Stick Clips

Stick Clips for Sport Climbing

A stick clip allows you to clip a quickdraw into a bolt before starting a climb, reducing the risk of ground falls when the first bolt is high or the opening moves are difficult. Some models also allow you to retrieve quickdraws, remove draws, or clip bolts farther up a route.

The main options fall into five categories: dedicated telescoping stick clips, compact stick clips, ultralight systems, multipurpose systems, and DIY attachments.

Recommendations

For a climbing gear list, prioritize these four:

• BetaStick EVO Super Standard – Best general-purpose stick clip. Excellent reach and versatility

• Metolius Roll Up Stick Clip – Best option when packability is the priority

• Pongoose Climber 700+ – Best multipurpose option for sport climbing and bouldering

• Trango Squid + compatible pole – Best modular option if you want a specialized clipping and unclipping head

Important selection considerations:

• Reach: A longer pole is useful for high first bolts, but becomes cumbersome to carry

• Packed Length: Especially important for multipitch climbing and long approaches

• Head Compatibility: Make sure the clipping head works with your quickdraw carabiner, including wire-gate and solid-gate designs

• Pole Rigidity: Excessive flex makes it difficult to position a quickdraw accurately

• Retrieval: Some heads allow you to remove quickdraws or retrieve a rope, while basic models only help with clipping

A stick clip is an aid for establishing protection, not a substitute for sound climbing judgment. Always verify that the quickdraw and rope are properly clipped before committing to the climb.

Dedicated Telescoping Stick Clips

These are the traditional, all-purpose options for sport climbing. They use an extendable pole with a specialized head designed to hold and position a quickdraw.

BetaStick EVO

Best overall recommendation

• Four sizes, from compact to ultra-long

• Adjustable head accommodates most snap-gate carabiners

• Supports lasso clipping, quickdraw removal, and rope retrieval

• Super Standard extends from 74–374 cm

Metolius Basic Stick Clip

• Traditional telescoping aluminum pole

• Simple, straightforward clipping head

• Good general-purpose cragging option

• Less specialized than the BetaStick

Pongoose Climber 700+ 3-in-1 Clipstick/Stick Clip

• Multipurpose three-in-one design

• Designed for clipping, retrieving quickdraws, and brushing holds

• Modular pole system

• Available in different lengths

Compact and Portable Stick Clips

These prioritize packability and are particularly useful for climbers who want to carry a stick clip while hiking to a crag or climbing multipitch sport routes.

Roll Up Stick Clip Kit

Most compact design

• Carbon-fiber pole rolls into a very small package

• Extends to approximately 3 m

• Packs down to approximately 9.5 × 11.5 cm

• Excellent for backpacking and travel

BetaStick EVO Ultra Compact

• Packs down to approximately 55 cm

• Extends to approximately 238 cm

• Good compromise between portability and reach

• Can be attached to a climbing pack

Pronghorn Clip Stick

• Compact telescoping design

• Available with different clipping-head configurations

• Designed to be carried on a harness

• Useful for clipping bolts farther up a route

Specialized and Multipurpose Options

Squid - the UnClip Stick

• Specialized stick-clip head

• Allows clipping and unclipping quickdraws

• Can hold a quickdraw and position the rope

• Requires a compatible pole, such as the Trango Squid Pole

Pongoose Climber 1000+ 3-in-1 Clipstick /Stick Clip

• Extra-long multipurpose stick clip

• Designed for higher bolts and longer reach

• Also supports brushing and gear retrieval

• Better suited to dedicated cragging than lightweight approaches

Spire Clip - Carbon Fiber Stick Clip

• Carbon-fiber stick clip

• Designed around a specialized clipping head

• Premium alternative to traditional telescoping designs

Simple Stick-Clip Attachments and DIY Systems

These are less expensive alternatives if you already have a suitable pole.

• Metolius Superclip - Small attachment that can be fitted to a compatible pole

• Trango Squid - Specialized head for clipping and unclipping quickdraws

• Painter's pole + stick-clip head - Use an extendable painter's pole with a compatible attachment

• Hiking pole + attachment - Possible for limited reach, depending on pole rigidity and attachment compatibility

The Metolius Superclip and Trango Squid are particularly worth considering if you want to build a modular system rather than purchase a dedicated stick clip.

Comparison and Recommendations

• BetaStick EVO Super Standard

  • Primary Advantage: Versatility and reach

  • Best Application: General sport climbing

• Metolius Basic

  • Primary Advantage: Simplicity

  • Best Application: Regular cragging

• Pongoose Climber 700+

  • Primary Advantage: Multipurpose functionality

  • Best Application: Sport and bouldering

• Metolius Roll Up

  • Primary Advantage: Extremely compact

  • Best Application: Alpine approaches and travel

• BetaStick EVO Ultra Compact

  • Primary Advantage: Packability and reach

  • Best Application: Multipitch and cragging

• Pronghorn

  • Primary Advantage: Compact carry

  • Best Application: Bolt-to-bolt clipping

• Trango Squid

  • Primary Advantage: Clipping and unclipping

  • Best Application: Specialized applications

• Pongoose Climber 1000+

  • Primary Advantage: Extended reach

  • Best Application: High first bolts

• Spire Clip

  • Primary Advantage: Carbon-fiber construction

  • Best Application: Premium lightweight setup