes it so much easier”➕
U
“Pulley is awesome. Single as good as double pulley especially for silks (especially given the height loss with a double...”➕
U
“Realistically if you exceed the Sterling's 15kN load then you've got bigger problems going on, but of course it doesn't ...”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
9.3
Popularity
9.3
Feautures
5.9
✅ Recommended

Products You Will Return...

PETZL P03A Mobile Versatile Ultra-Compact Pulley
1.9
PETZL P03A Mobile Versatile Ultra-Compact Pulley

Buy on Amazon at $29

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“Petzel harnesses are shit.”➕
U
“Petzl astro gear loops So as petzl have the strange belief that smaller people don't need as many gear loops and put 3 ...”➕
U
“Petzl has a cool auto locking pulley that's pretty decent but petzl is pricey.”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
0.0
Popularity
0.0
Feautures
3.4
❌ Not Recommended
Mechanical Advantage Hauling
Paliston 30kN Climbing Pulley
2.4
Paliston 30kN Climbing Pulley

Buy on Amazon at $22

Read Our Full Review

Reddit Feedback
U
“Bearings on the pulley are shot, yep.”➕
U
“Since these pulleys don't have bearings inside, how do I keep them rolling smoothly and without friction?”➕
U
“By installing them how they’re engineered to be installed. Don’t try to outthink shimano engineers”➕
Snoop Score Breakdown
Sentiment
0.0
Popularity
0.0
Feautures
3.8
❌ Not Recommended

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
JOTOUCH Climbing Pulley - 30KN Three Holes Ball BearingJOTOUCH Climbing Pulley - 30KN Three Holes Ball Bearing$30
8.6
DetailsBuy
EMMRAGNO 30KN Climbing Single PulleyEMMRAGNO 30KN Climbing Single Pulley$31
7.6
DetailsBuy
Notch CE Micro Pulley Black (50019B)Notch CE Micro Pulley Black (50019B)$34
7.6
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Strux Aluminum Rescue PulleyFusion Climb Strux Aluminum Rescue Pulley$22
7.5
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Micro Aluminum Side Swing PulleyFusion Climb Micro Aluminum Side Swing Pulley$13
7.5
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING 40kN Micro Double PulleyGM CLIMBING 40kN Micro Double Pulley$78
7.3
DetailsBuy
Azarxis 20 kN Micro Side Swing PulleyAzarxis 20 kN Micro Side Swing Pulley$13
7.1
DetailsBuy
CTSC Climbing Pulleys with Oval CarabinerCTSC Climbing Pulleys with Oval Carabiner$59
7.0
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING Black Large Rescue PulleyGM CLIMBING Black Large Rescue Pulley$36
6.9
DetailsBuy
EMMRAGNO 26KN Climbing Fixed Plate Micro PulleyEMMRAGNO 26KN Climbing Fixed Plate Micro Pulley$29
6.7
DetailsBuy
Climbing Technology RollnLock PulleyClimbing Technology RollnLock Pulley$79
6.6
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Double PulleyFusion Climb Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Double Pulley$29
6.0
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING 32kN Double Tie-in Hitch PulleyGM CLIMBING 32kN Double Tie-in Hitch Pulley$28
5.9
DetailsBuy
PETZL Micro Traxion Ultralight Progress Capture PulleyPETZL Micro Traxion Ultralight Progress Capture Pulley$97
5.8
DetailsBuy
Fusion Climb Nuro Pulley Fixed Aluminum Side PlateFusion Climb Nuro Pulley Fixed Aluminum Side Plate$11
5.5
DetailsBuy
Omega Pacific Revo Ice Prusik Minding Micro PulleyOmega Pacific Revo Ice Prusik Minding Micro Pulley$27
5.5
DetailsBuy
NAXEN 20kN Micro Pulley Climbing Pulley Aluminum RedNAXEN 20kN Micro Pulley Climbing Pulley Aluminum Red$13
5.5
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING Red Micro Prusik Minding PulleyGM CLIMBING Red Micro Prusik Minding Pulley$32
5.1
DetailsBuy
NewDoar Fixed Plate Micro PulleyNewDoar Fixed Plate Micro Pulley$17
5.0
DetailsBuy
NewDoar 30 KN Large Rescue Pulley Double SheaveNewDoar 30 KN Large Rescue Pulley Double Sheave$32
4.7
DetailsBuy
S.E.PEAK CE 30kN Rescue Climbing PulleyS.E.PEAK CE 30kN Rescue Climbing Pulley$39
4.7
DetailsBuy
HARKEN SMC CRx Pulley - OrangeHARKEN SMC CRx Pulley - Orange$19
4.3
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING Fixed Micro PulleyGM CLIMBING Fixed Micro Pulley$32
4.2
DetailsBuy
GM CLIMBING Swing Cheek Micro PulleyGM CLIMBING Swing Cheek Micro Pulley$39
2.7
DetailsBuy
Paliston 30kN Climbing PulleyPaliston 30kN Climbing Pulley$22
2.4
DetailsBuy
PETZL P03A Mobile Versatile Ultra-Compact PulleyPETZL P03A Mobile Versatile Ultra-Compact Pulley$29
1.9
DetailsBuy

Products that are Best For...

From backyard ziplines to pro rescue, these community-vetted pulleys deliver peak performance for every scenario. Discover the top picks that won Reddit’s seal of approval.

Mechanical Advantage Hauling
GM CLIMBING 40kN Micro Double Pulley

The GM CLIMBING Micro Double Pulley is well-suited for mechanical advantage hauling due to its high strength rating of 40kN, allowing users to easily set up 2:1 or 3:1 pulley systems. Positive feedbac...

Buy on AmazonRead our full review
Prusik Minding & Progress Capture
Omega Pacific Revo Ice Prusik Minding Micro Pulley

The prusik minding design of the pulley allows it to handle prusik knots effectively, providing secure and hands-free capture during rope rescues. This feature is critical for ensuring safety during h...

Buy on AmazonRead our full review
Rescue & Zipline Operations
EMMRAGNO 30KN Climbing Single Pulley

The three-hole hitch design makes this pulley suitable for ziplines and rescue operations, with users highlighting its smooth operation and high-quality aluminum construction as beneficial for aerial ...

Buy on AmazonRead our full review
Tending Hitches in Climbing Systems
GM CLIMBING 40kN Micro Double Pulley

The micro and fixed pulleys help in advancing hitches and maintaining tension in climbing systems. However, some negative feedback regarding binding issues suggests that while the pulley can be used e...

Buy on AmazonRead our full review

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