Stick Clip Guide: Best for June 2023 + How to Use

Last Updated on: 26th May 2023, 08:32 am

Lead climbing is a thrill. Being above a bolt, pushing for the next hold, knowing if pop off a short free fall awaits. It’s a huge part of the draw to sport climbing. But that thrill becomes fear when a high first bolt or challenging first move means failure equals a ground fall. That’s where the stick clip comes in.

Contents

• Stick clip overview
• How to use a stick clip
• When to stick clip
• Use a stick clip with a climbing rope
• Best stick clips
  • Skyhook
  • Trango
  • Kailas Clip
• Make your own stick clip
• Wrap up

Stick clip overview

A stick clip is a handy tool used in rock climbing to reach and secure a high bolt or clip a draw to a hard-to-reach point, typically the first bolt of a route. It consists of a telescoping pole with a clip at the end, allowing climbers to safely and easily attach their gear while staying on the ground. Stick clips are commonly used to reduce the risk of injury in sport climbing and to make climbing more accessible for people of all heights and abilities.

How to use a stick clip

Using a stick clip can be tricky. Following these steps will help you get the bolt

1. Extend the pole to the desired length and secure it in place.
2. Insert the carabiner of the quickdraw that attaches to the rock into the stick clip. Make sure the gate is positioned open.
3. Put the rope through the bottom carabiner (the one that won’t attach to the rock). Make sure it is set so the end the climber will tie into comes behind the carabiner and down the front away from the rock.
4. Reach the stick clip up and position the open gate of the quickdraw through the bolt. Once it’s in there, pull it down.
5. Check to make sure the gate is closed and the rope is hanging in the proper direction. Then enjoy your climb!

The most common challenge people have is securing the gate open. Every model is a little different, so it might be smart to practice before you get out to the crag. People will also put the rope through in the wrong direction, also known as back-clipping. If you’re still a little confused, you can check out this video to clear things up.

When to stick clip

There’s no hard or fast rules about when to stick clip. It really comes down to your comfort. The whole point of stick clipping is to avoid hurting yourself. If you’re attempting a route for the first time or climbing something that has a hard or sketchy first move, then it’s probably a good idea. While stick clipping is most popular in sport climbing it’s not impossible to do it in trad. However, I’ve never done it so I can’t speak to how well it works.

Some purists might say that if you use a stick clip while redpointing or attempting to onsight a route, it disqualifies the climb as a send. But honestly, who cares what a bunch of salty climbers think. I personally will never risk a broken ankle or worse so other people will approve of my climb.

There are certain routes I’ve climbed enough or that I can tell have an easy first move that I’ll do them without a stick clip. But again, it’s all about personal comfort. I recommend having one on you, then making the call yourself.

Use a stick clip with a climbing rope

Sometimes you’ll want to climb a route where the quickdraw is already on the bolt, but the rope isn’t through the draw. To use a stick clip a climbing rope through a draw already on the wall, follow these steps.

1. Extend the pole to the desired length and secure it in place.
2. Form a loop with the rope by pushing the rope together. Place the loop into the clamp on the edge of the stick. The loop be sitting above the clamp.
3. Reach your clip up and position it around the gate of the quickdraw you wish to clip into.
4. Pull the rope on the ground to tightened the loop. As it closes in on the carabiner, it should open the gate, let the rope in, then snap shut.
5. Make sure the rope in through draw, the gate is close, and it’s not back-clipped. Then climb on!

This method is a bit more confusing. Check out the video below to watch how it’s done. Keep in mind, it might take you a few tries!

Best stick clips

The stick clip market has changed a lot in the last few years. What used to be something you had to create yourself has blossomed into a collection of brands creating some high quality products. Here is around up of the best ones out there.

Clip Name	Skyhook	Trango	Kalias Clip
Weight	19.5 oz	21.6 oz	9.1 oz
Length Collapsed	29.5 in	29 inches	22.6 inches
Length Extended	10 ft 5 in	12 feet	10 ft 7 in
Price	$79.00	$92.00	$53
Best…	Overall	Longest	Cheapest

Skyhook

The Skyhook is the best stick clip out in my opinion. It’s sturdy, very extendable, and the most user friendly model out there. While every model is fairly simple once you know you to use it, this one is intuitive enough that first time climbers shouldn’t struggle to figure it out. I’ve had mine for two years and slowly watched all my climbing partners buy their own. Unfortunately, they are hot items that go fast, so if they are in stock, snag one.

PROS:

• Durable, sturdy, and highly extendable
• Tip capable of stick clipping both quickdraws and rope with ease
• Reasonable price point for value

CONS:

• Often out of stock
• Doesn’t extend as high as other models

Buy it here

Trango

The Trango stick clip has been on the market for a while and is also a good choice. For a while these were the only durable and reliable choice on the market. It’s mechanism for holding the quickdraw is different than other clips, but once you figure it out it works just as well.

Pros:

• The U shaped hook can grab a rope above a clip and pull it down when you forget to unclip a draw while lowering
• It stretches longer than any other stick clip
• Durable build for rough days on the rock

Cons:

• If the rope is on the ground, it’s harder to use this model stick clip the rope
• A little more expensive than other models
• Is a bit heavier than other models (only a few ounces)

It’s the most pricey out there, but it definitely gives you lots of value for what you get. Use the ad below or see it here.

Kailas Clip

This is a great affordable option, for climbers looking for a device that don’t want to spend a lot of cash. The Kailas clip is really lightweight, and packs down to a size that often can fit in most climbing bags. With that said, it’s lightweight nature makes it a little less durable. Check it out using the link below or see it here.

PROS:

• Cheapest model out there
• Compacts down and is lightweight
• Can easily stick clip draws and rope

CONS:

• Less durable and a little more flimsy
• Can be more challenging to stick clip rope

Make your own stick clip

The good news is that you can make your own clip device, and it’s essentially free. You just need a stick of some sort and some tape. There’s a Touchstone Climbing how to article you can check out for more info.

Wrap up

Stick clipping is a great tool for climbers who want to stay safe. So, if you want to keep your dirtbag life in full swing, get yourself a stick and stay safe out there.