Are you about to buy a Petzl GriGri and wondering which model you should choose: the Petzl Gri Gri or the Petzl GriGri+? In this post we’ll list the differences and help you decide which belay device is best for you.
Petzl GriGri
The current iteration of the GriGri is actually the third version of the device. For this reason you will sometimes see people call it a “Gri Gri 3”, even though the official name is just “GriGri.” We’ll use
Identifying Gri-Gri Models
The original GriGri had a more triangular shape, and was rated for ropes from 10 to 11mm. The second version of the Gri Gri introduced the more modern oval shape, and accepted ropes down to 8.9mm. The third Gri-Gri doesn’t have a distinct visual change from the Gri-Gri 2, but it does work with ropes down to 8.5mm in diameter. The rope diameter range is marked on the back of the Gri-Gri. Additionally, the Gri-Gri 3 has a “Name” field inside the device, where you can put your initials. The Gri-Gri+ is easily identifiable by its steel lowering plate – a feature no other GriGri model possesses.
Gri Gri Plus
The GriGri+ is Petzl’s attempt at a beginner-friendly GriGri. It’s designed to eliminate the one catastrophic failure mode of the original Gri-Gri: when a panicking user accidentally holds the brake lever open, and drops their climber to the ground. It’s important to note that this is 100% user error. Still, this author has *almost* been dropped to the ground by a panicking belayer, and appreciates Petzl’s thoughtful updates.
The Gri Gri Plus introduces a failsafe: if the lowering lever is pulled ALL the way back, as usually happens when a person panics, lowering action will stop. In order to sustain a lower, the belayer needs to either pull past the dead spot, resulting in a slow lower, or release the lever slightly, which allows for a faster descent. This ensures the belayer is paying attention. A great feature for beginners, climbing gyms, and the safety-minded. Experienced climbers may find the failsafe a little annoying.
The GriGri Plus also has a switch to toggle between “top rope” and “lead climbing” modes. This switch changes how grabby the cam is, allowing slack to be fed easier when lead belaying.
The other advantage the GriGri+ has is it possess a steel lowering plate. All other Gri-Gri models have an aluminum lower area, which will eventually wear out over time, especially if you are climbing in sandy environments.
Buy the GriGri Plus on Amazon for $140.
Gri Gri 3 (Modern GriGri)
The newest GriGri model is a little more straightforward than the GriGri+. It has no switchable modes, no steel lowering plate, and no anti-panic feature. In exchange, it is lighter, easier to anticipate what it will do, and 50% cheaper. If you want a feature-stacked GriGri, the Plus is the clear choice. But if you’re familiar with the old GriGri and just want a simple device, the standard GriGri is still just as good as ever.
Upcoming: The Petzl Neox
The Neox will be releasing summer 2024, and we haven’t got our hands on it yet. It looks like a slightly modified Gri-Gri, with an emphasis on smooth feeding of slack for lead climbing. The main difference between the Neox and the GriGri is that the Neox integrates a wheel, similar to the Wild Country Revo, to allow for faster feeding of slack without locking the device. You can check out the Petzl product video, below.
Our Pick
Ultimately, for our audience of gym-to-crag climbers, we have to recommend the GriGri+. The added safety features ensure that it’s pretty damn hard to drop someone to the ground (still not impossible, though!) Additionally, the lead/top-rope selector makes it a harder to short-rope a lead climber, which can be a problem with newer lead belayers. And at only 36 grams extra, the weight difference between the two GriGris is negligible. Although some people do prefer the regular GriGri, we believe the GriGri Plus is the best GriGri, and the best assisted-braking belay device on the market.
Want a carabiner designed to make your GriGri even easier to use? Check out the Petzel Freino – you can run the breake strand through the second compartment to add additional control while lowering a climber.
Gym to Crag 