the pinch edelrid

EDELRID's Pinch: a multi-purpose belay device with assisted locking and direct connection to the harness

EDELRID presents the Pinch, a new belay device with assisted locking designed for sport climbing, long routes and rope access. Its main innovation is its direct connection to the central ring of the harness, without the need for a carabiner. This design offers significant advantages in terms of safety, ease of use and rope control on the braking side. What's more, the steel braking grooves ensure smooth rope progression and optimum control of thin, flexible ropes during descent and abseiling. Versatile and pleasant to use, the Pinch also incorporates an anti-panic function.

"We wanted to enrich our range with a mechanical belayer that works regardless of the angle of the hand on the braking side. Our aim was to bring the device closer to the body, and we've achieved this by connecting it directly to the harness. This provides more direct feedback to the belayer, who can give 20 to 30 cm of slack with a single gesture, without the device swinging or needing to be held. The risk of transverse load on the carabiner is also eliminated", explains Philippe Westenberger, Product Manager at EDELRID. Find the full range of Edelrid belay devices on Alpinstore.

Direct connection to the harness

The Pinch is the first device on the market to connect directly to the central ring of the harness. This configuration places it lower and closer to the body, making the belay system more compact. The belayer no longer needs to hold the device between index finger and thumb to give quick slack. Simply place the thumb on the braking mechanism, keeping all four fingers on the braking side of the rope for added safety. In the event of an unexpected fall, the fingers reflexively contract and the thumb is automatically released from the device. What's more, the belayer can easily change hands without having to hold the device, making it easy to use on either side of the body. Last but not least, the proximity of the device to the body provides increased reach, enabling more slack to be taken up quickly and efficiently.


Linear rope progression

During descent, the rope glides linearly through the front steel braking grooves, allowing the belayer to control speed by the pressure exerted by the hand on the braking side, in addition to the lever. One advantage is that the rope does not twist, as it passes directly through the device, offering total control during descent or abseiling. What's more, the steel grooves increase durability and prevent unsightly discoloration caused by rubbing on the aluminum, a particularly valuable feature for thin, supple ropes.


Deactivatable panic function

The Pinch features an anti-panic function, making it particularly suitable for beginners. If the brake lever is pulled too far back, the system automatically locks, stopping the rope and interrupting the climber's descent. However, this can be a problem with light climbers, thick ropes or high friction, as the belayer may activate and deactivate this function more frequently. Once the anti-panic function has been activated, it is possible to continue the descent without this function by pulling the lever again.


Versatile use

The design of the new Pinch belay offers many advantages, especially for long routes. It can be used with a carabiner, useful when more space is needed between the belayer and the belay strap. What's more, it can be attached to the belay in four different ways, always allowing the lever to be positioned optimally. In fact, the Pinch is the only device that allows 90-degree rotation on the belay.

For rope access, it functions as a compact descender and positioning device, offering excellent maneuverability, especially with thin ropes. Professionals specializing in route opening or other tasks where the anti-panic function could get in the way, can permanently disable it thanks to an included screw.

What's more, thanks to its lightness and compactness, the Pinch is easy to take along for a final climbing session after work. Its direct connection to the harness, smooth rope routing, deactivatable anti-panic function and second braking level make it a revolutionary tool for assisted belaying.





The Pinch wins ISPO AWARD 2024

The PINCH, EDELRID's innovative new belay device, won theISPO Award 2024 at OutDoor by ISPO 2024. The first belay device to connect directly to the harness, it stood out for its proximity to the body, ease of use, optimal control of the braking side of the rope and enhanced safety.

The jury was won over by its unique design, which allows direct connection to the central ring of the harness without the need for a carabiner. This makes the belay system more compact, while also enabling slack to be taken up easily without having to block the device, guaranteeing better grip and enhanced safety. The risk of cross-loading the carabiner is eliminated, and the steel braking grooves offer smooth rope progression, especially during descents and abseils. The PINCH is also equipped with a deactivatable anti-panic function, and its versatility in sport climbing, long routes and route opening was particularly noted.

"We're delighted that the jury recognized the quality of the PINCH and our innovative work on mechanical belay systems," said Orlando Zaddach, Marketing Manager at EDELRID.

ispo the pinch edelrid

About the EDELRID brand

Founded in 1863, EDELRID has established itself as a leading manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly in the field of ropes andclimbing gear. The brand's products are designed for mountaineering and climbing activities, but also find their way into professional sectors such as workplace safety, industrial climbing, pruning and height rescue. EDELRID stands out for its innovative spirit and commitment to sustainable development.
Specializing in the design and manufacture of ropes, EDELRID has launched the first bluesign®-certified ropes on the market. Production takes place entirely at the company's headquarters in Isny im Allgäu, where 60% of all products, including all strings, are manufactured, guaranteeing top-level quality and functionality. In 2017, the Red Chili brand of climbing shoes was added to the EDELRID range, followed in 2022 by the integration of ABS Sports + Protection GmbH & Co. KG, specialists in avalanche backpacks.

the pinch edelrid


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