Simple
The Petzl SIMPLE is a lightweight, easy-to-use descender purpose-built for caving, sized down to reduce bulk in tight passages.
Cavers use the SIMPLE to control descent speed by hand, varying grip on the free end of the rope rather than relying on a mechanical brake setting, on low-stretch kernmantle ropes from 8.5 to 11 mm in diameter. An installation diagram engraved on the device and a safety gate on the openable side plate let the caver load the rope while the descender stays clipped to the harness, making it easier to pass intermediate anchors without fully disconnecting. Two aluminum pulleys keep the unit light, and both can be rotated or replaced to extend the device's working life.
Key features
- Openable side plate with a safety gate lets the rope be installed while the device stays connected to the harness
- Installation diagram engraved directly on the descender
- Elongated connection hole lets a FREINO Z carabiner rotate, reducing the risk of dropping the descender when moving it from gear loop to attachment point
- Two replaceable aluminum pulleys extend the device's usable life
Specifications
- Weight: 240 g
- Material(s): aluminum
- Rope compatibility: 8.5-11 mm low-stretch kernmantle rope
Works with
- The Petzl FREINO Z carabiner, whose friction spur and elongated-hole fit reduce the risk of dropping the SIMPLE during transfer between the gear loop and the attachment point
Common questions
Is the Petzl SIMPLE a current product?
Yes, the Petzl SIMPLE is an active, current model on Petzl's Canadian site, sold specifically as a caving descender rather than as a rope-access or rescue device.
What rope diameters work with the SIMPLE?
The Petzl SIMPLE is compatible with low-stretch kernmantle ropes from 8.5 to 11 mm in diameter.
Is the SIMPLE the same category of descender as the Petzl RIG or I'D?
No: the Petzl SIMPLE is a manual caving descender with no assisted braking, while the Petzl RIG and I'D are self-braking Professional descenders built for rope access and rescue work, so the SIMPLE is not a lighter replacement for those devices.