Nuts

Wild country rocks "Full sets" plus Superlight rocks.

Or

Metiliouse curved nuts and Astro nuts.

Or

Dmm Walnuts and Alloy and brass offsets?

DMM set

i use DMMs walnuts, peanuts and offsets ... it all depends where you climb there is no "right" answer ...

go out and try as many nuts as possible with people more experienced who have em

Whatever you like and can get for the best price.

DMM Walnuts and offsets set me right for most areas, but not everyone likes them.

I have BD 4-13 set and the DMM offset alloys. Although the DMMs are only 5 sizes, I find myself reaching for them more often than the more "conventional" BD stoppers. I love those things (the offsets). They seem to find their own placements sometimes. I don't think you can go wrong with them, but like Ryan said, it probably depends on where you are.

DMM Walnuts get some other brand to fill in as you can. Craigslist. I also like different brands of cams BD and Metolius. Slightly different and one works when the other doesn't fit as well. Craigslist.

My climbing takes place in New Hampshire, Maine, Mass, and Vermont...

With All the options being fairly within each other I see no point in choosing based on price. I am really looking to make a good decision for a basic set that I can then add weird stuff to for specific situations or areas.

To be honest I have the Wild Country nuts but I can still return them as they are unused and I bought them from one of those great "no questions asked" return policy retailers.

I started climbing ice a few years ago and bought everything I needed the first season for the most part. Now after really using the stuff I have replaces most of that gear for what I really like and or need? I would like to avaoid this whole deal with the very very expensive rock rack!!!

Thanks for the help..

I'll offer this: the brand is not as important as the shape and I recommend the classic stopper. I agree DMM is nice and ABC huevos are worth looking at especially for the price. My main suggestion is that normal symmetrical nuts are preferable for your first couple semesters of leading. A lot of guys are crazy about offsets but I would wait on those until you are adept at seeing the placements. Offsets like to sit in flares thus creating the illusion that they will STAY in there in a fall. A nice symmetrical constriction is what you want any day. Best wishes.

I agree with crewdoglm. Get a set of cheap stoppers and hexes. Post in the sale section looking for a cheap set and somebody will help you out. The cams will come in time. If you can practice leading with hexes and stoppers then by the time you get cams you will be set. Way too many people rely almost entirely on cams with a few stopper placements. Knowing when and how to place passive pro is very important, especially when climbing alpine routes where weight and speed in everything. My girlfriend hates hexes and it kills me because they are so versatile.

I climb in the same areas as you and tend to gravitate to my WildCountry Rocks as my primary set of stoppers. I also have a set of BD but I still prefer the WC.

just use the WC ones you already have ,... get offsets later should you find yrself faced with flary cracks

it all comes down to preference .. again there is no right or wrong answer

Stick with your WC rocks for now. I consider these the "STANDARD" nut everyone should start out with. As you climb more you'll figure out what you want to supplement with. Gunks tend to like the Metolius straight taper design in my experience, NH I found the DMM Walnuts were a good second nut.

The Offsets are a good nut but much more specialized. I think they are either "better than sliced bread" or a "worthless weight" depending on the rock you're climbing. Pin scar prone areas like Yos or Index like them, other areas, not so much.

I do remember REALLY liking the smaller DMM Peanut offsets in NH though.

Weight Wienies like the Metolius Nuts

Lots and lots of hexes.

Thanks for the help guys....

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Metolius ultra light curved nuts. 1/3 pound lighter than the BD equivalent.

DMM offsets are amazing.

bwah hah hah! that was my first thought.