Essential Equipment
Whether you are climbing indoor walls or in the great outdoor, having proper equipment is essential for safety and improving your climbing quality. Here you will find details on what you need for your next climbing adventure. Equipment is different for each type of climbing and the destination. For example, if you are going to a climbing gym, you may not be required to have have any gear; insead, you may rent gear or even be allowed to just wear closed toed tennis shoes. However, even if this is the case, having a pair of climbing shoes instead of everyday shoes coould be the difference in you being able to send out. Determine your next climbing destination and read below to find the equipment that will enhance your climbing experience.
Climbing Shoes
Design
Climbing shoes are one of the most essential pieces of climbing equipment as it allows for better foot placement and overall better climbing performance. They are designed to be snug to provide grip and sensitivity on a variety of surfaces. This design supports precise moevment on a climb.Fit: Climbing shoes should be comfortable and snug, and many climbs choose to go down a half to a whole shoe size as they become more experienced. A tight shoe will enhance sensitivity and control of holds, but they should not be painful or cause discomfort.
Closures: There are two types of closures for climbing shoes:
- Velcro: Allows for quick and easy removal of shoes, which is ideal for bouldering.
- Laces: Provides a more secure and customizable fit, which is ideal for sport and trad climbing.
- Slip-on: Allows for a snug fit with elastic material, which is ideal for performance models.
Downturn: This shape of the shoe that affects the power of your climb:
- Aggressive: Pointed toe design
- Moderate: Releaxed downturn design
- Neutral: No downturn design
Where to Buy
Climbing shoes can be found at a variety of retail stores and at most local climbing gyms or outdoor stores. You can shop online or in person. However, most people tend to go and try on the shoes in person to ensure the ideal fit for them. Due to their wide selection, two popular options to shop for climbing shoes are:- REI: Has a good return policy for trying on different sizes
- Backcountry: Has a large variety of high performance shoes
Types of Shoes
Aggressive: These shoes are designed with a pointed toe and downturned design, placing power on big toes for maximum force on small footholds. These shoes are ideal for dynamic moves and overhangs in bouldering where grip and power are essential and steep routes in sports climibing where precision is essential.La Sportiva Theory and Scarpa Drago are two of the top models for this style of shoe. The Theories provide a sensitive sole and snug fit enhancing precision on climbs while the Scarapa Drago uses a soft, sticky rubber with the aggressive profile for technical boulder problems.
Moderate: These shoes are designed with a rounded toe and relaxed downturn, allowing for performance and comfort. These shoes are ideal for long pitches and varied terrain seen in trad climbing and provide versatility for multi-pitch climbs in sports climbing.
Black Diamond Momentums and Petzl Dragos are ideal models for this style of shoe. The Momentums are both versatile and comfortable while the Dragos are comfortable and senstive for long climbing sessions.
Neutral: These shoes are flat with no downturn, providing comfort over performance. This is the ideal shoe for beginners while they are developing skills and multi-pitch climbs where long climbs require comfort.
La Sportiva Tarantula and Scarpa Vapor are ideal models for this style of shoe as they both provide comfort.
Climbing Harnesses
Design
A climbing harness is a vital peice of equipment specifically for top-roping, trad climbing, lead climbing, and and any other climbing style with a rope where you go above 20 feet vertically. They are a safety feature in an event of a fall, but they also serve to provide support to a climber. They are designed for comfort and security and typically have adjustable straps to ensure a tight fit. Typically you want the harness to be tight enough that if you stick two fingers between the harness and your body, you will not be able to twist your fingers.Fit: Like climbing shoes, a harness cames in many sizes, so it is important to try on the harness before buying. A harness should fit snuggly around the waist in legs.
Types of Harnesses: There are two main types of harnesses:
- Sport: Prioritize lightweigh design and ease of use, specifically for sport climbing.
- Trad: Offers numerous gear loops, specifically for traditional climbing.
Where to Buy
Climbing harnesses can be found at a variety of retail stores and at most local climbing gyms or outdoor stores. You can shop online or in person. It is best to try them in on in person to guarantee a good fit and comfort level. Popular options to shop for climbing harnesses are:- REI: Has knowledgeable staff to help find the right fit and a large variety of climbing gear on different sizes
- Backcountry: Has a large variety of high-quality harnesses
Types of Harnesses
Sport: These harnesses are designed specifically for sport climbing with their lightweight material and easy use. They typically have few gear loops and minimal leg adjustability allow for comfort on short climbs.Petzl Adjama and Black Diamond Momentum are ideal choices for this style of climbing. The Adjma has adjustable leg loops which provides extra security and better fit and comfort while the Momentum has breathable mesh for comfort.
Trad: These harnesses are designed specifically for traditional climbing with many gear loops (usually 4-6 loops). They typically have extra padding on waist and legs for comfort on long climbs and have many adjustable features such as leg loops.
Black Diamond Solution and Petzl Falcon are ideal models for this style of shoe. The Solutions are typically used for multi-pitch climbs due to its padding and multiple gear loops, and the Falcon has removable leg loops for versatility in climbing styles as well as multiple gear loops.
Climbing Chalk
Design
Climbing chalked is designed to enhance a climbers grip on holds by keeping hands dry. This prevents slipping and improves performance of a climb. Chalk bags hold the chalk and can clip onto a harness for accessibility during a climb.Types of Chalk: The most common type of chalked used is loose chalk. However, many climbing gyms prefer climbers to use a chalk ball or liquid chalk as these are less messy options. There are three main types of chalk:
- Loose: Allows for quick application and easy use.
- Ball: Evenly dispenses chalk when the mesh bag is squeezed.
- Liquid: Provides a long lasting grip using a mixture of magnesium carbonate and alcohol.
- Bouldering: Designed for quick access during bouldering. It is usally a larger bag to easily access chalk and will typically have a pocket to store brushes to clean off holds or other small items. They have a closure like magnet to keep the bag closed.
- Top-Roping: Designed for easy accessibiity with a clip or strap to attach to a climber's harness during a climb and a small size. They typically have a drawstring to keep the bag closed.
Where to Buy
Climbing harnesses can be found at a variety of retail stores and at most local climbing gyms or outdoor stores. You can shop online or in person. It is best to try them in on in person to guarantee a good fit and comfort level. Popular options to shop for climbing harnesses are:- REI: Has knowledgeable staff to help find the right fit and a large variety of climbing gear on different sizes
- Backcountry: Has a large variety of high-quality harnesses
- 8BPlus: Has cute and fun chalk bag designs.
- Amazon: Has afforadable options.