The new collection also introduces two brand-new picks-PURвЂ™ICE the ice masters dream and PURвЂ™DRY, for competition mixed climbing-collectively rounding the offering to four interchangeable picks that are adaptable for use in all three new ice tools. When locked in an upward position the tool drives better when plunged into softer snow and with the griprest opened your hand is well supported for steep, technical ice or couloir climbing.ДЄs with its predecessor, the 2018 QUARK can come equipped with a hammer or adze. The lower handle grip is overmolded with high friction rubber, but flatter on both sides and front for better indexing and grip.ДЄt the base of the tool is a single stainless steel pick and a brand-new griprest that is now foldable.

The QUARK ($340) remains PetzlвЂ™s most versatile tool for both technical alpine mountaineering and ice climbing. The new iteration features an enhanced PURвЂ™ICE pick, glass filled nylon overmolded upper grip and lighter lower grip-shedding 20 grams from its predecessor (read: 585g)-and an all-new griprest-now wider, overmolded with rubber and a stainless steel pick at the base. The NOMIC has been completely redesigned for 2018 with increased durability and weight shedding improvements. PetzlвЂ™s NOMIC ($400) has long served as the standard and preferred tool for many ice climbers. The ERGONOMIC weighs in at 635 grams per tool. A unique lower grip on the ERGONOMIC is larger in diameter with flat sides which gives a more secure grasp due to a higher volume of contact area. A new overmolded glass filled nylon handle makes the upper grip more durable. The ERGONOMIC ($480) comes equipped with a redesigned DRY pick that offers more aggressive teeth, tapered from 4mm at the top to 3.2mm at the tip. The all-new ERGONOMIC is the perfect bridge between the NOMIC and its predecessor, ERGO, offering more utility as a specialist tool meaning it functions equally well on steep ice as it does on overhanging dry tool and mixed climbs. Anne Gilbert Chase with all three new Petzl tools The shape of each grip is unique and was derived from tester feedback around the specific needs of a route while also optimized for enhanced control, comfort and performance. All three now feature an mid-shaft grip perfect for moving quickly on low angle terrain or gripping up on the shaft for an extended reach when necessary.

Ergonomics were top of mind in the redesigns of the shaft and grip of each tool. Key technical updates provide greater modularity and improved durability across the line.

вЂњThe engineering of these tools, along with their modular components, offer climbers better performance while simultaneously adding a broader range of ways to customize the tools to the exact requirements of the terrain or route.вЂќ The QUARK excels for technical alpine climbing, the NOMIC being the perfect tool for vertical ice and the all new ERGONOMIC becomes the tool of choice for steep ice and hard mixed routes,вЂќ said Jon Rockefeller, director of marketing for Petzl North America. вЂњWeвЂ™ve challenged the ice tool norm, reengineering our offering to create tools that excel for their specific target uses.

Petzl quark