Petzl Corax Climbing Kit with GriGri Belay Device and Sm'D Carabiner Review (2026)

Who this kit is built for

The Corax GriGri Sm'D kit is aimed squarely at new climbers assembling their first personal rack of gear, whether that is for a gym belay certification, an outdoor top-rope day, or a first lead climbing course. Instead of researching and matching a harness, belay device, and locking carabiner separately, the kit puts three pieces designed to work well together into one box. That makes it a common recommendation from climbing gyms and guide services for someone who has decided climbing is a real hobby rather than a one-off visit. It is less suited to an experienced climber who already has strong preferences about belay device type or harness fit, since the value here is in the convenience of a matched starter set rather than in any single component being the best available option for a specialist.

What is actually in the box

The kit contains the Corax harness, a GriGri assisted-braking belay device, and an Sm'D carabiner with a TRIACT-LOCK triple-action locking gate. Petzl sells the Corax harness in two sizes: size 1 fits a 65 to 96 centimeter waist with 48 to 59 centimeter leg loops, and size 2 fits a 76 to 107 centimeter waist with 54 to 67 centimeter leg loops, with the full kit weighing about 700 grams in size 1 and 750 grams in size 2. Both the waistbelt and leg loops adjust, which lets the harness fit over a t-shirt in summer or a puffy layer in winter. The harness is certified to CE EN 12277 type C, the GriGri to CE EN 15151-1, and the Sm'D carabiner to CE EN 12275, all also UIAA certified.

Living with the kit day to day

The GriGri's cam-assisted braking is the headline feature for new belayers, since the device adds a mechanical backup to a belayer's brake hand rather than relying on grip alone, and Petzl markets it as comfortable for lowering a climber smoothly. The Corax harness's adjustable waistbelt and leg loops mean the same kit can move from a gym session in shorts to an outdoor day in cold-weather layers without buying a second harness. Because everything ships as a set, a new climber does not need to double-check compatibility between harness gear loops, belay loop rating, and carabiner gate type, which is a common source of confusion when buying pieces individually. As with any climbing gear, follow Petzl's inspection and retirement guidance rather than a fixed timeline, and retire any component after a hard fall or visible damage.

What the kit does not cover

This is a harness, belay device, and carabiner set, not a complete climbing kit. It does not include climbing shoes, chalk or a chalk bag, a helmet, or a rope, all of which a new climber will still need to buy separately before heading outdoors. Climbers who already know they prefer a manual tube-style belay device over an assisted-braking device are paying for a GriGri they may end up not using, since the kit does not offer a tube-device alternative. Against other harnesses in the same guide, the Black Diamond Momentum with trakFIT leg loops offers a similar adjustable, beginner-friendly harness on its own, while buying the Petzl Corax harness by itself, without the GriGri and carabiner, is the better call for someone who already owns a belay device they like.

Verdict and who should pick something else

For a climber who needs a harness, belay device, and locking carabiner all at once and wants an assisted-braking device from a well-established brand, this kit is a sensible way to check three boxes in one purchase. It suits gym-to-outdoor transitions well thanks to the adjustable harness sizing. Climbers who already own a belay device, prefer a lightweight tube device over a GriGri, or only need to replace a single worn component should buy the Corax harness or the GriGri on its own rather than the full kit, since paying for parts you will not use erases the convenience this bundle is built around.

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