Great tool when used in the right application. If you are hauling, bug walling or caving it’s a must. But for Skimo there are lighter tools that can be used to jug up a wall with a microtaxion, grigri, shunt, prussick, etc. if you need it for a specific objective though this is the tool for hand ascenders. Tried and true.

Adventure Essential

Whether you're caving, climbing, canyoneering, routesetting, hauling equipment... you should have an ascender on your harness, period! I use this in conjunction with a rollclip carabiner through the top, a grigri with the break strand redirected through the rollclip, and a foot loop for easy ascending. Personal preference, but I also prefer to use a left-handed ascender even though I'm right-handed.

Best ascender I have ever

Best ascender I have ever used. Finish is extremely smooth allowing clean operation of the rope. Recommend this to anyone.

Petzl Left Hand Ascender

Comfortable handle, easy to advance along rope, grips immediately, no slipping. Nice large holes for karibina attachment. Would recommend

Petzl Quality - What else is there to say?

I bought this (and a black one, L/R) for TRT/Search and Rescue. I got tired of using (fighting?) Purcell's for ascending a line.These are lightweight and I really don't notice them on my already-overloaded rack. The mechanicals are solid and smooth, and they grab 10-11mm rope just fine, slide up with ease, and don't seem to cause undue wear. The size of the lower mounting hole gives me plenty of options for attaching foot loops, 2nd points of attachment to my harness, etc.

Specialized but handy piece of gear

This purchase was specifically to enable me to start developing rock climbing routes which involves going up and down ropes repeatedly. The Petzl Ascender makes that incredibly easy with its ergonomic design and easy to use functionality. Extension with a 10 mm sling off the bottom of the Ascender creates a foot leash which allows you to step up the rope as opposed to pulling yourself up it. I would caution the first time buyer to make sure you buy the correct orientation. If ascending with a Petzl GriGri, I would suggest getting the left hand Ascender as the right hand will be occupied with the rope and GriGri.

Super Strong High Quality Ascender

I'm not a thin woman, but I like to climb. This Petzl Ascension for righties like me worked like a charm. It's heavy and has high quality ergonomic hand fitters.

Totally worth the investment.

I purchased this ascender in the fall, in preparation for a course I was taking. I have only used it indoors to date, but look forward to giving it a good run outdoors in the spring.The mechanism used to engage/retract the "toothy cam" works smoothly and moves into place with a satisfying click. The hand grip is comfortable and easy to hold onto even after a long day of pulling one's self up and down the wall, setting routes.For gym work, I wish that it came with the adjustable foot-strap, but for general outdoor use, it just makes sense to use a sling for the foot as a sling can be re-purposed if necessary where as a foot-strap has only one use.I really love this piece and I'm happy to have added it to my rack.

Ultralight and Comfortable

The review title says it all. When trying to keep the bulk and weight down, this ascender is the only choice given that it is over an ounce lighter than almost all other ascenders. It also has a soft handle and excellent bite. It only has a thumb trigger so other ascender may have better features, but the trigger is rarely used.

Very pleased!

Love this right hand Petzl ascender!Goes on and off the rope well when I need it too. Stays on when I need it to stay. Build quality seems supreme even compared to my other Petzl products. Well made. Light enough. I use it as a hand ascender, knee ascender and use it for mechanical advantage with a petzl pulley carabiner. Only hand ascender I’ve had, I don’t have any issues at all that I’d even look for something different.Good piece of kit!