Rock Climbing Gear
The equipment that matters on the mountain
Rock climbing requires you wear clothing that is comfortable, and allows easy and complete range of movement. As with any outdoor sport, there are several other items you will need, including water, snacks, rain gear and warm clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses and a backpack to carry it all in.
Climbing gear can be brought or rented and some outfitters may provide it for you.
Rock climbing gear that is essential:
Climbing shoes should fit properly and feel comfortably tight. The type of climbing you'll be doing will determine how stiff of a shoe you want. Beginners want a relatively stiff shoe. You can also get away with running shoes or hiking boots, but they are not as effective as rock shoes.
A harness, worn for safety, is attached to a rope to protect you if you fall. It should fits comfortably around your waist and thighs.
Carabiners hook things together, and locking carabiners are best for safety. If you're just starting out, you'll need only one, used to attach your belay device to your harness. More advanced climbers, and those climbing outdoors, will use carabiners to hook additional gear onto their harness.
Climbing rope, whose length will differ depending on the type of climbing you're doing, and a metal belay device that hooks through a rope to belay a climber.
Chalk is used on climbers' hands to give a better grip on the rock. You can buy powder chalk or a less-messy chalk ball. A chalk bag will hold the chalk on your harness.
A helmet is essential to protect your head from falling rocks outdoors.
A crash pad will be needed if you're bouldering. You'll want placed beneath you to protect you from a fall.
A camming device and nuts are removable metal objects that can be placed in rocks to help the climber ascend a route without leaving anything permanent behind.
Quickdraws are two carabiners connected with a strong piece of woven cloth, and are used for climbers to hook their rope into when lead climbing.
