Metolius

Overview

Metolius Climbing is a manufacturer of rock climbing gear, including spring-loaded camming devices, nuts, hexcentrics, belay devices, portaledges, harnesses, carabiners, slings, helmets, haul bags, crash pads, and climbing holds.¹⁶ Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, it produces equipment for rock climbing, big wall, and bouldering, with some production like carabiners moved overseas in the last decade.¹

History

Metolius Climbing was founded in 1983 by Doug Philips in his garage, named after the Metolius River in Oregon.¹ It developed gear such as sliders for thin parallel-sided columnar basalt cracks at Smith Rock, extending existing technology.² The company remains climber-owned and continues to manufacture a wide range of climbing equipment.¹⁶

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Some production, such as carabiners, was moved overseas in the last decade.¹ The company is climber-owned and based in Bend, Oregon, where it has operated since 1983.⁶

Notable Products

• Slider - Early protection device for thin parallel cracks at Smith Rock.
• Spring-loaded Camming Devices - Key protection gear for trad climbing.
• Hexcentrics - Passive protection pieces.
• Crash Pads - Padding for bouldering falls.
• Climbing Holds - Artificial holds for training walls.

Reputation

Metolius is viewed as a leading manufacturer of climbing gear by the climbing community, with a climber-owned ethos and focus on innovation for specific needs like Smith Rock cracks.¹² Enthusiasts and professionals trust its equipment for reliability in rock climbing and bouldering.¹³ Some note the shift of certain manufacturing overseas.¹