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European Outdoor Award Winner: Edelrid OHMEGA

In climbing, control is everything. The Edelrid OHMEGA is a compact, intuitive brake assistant that delivers smoother catches, compensates for weight differences, and enhances safety for every rope team. By supporting dynamic belaying and reducing hard impacts, it builds confidence at the crux and control at the belay. Deservedly, the jury honored the product with a European Outdoor Award – and here is why.

The Edelrid OHMEGA is a compact, intuitive belay-assist device that improves safety and handling for all rope teams. Lightweight and cleverly engineered, it ensures smoother catches, compensates for weight differences, and reduces risk in critical moments.

At its core is a three-step braking mechanism with an integrated cam that automatically adjusts for weight differences, helping prevent the belayer from being lifted. A steel pulley minimizes friction at the first bolt, ensuring controlled rope handling on steep routes or awkward placements.

Degree of innovation100%

Safety and performance for every rope team

The OHMEGA is useful for all climbing situations, not just teams with large weight differences. Its braking cam reduces the risk of common belay mistakes, while dynamic belaying allows softer, controlled catches. On longer routes, low rope friction reduces effort, and additional braking power near the ground increases protection against low-height falls.

European Outdoor Award Winner: Edelrid OHMEGA Edelrid 1
*sample award winner interview setting

Compact design, intuitive handling

Designed for ease of use, the OHMEGA features a self-explanatory setup. Clipping to the harness is straightforward, and switching between the three braking levels requires no specialist knowledge. Its short HMPE sling provides minimal activation distance, enabling smoother, softer catches. At 190 g, it is nearly undetectable in a backpack.

Materials:

  • Plastic housing for lightness and comfort
  • Metal body with steel pulley for durability
  • HMPE sling for high strength and abrasion resistance

Purpose-built for modern rope teams

The OHMEGA addresses the reality of modern climbing, where partners often differ in weight, strength, or experience. It complements existing belay devices, adding comfort and control, and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced climbers. Its compact, specialized design enhances safety without adding complexity.

Product specifications:

  • Weight: 190 g
  • Size: 6 cm (length) x 3 cm (height) x 3.5 cm (depth).
  • Material concept: Metal construction with a steel pulley, HMPE sling, and plastic housing.
  • Color: Oasis
  • Retail price: €125.00

Jury Statement:

“Three braking levels, friction reduction, and true versatility make the Omega a new benchmark for safer, smoother belaying.”

These features convinced them:

  • Three-level brake assistance
  • The integrated pulley reduces first-bolt friction.
  • It is versatile for all rope parties.
European Outdoor Award Winner: Edelrid OHMEGA Edelrid 5
  • Finally, Belaying Feels Effortless ★★★★★

    Before trying the OHMEGA, I always braced myself when belaying heavier partners – now I feel completely in control. The three-level brake support makes catches smooth and predictable, and the first bolt friction is practically gone. It’s lightweight, intuitive, and has quickly become my go-to belay upgrade in the gym.”
    European Outdoor Award Winner: Edelrid OHMEGA Edelrid 6
    Julia Topp
    Future of Sports Collab Club Member
  • A Small Device with Big Confidence ★★★★★

    I didn’t expect a belay assistant to make such a difference, but the OHMEGA instantly improved rope handling and reduced effort on longer pitches. The integrated steel pulley keeps the rope running smoothly, and even tricky low falls feel safer. Compact, reliable, and surprisingly powerful – I won’t climb without it anymore.”
    European Outdoor Award Winner: Edelrid OHMEGA Edelrid 7
    Harald Angerer
    Future of Sports Collab Club Member
Andi Spies

Written by:

Andi Spies

Andi Spies is a seasoned journalist with more than 25 years of experience covering action, outdoor, and board sports.

He is the founder of the content studio TEXTKOMMISSARIAT and the publisher of BLUE Surf & Travel Magazine, where he combines journalistic craftsmanship with a strong sense for storytelling, culture, and the people behind the sports. Over the years, he has written extensively for ispo.com, contributing in-depth stories, interviews, and industry insights that helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and relevance within the global sports and outdoor scene.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast and early snowboarder, Andi feels just as at home in the mountains as he does by the ocean. When winter fades, he happily trades his snowboard for a surfboard or mountain bike, always in search of the next story, adventure, or line worth telling.

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