Updated July 8, 2025 01:20PM
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The Best Ice Screws
Big things come in small packages, right? There's nothing bigger than safety when it comes to ice climbing, and ice screws provide much-needed lead protection as well as belay anchors when you’re out on the frozen stuff. From different configurations to different lengths, there’s an ice screw out there that fits your climbing needs. Here are our top three choices.
Honorable Mention
Petzl Ice Screw
Great Product with Notable Features. Petzl has created a screw with lightweight design and solid durability, which we found to be accurate. The color-coding helps you easily grab whichever depth of screw you need on the fly, and the crank makes for rapid-fire placement. Get it today.
What We Liked:
Designed for ultrahigh performance, this ice screw is perfect for times that require strategic placement. The integrated crank makes it easier and faster to screw in. The steel tubing allows for easier bite as well. Further, the crank grip is color-coded so you can quickly identify the length of the screw without having to nervously fumble around in your bag.
Best Overall
Black Diamond Ice Screw
Quality Ice Screw. With a breaking load of 10 kN, we agree that this ice screw will keep you safe. It’s a quality selection with a difference you can feel and trust.
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What We Liked:
This ice screw is the perfect accessory for winter climbing: The screw body is made from cro-moly steel, while the clipping plate is made of stainless steel. At only 159 grams in weight, this screw has a breaking load of 10kN, which means it can hold up to 2248 pounds. This feeling of security gives a climber confidence for sure. Available in five lengths, the Black Diamond Ice screw has a large crank to allow for continuous rotation and easy placement. Buy it here.
Best on a Budget
Petzl Laser Ice Screw
Quality Ice Screw. With a breaking load of 10 kN, we agree that this ice screw will keep you safe. It’s a quality selection with a difference you can feel and trust.
What We Liked:
The Petzl Laser Ice Screw works great and screws in quickly. Petzl designs the screws with optimization in mind. The steel is treated to reduce the weight of the screw while increasing its strength. Our biggest issue with this ice screw? A crank is included to quickly place this screw into the ice. Still, it’s reliable, and at this price, it’s definitely the most affordable. Buy it today.