Whether you’re a beginner stepping onto the wall for the first time or an experienced climber who relies on a solid belay and helps newcomers find their footing, you know that a good belay is essential. The Bow steps in—an assisted braking belay device designed to have your back for every move and every moment on the sharp end.
When we developed the Bow, our goal was clear—to create a belay device that is safe, lightweight, and comfortable for everyone to use. The result? One of the lightest assisted braking belay devices on the market, weighing just 71 grams. That means it won’t add more weight to your pack than your favorite protein bar. Despite its minimal weight, the Bow is built to last, featuring durable materials and an abrasion-resistant metal insert to handle even the toughest wear and tear.
Ergonomics first
Climbing is all about flow—that sweet rhythm when everything feels smooth and effortless. The Bow gets that. That’s why we focused on maximum ergonomics and ease of use during development. Need to feed rope quickly? No problem. The Bow lets rope glide through smoothly and effortlessly. And when it’s time to lower your climber, you’ll have complete control. No jerky movements, no over-gripping the brake strand—just smooth, confident lowering every time.
The Bow stands out by offering multiple lowering methods, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best. While it works with ropes from 8.5 to 11 mm, it performs best with ropes between 9.5 and 9.8 mm, ensuring the perfect balance of safety and comfort.
For those who take climbing seriously
The Bow is an excellent choice for beginners looking for a belay device they can trust. With intuitive controls, you’ll get the hang of it faster than tying a figure-eight knot. It’s not just for beginners, its reliability and smooth handling make it just as valuable for experienced climbers who need a dependable partner.
And you know what? It looks great, too. With its sleek design and three eye-catching colors—black, blue, and white—the Bow doesn’t just have your back; it also looks great in your climbing photos.
Oh, and let’s not forget—the Bow is made in the Czech Republic. So when you pick one up, you’re supporting local manufacturing while getting a belay device built to handle all your climbing adventures.
How to use Bow
When it comes to safe and smooth belaying, the Bow is a reliable partner. In this section, we’ll walk you through the essential skills step by step. You’ll learn how to feed and take in slack efficiently, lower a climber smoothly, and catch falls with confidence. With the Bow, you’ll be belaying like a pro in no time!
Taking in and feeding rope
- Taking in rope – quickly and without snags.quickly and without snags. In the first image on the left, you can see how the Bow effortlessly takes in rope, preventing unwanted slack between you and the climber. One hand pulls the rope down while the other smoothly feeds it up from below the device. The result? Efficient slack management and constant control of the climber, no jerky movements, no snags, just a smooth and secure belay.
- Feeding rope – freedom the climber will appreciate. Sometimes the climber needs a little space, more rope for a crucial move. In the middle image, you see how it’s done. The hand under the belay device lifts the front part of the device, releasing it. Meanwhile, the other hand pulls the rope from the belay device towards the climber, giving them the freedom they need at that moment. The movement is smooth and precise, so the climber has room for the next move, while you still have everything under control.
- Catching a fall – automatic locking for peace of mind. What happens if the climber falls? This is where the Bow truly shines. In the third image on the right, you can see how it helps lock the rope, catching the climber safely. As soon as the rope moves through the device toward the climber, the Bow engages, stopping the fall like a mousetrap snapping shut. The key is keeping your brake hand on the rope below the device—this ensures the Bow locks and holds tight. So no worries, the Bow won’t let you down when things get tough.
Lowering Options
- Lowering with a closed grip – precise and controlled. The first image demonstrates a simple yet effective way to unlock the device with a smooth wrist movement. Gently press the lever down, and the rope begins to glide, easy, right? Your thumb gives you full control over the speed of the descent, allowing you to release the rope as quickly or slowly as needed. If you prefer precision and control, this method is perfect, no jerks, just smooth, effortless lowering.
- Lowering with the edge of your hand – more release, same control. The second image shows a variation where one hand presses the lever with the edge of the hand while the other controls the rope. This method gives you more freedom – pressing the lever releases the rope even more, but you still have everything under control. This is handy when you want to lower the climber smoothly, but perhaps a little faster.
- Lowering with the thumb – freedom with safety. The third image on the right shows what happens when you fully release the lever and let the rope glide freely. Here, control comes from your brake hand—gripping the rope firmly allows you to regulate the descent speed as needed. Just remember to always keep the rope under control to avoid unintentionally lowering the climber too quickly.
You want to know more?
Check out the Bow product card to discover more details. Or head straight to the Bow page for lots of useful information!
