Sterling 6.8mm Hollow Block reviews and deals for sale

Strong Performance

Great climbing heist that I have used many times. Strong and durable

Three wraps and good to go

I've put this through its paces over the last few months, and I've been really impressed by the holding power it has with just three wraps. I was recently doing a long double rope rappel with a 9.4mm rope and a 6mm tagline, so I wrapped the hollow block around a 4th time thinking that the tagline might slip. It ended up being so solid that it was hard to move. While it is quite… read more easy to make a prusik loop out of accessory cord, I prefer this for durability and safety. It offers absolute peace of mind during raps of any sort. Not to mention, every rock guide that I've interacted with carries one of these. If that's not an indication that you should too, then I don't know what is.

Didn't like it, prefer Beal jammy

Used for a few weeks to backup rappels. Works best as autoblock, prussik took longer to dress than Beal jammy and after loading was a pain to redress. Found Beal jammy, this now sits on pack with backup atc. Beal jammy: https://www.backcountry.com/beal-jammy-prusik

So great as an autoblock!

Is there really anything else on the market that can compete with the hollow block from sterling? If there is, I don't know about it. Buy one, you won't be disappointed!

best autoblock

three wraps and you're in total control.

Climbed to long without it

I bought the 13.5 inch hollow block and it is great! I connect it to my leg loop when repelling and wrap it around the rope twice and it stays in place with no worry at all. This is now a must have item whenever I sport/trad climb outside.

trust them with my life

Awesome sling. Kind of in between your average dyneema and nylon sling for thickness and weight. But these are solid and at a perfect price point. These get the job done, I obviously trust them with my life.

Use to backup rap on ATC

Just started using this off my leg loop in an auto lock configuration on an extended ATC rappel. Super comfy. Three wraps does it, stays clear of my device and is easy to use. Nice on those long raps with OMG exposure.

Sterling HollowBlock

Must have for any type of rope work

If you're climbing or canyoneering having a Hollow Block is a must. The aramid fiber is specifically used so it won't melt and bond to dyneema when used as a prussik like regular slings can do. Use it as a backup while repelling or many other uses.

Don't Get Stuck

Sometime, you rappel off anchors, praying there is a set below you. THis tool can be super handy if you rap a line and cannot find a set of anchors and need to ascend back up. Such a simple thing to have on your harness, but can be a lifesaver.

Never forget a 3rd hand!

I was introduced to the hollow block about 2 years ago and have never gone back. This piece never leaves my harness and it has made backing up my extended rappel so much faster and easier! Its great because I don't have to worry about the material being worn due to high heat friction and it allows me to rappel safely without having the jumpy jerky prussik using cord. It's also cut… read more to the perfect length so I never have to guess where to tie my prussik. I've had mine for 2 years, it was previously used by a climbing partner and am just now replacing it because it is pretty dirty and I'd love to have 2!

Must have!

Great to have a couple of these because you never know when you will need to have a back up on your rappel system to fix something or to build a new anchor ect... Soft materiel that can take lots of heat to it. The 13.5 inch is the perfect size for my 9.8 rope that I use for sport climbing.

a must have

I like having 2 of these on me during multi pitch climbs or when ice climbing. these super durable, work great and for me are a must have.

Great prusik cord

Great to have on your person during rappels

Third Hand is King

Golden Rule of Rappelling, use a prusik, ALWAYS. Well traditional homemade prusiks made with nylon have some disadvantages when you introduce nylon on nylon, you have a lot of unwanted added friction to the mix, which will start to heat up quickly and start to melt the fibers of your rope and prusik. Well Sterling has addressed that problem here. This is made of a synthetic polymer… read more fiber so it has a much higher melting point and it doesn't create as high of heated friction because it is to different materials. Bottom line, this is the way to go! Just pick one up, you will thank yourself later

Bombproof!

I bought one of these after the guys at the local climbing shop recommended it, and I fell in love immediately! These things are so insanely durable, and seem like they might literally last forever. The material they're made of is designed to be extremely heat resistant, so it's perfect for all your friction hitches! Save yourself the trouble of re-tying prusik loops every couple… read more weeks/months (depending on how often you climb); get one of these and you'll be set for at least the next year or two!

Like it so far.

Replace this with some cord I had been using for an auto-block while rappelling of climbing routes. I've only used it a few times but like it so far. Seems like it will be even nicer when it gets broken in a bit.

Does It's Job

I purchased this to use as a auto-block when rappelling. Prior to buying this, I was using a 5mm cord tied in a loop with a double fisherman's knot. Both cords accomplished the task. However, with the hollow block , you won't have a bulky knot in the middle of the cord. This makes it a little easier to work with. Also, the hollow block sits flusher and cleaner to the rope making… read more it slide a little better than most 5mm cord. I consider this a luxury climbing item considering you can build your own for much cheaper. But, it is a good product that works well.

safety measures

I think that rappelling with an auto-block is a good idea.

What length do people prefer???

Is this the HollowBlock2 or the original HollowBlock?

Question: Is the size (13.5 or 19) the "circumference", the length before it was sewn, or something else? thx

Is this the 13.5" or the 19"? The description says 13.5", the style/size dropdown says 19".

How UV-stable is this aramid, compared to...

How UV-stable is this aramid, compared to nylon?