Descenders and Figure Eights

Standard Figure Eight

Aluminum standard eight is lightweight, compact, and dissipates heat well. Anodized aluminum stands up well to use.

SMC Mountaineering 8

Easy to rig when wearing gloves, this compact 8 has smooth action. Anodized aluminum. Weighs 2.9 oz. 4.6" long. Made in the U.S.A.

SMC “Descent Control” Stainless Steel Figure Figure 8

Seattle Manufacturing Company's Descend Control stainless eight is lightweight, tough, with exceptional control of acceleration, rappelling speed, and stopping. Wider shoulders help prevent girth hitching the rope. Made in the U.S.A.

Bent Ear Figure Eight

Aluminum bent-ear figure eight, sometimes called a rescue 8, it dissipates heat well, is lightweight, and has long bent ears to prevent the rope from locking up during descent. Colors may vary.

Steel Bent Ear Figure 8

This steel figure eight is very popular for its high strength. Uses include personal belay, rescue, and rigging. The steel figure eight has long bent ears to prevent the rope from locking up during descent. Popular for rescue kits or as an inexpensive lowering device. 11,250 lb (50 kN) break strength.

Sterling ATS Descender

New descender from Sterling Rope incorporates the best of tube, plate, and figure 8 style devices into one compact and durable tool. This unique device allows multiple friction settings on rappel as well as auto lock-off belay options. The ATS incorporates the best parts of a tube or plate device and a figure 8 with 'hyper-horns' into one compact, durable frame.

Petzl Pirana Descender

The Petzl Pirana is a unique descender with three different braking positions, two supplementary braking spurs, and a small carabiner hole for a “rigid” carabiner/descender unit which helps to keep the descender positioned correctly. The carabiner hole will only fit Petzl carabiners, and is meant to be a tight fit.

Mini Eight

Rock Exotica Mini-eight features side ears that let you easily vary friction, and is super compact - great for an emergency descender. Carabiner hole has rubber gasket that fits tightly on a Rock Exotica or Petzl carabiner. Only 3.6” long! Made in the U.S.A.

“Escape 8” Micro Figure Figure 8

Designed for firefighters in bailout situations, compact aluminum 8 is perfect for your bail-out kit. Works on a wide range of ropes; smaller ropes when doubled up to 7.5mm, and single up to 12.5 mm (1/2”). Weighs 1.7 oz (48g). Made in the U.S.A.

Q-Side Figure 8

This new aluminum rescue 8 has two ears on one side to make adding wraps for a more controlled descent quicker than ever. Quick and complete control over how much friction you want to slow your descent. Breaking Strength 5,000 lb. (22 kN). Made in the U.S.A.

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SMC Micro-Rack

The U-Rack utilizes Hyper bars which makes it easy to add friction or lock off the device. The rack dissipates heat excellently while still giving the needed amount of friction for long rappels. SMC tests their equipment in the user configuration which gives very accurate ratings. This rack is designed to run on ropes from 7-12.5mm and has a MBS range of 8kN to 22kN which corresponds with ropes you would use it with. At 9” x 3’ it is the most compact rack from SMC.

SMC 4-Bar NFPA U-Rack

SMC U-Rack assemblies are the only such U-Racks which are UL-Certified to the current NFPA standards. U-Rack may be used as either a rappel or lowering device. U-Rack does not twist rope, as can occur when using a figure 8 type of descender. U-Rack may be used with single or double ropes of varying diameters. User may adjust friction by simply wrapping rope around the tie-off bar(s). Stainless steel frame, stainless steel tie-off bars & brake bars. Weighs 26.6 oz. 9.6" long.

SMC J-Rack Components

With the SMC J rack, you can build your own rappel bar assembly by adding the brake and tie-off bars you want.

Petzl Gri Gri 2

New version in 2011 is 20% lighter and 25% more compact! The Gri Gri is an extremely popular descender which uses a handle to control the rate of descent. When the handle is released, the Gri Gri self-brakes and engages the cam to halt descent. The Gri Gri can be used in conjunction with a handled rope ascender and foot loop for short ascents in the sit/stand climbing method. Works with ropes with a maximum diameter of 7/16” (11mm.)

7/16” (8.9 - 11.5 mm max capacity), compact, easy to use.

Petzl Rig Descender

Designed for professionals, the Rig allows the user to move into position then easily stop where needed. This descender is compact and intuitive to use, making for smooth descents. A simple and effective alternative to more traditional descenders. Automatic return system on the handle. Pivoting cam facilitates taking up the slack in the rope. Can also be used to make a reversible haul system, and for short ascents (in conjunction with a FOOTPRO foot loop and an ASCENSION handled rope clamp). Single ropes between 10.5 and 11.5 mm in diameter (7/16” ). Weighs 380 grams. Instructions included.

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Petzl I'D Descender

This self-braking descender and belay device for single rope replaces a figure 8 or friction knot. The handle allows the rope to move, and descent is controlled with the free hand. If handle is released the cam is engaged and descent stops. Anti-panic device automatically brakes if the handle is pulled too far. Two models available: I'D S accepts up to 7/16” (11mm) rope. I'D L accepts up to 1/2” (13mm) rope.

Petzl Stop Descender

The Petzl Stop descender is an alternative to a figure 8 designed to work on single ropes with a max diameter of 7/16” (11mm.) The handle works like an on/off switch, stopping descent when released and allowing descent when squeezed. Rate of descent is controlled by the grip on the free end of the rope. Installation instructions are stamped into the faceplate.