Does the Rope Runner Vertec and Aeris Kit Improve Your Climb?

Recently, the Aeris Friction Body Kit was released as an addition to complement the Rope Runner Vertec. As an avid user of the Rope Runner, I purchased this product to assess its features and evaluate the resulting climbing experience. In this brief review, I will discuss my impressions and provide an overall assessment to determine whether the kit meets expectations.

A Quick Overview

If you’re new to the Rope Runner, here’s a brief overview. Invented by Kevin Bingham from Detroit, Michigan, this device was specifically made for stationary rope systems. The earliest versions were built out of aluminum, which is still the main material, and shaped with tools like a Sawzall, drill press, and grinder. Later models benefited from water jet fabrication.

After several upgrades, the Rope Runner Pro emerged, offering smoother edges, adjustable friction settings (with a tool), and secure hardware that doesn’t fall off easily. This model was a clear improvement, though it took some time for the bird release to become smooth; it needed to be broken in.

Now, the Rope Runner Vertec represents the latest and most advanced version for SRT tree climbing. With just a few smart tweaks, it offers a big leap in convenience: there are no slic pins to press and the friction can be adjusted without any special tools.

Rope Runner Vertec

It’s been just over a year since the initial launch of the Rope Runner Vertec, and I can confidently say it is by far my favorite version. The first initial models did have a slight error with the attachment point, despite people claiming there were no issues; let’s be real here, there definitely was. I put as many climbs as I could within a three-month span, and I grew a bit bothered by the tight attachment point, which caused issues with slack tending, so I benched it. That is, until I saw a climber flow with it in such a masterly way, and he encountered zero issue with the Rope Runner Vertec; needless to say, I immediately pulled mine off the bench!

Back In Action

I found myself practicing movements on the ground with it before applying it in an actual tree work application, allowing slack to build up and pinpointing where and when the attachment point issue would happen. After identifying the issue, I would perform limb walks for an extended period of time; yes, I absolutely love climbing trees with all sorts of climbing gear, and remember, to build efficiency with a device, repetition and consistency must take place! Once achieving some proficiency with the Vertec, it was time for action, and practice made a difference. This climbing device, along with a DMM DurO Lock carabiner, became my go-to whenever the job called for a stationary rope system application. The release of the bird became my favorite feature. For those of us who climbed with the original Runners, we were able to dial in the bird and how to feather it over time, and it became even smoother once we “bellied” out the friction body. With the Vertec, there is no struggle to collapse the bird; it can be dialed in with little to no practice, and once the anodization is worn AND a little bit of wear on the body is present, forget about it! It’s stupid how smooth it is! This attachment point issue has since been addressed, and new models now have an elongated attachment point. 

The Aeris Kit

So, one has to ask oneself, how can it possibly get better!? The answer: the Aeris Friction Body Kit! Some, including myself in the beginning, complained about the substitution of the pulley for a bollard on the Rope Runner Vertec. I grew to embrace the bollard; perhaps it is an acquired taste. Along comes the Aeris kit, easy to swap out, and perhaps 2-3 minutes for the install. The friction body of the Aeris has a slight bump known to a few as the baby bump, I am being one hundred percent serious, and a good-sized pulley. With the pulley now present, the rope is not pressed onto the friction body; to correct this situation, the addition of the bump to the Aeris kit is the solution. It’s a great addition to the Rope Runner line-up, especially for those seeking the ultimate run.

My Initial Experience

As I mentioned, I grew to enjoy the bollard, but when I began slack tending after having installed the Aeris kit…WOW, I had forgotten how much of a difference a pulley can make! Going through redirects is also quite noticeable. As far as collapsing the bird for descent, there will be a learning period again, and friction settings may have to be adjusted again. At the moment, my Aeris kit is not “broken in” yet, and I prefer the bollard to the pulley, for now. I have a feeling that once the anodization is gone and I wear in the body a bit more, I will come to enjoy it more. 

Conclusion

The Rope Runner Vertec, along with the Aeris kit upgrade, will elevate your climbing experience. But I will say, if you prefer control and a calculated bird release, the original bollard may be the right fit. On the other hand, if you find yourself competing or jumping from limb to limb, the Aeris kit will complement your climbing style.