The Best Climbing Gear for Beginners
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The sport of rock climbing is having a moment. It's in the Paris 2024 Olympics; professional climber Alex Honnold, who starred in the documentary Free Solo, now has several climbing shows with National Geographic. Thanks to an explosion in the popularity of indoor climbing gyms, anyone can now give climbing a go. It's easy to see the attraction: You get a full-body workout, it's fun, and your brain has to solve problems too.
Whether you're indoor climbing—or pulling on plastic, as traditionalists like to say—or going outside to climb on rock, you'll need some gear to get started. Indoor climbing is accessible, and you can go year-round; outdoor climbing has better views, more complex problem-solving, and occasionally the need to overcome fear and embrace teamwork. Here, you'll find a comprehensive selection of the best climbing equipment for beginners and improvers. We also asked the experts at Backcountry.com for their tips on dealing with notoriously uncomfortable climbing shoes.
Don't see anything you like? Check out our many other guides on outdoor gear, like the Best Tents and the Best Hiking Shoes. With any luck, you too can be on-sighting the problem, working the crux, and smashing the beta on the way to your first 5.11.
- Photograph: Scarpa
The Ideal First Climbing Shoe
Scarpa OriginClimbing shoes are deliberately snug, but your first pair shouldn't be overly tight. If you've been to a climbing gym for a taster session you'll have used rental shoes, which will be soft and forgiving, but also lacking in anything but basic levels of performance. The Origin from Scarpa has a flat profile, great quality rubber, and unusually large amounts of cushioning (for a climbing shoe). They're the ideal upgrade from rental shoes, offering a great fit even if you have wide feet.
They're so comfortable (for climbing shoes) that many experienced climbers use them on long all-day trips, swapping out with a more aggressive performance shoe when the terrain gets more technical. A similar shoe that reviews editor Adrienne So has been testing recently is the Tenaya Arai ($125), which is comparably priced, comfortable enough to wear all day, and unlined so it will continue to stretch and mold to your foot.
- Photograph: Chris Haslam
The Best Climbing Shoes
Adidas Five Ten NIAD LaceFor a long time I foolishly thought that crushed toes from aggressive climbing shoes was the answer. Then the bunions started to appear. I needed a shoe that could still allow me to climb hard, just without deforming me. That shoe is the Adidas Five Ten NIAD Lace. NIAD stands for Nose in a Day, referring to the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite, possibly the most famous rock climb in the world.
It's a classic-style climbing shoe with fantastically grippy Stealth C4 rubber edges, which are great for smearing on all surfaces. The stiff midsole really helps take the pressure off my toes on tiny foot holds, while the tongue has the plushest cushioning without making it feel like a rental shoe. I half-sized down from street shoes and they fit superbly. Don't get me wrong, I still love the precision and support from my Scarpa Vapour S and will buy the $200 Scarpa Instinct VSR in the sales, but I appreciate the comfort compromise here.
- Photograph: Gramicci
The Perfect Pant
Gramicci PantBoth Adrienne and I live in Gramicci pants. We both climb regularly, but have admitted to owning multiple pairs. Adrienne has climbing pants as well as “business” climbing pants for when she actually has to show up at work.
Made with 100 percent organic cotton, they're supremely hard-wearing. The elasticated waist and diamond-shaped crotch gusset make them super comfortable, with plenty of room to move freely. All stitching is reinforced too. It's a design that's changed little since they were first launched in the '80s. While they can run hot on warmer days, the extra thickness prevents inevitable grazes. They're better suited to bouldering ,as they bunch a bit under the harness. The brand also has lighter-weight nylon designs, as well as slimmer-fit options if you don't like the baggy look.
- Photograph: REI
A Great T-Shirt
Arc'teryx Cormac Arc'Bird Logo T-shirtWhile some climbers prefer a snug-fitting T-shirt that doesn't bunch under a harness, such as the excellent Patagonia Capilene Cool Merino Shirt, I prefer a looser, airier fit, especially for hot weather bouldering sessions.
It's expensive, but the Arc'teryx Cormac T-shirt fits me perfectly, with generous sleeves (some people HATE the sleeve length), and super-comfortable paneling design. At 4.2 ounces, it's light. The recycled polyester fabric manages to sweat really well, and I love how breathable it is. It's not the softest fabric you can find, but when climbing, I've got other discomfort issues to worry about. There's also a Silvadur antimicrobial treatment that means when I find it stuffed in my gym bag unwashed, it doesn't pong. Check out our Best Merino guide for more options in other fibers.
- Photograph: REI
A Chalk Bag
Organic Climbing Chalk BagIf you're starting out by bouldering—that is, climbing up low walls without protection, like a rope or harness—you don't need much more than shoes and some chalk in a chalk bag.
Some people spend far too much time agonizing over this piece of kit. Really, it's very simple. The chalk bag clips around your waist and gives you quick access to … you guessed it, gymnastics chalk. It dries your sweaty hands, which can keep you from slipping off a hold. Some features we look for are designs with a cinch closing to avoid spillage, plus loops for brushes (see below) for cleaning holds. I've chosen the Organic Climbing bag because they are handmade in the United States using incredibly tough 1,000-denier Cordura fabric offcuts, making it one of the most sustainable choices available. It's a barebones chalk bag, and you never know which color you'll get, but for me that adds to the charm.
If you've blown your budget on fancy shoes, however, the perfectly good Black Diamond Mojo Zip Chalk Bag can often be found on sale for as little as $12.
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- Photograph: Metolius
Don’t Forget the Chalk
Metolius Super ChalkChalk might seem optional, but you'd be crazy not to use it. The added grip across all types of rock and plastic can make all the difference. Your local climbing gym or outdoor retailer will sell chalk either as a block, loose, or in liquid form.
Block chalk can be crushed down to your preferred consistency, and it's certainly less messy before you use it. I personally don't care for it, as it can be a bit gritty, but it's all a matter of personal preference.
Loose chalk is often available to buy by the pint in climbing gyms, which helps cut packaging waste. Most brands also sell their own chalk, and we could easily do a 10,000-word deep-dive into the merits of each. We won't.
Liquid chalk is a strange mix of alcohol and chalk that you rub on your hands in small quantities. It then dries rapidly, leaving a chalky residue. It's not always ideal for people with sensitive skin, but it does keep chalk dust to a minimum.
- Photograph: Amazon
The Training Aid
Beastmaker 1000So now you're addicted (join us) and you want to improve your finger strength. The Beastmaker 1000 lets you get your daily pull-ups in without the need for a huge home gym setup. Screw into the wall above a doorway or opening and just start hanging. The wood offers good grip without destroying your skin, and with 20 pockets (fingers sized slots), jugs (big holds), and slopers (evil sloped areas that rely on friction), you can vary your workout endlessly. The Beastmaker site has a host of training plans, so you'll soon be doing one-arm lock-offs in the 10-mm pockets.
Adrienne also has a number of much smaller, cuter training aids to get those forearms nice and worked while traveling or sitting at your desk. The Captains of Crush grip trainer ($25) is a classic pick, and you can work on your forearms while watching TV with the So Ill strength trainers ($22). Alternatively, you could also save your money and just rotate your fingers in a bag of rice, but you might want to save that for eating.
- Photograph: Backcountry
The Best Climbing Harness
Black Diamond SolutionIf you want to try rope climbing, you need a harness. For most people, myself included, the Black Diamond Solution is a great all-rounder. It's well padded and super comfy, and the fixed leg loops have never given me any trouble. When you're just starting out, you'll appreciate the padding, and it has enough gear loops for carabiners and quickdraws, for when you start to get into lead and sport climbing.
Check the harness sizing carefully before buying online. The waist belt should sit snugly, and the leg loops should be comfortably secure, but not too tight. Adjustable leg loops are useful, especially if you plan to layer clothing for winter climbing conditions. Olympic climber Jesse Grupper also likes the Trango Horizon harness, which is also relatively affordable and comfortable.
- Photograph: REI
A Belay Device
Black Diamond ATC GuideThe first type of climbing you'll likely be doing is top-roping, with a fixed anchor for the rope at the top of the crag or wall. In addition to a harness, you need a trustworthy partner and a belay device. One end of the rope attaches to your harness, and the other feeds through a belay device that is attached to your partner's harness using a carabiner. If you fall, the belayer will be able to catch you easily, thanks to the belay device.
The Black Diamond ATC Guide is the benchmark to beat. Tough, versatile, and usable in the gym or outdoors, you'll see so many of these in the wild, and for good reason. Fun fact: ATC stands for “air traffic controller.” Shop around and you'll also be able to find starter kits such as the Black Diamond Big Air XP Package that also includes a locking carabiner.
- Photograph: Moosejaw
A Great First Carabiner
DMM Phantom HMS Locking CarabinerIf you're climbing with ropes, you'll need at least one carabiner. This will attach to your harness, your belay device, and the rope. There are many different carabiner shapes, sizes, weights, and gates (how they open), but if you're just starting out, a good-quality locking carabiner such as the DMM Phantom HMS screwgate is ideal.
HMS stands for “Halbmastwurfsicherung,” a German word that translates to “half clove hitch belay.” They're designed to have ropes run smoothly over them, which is ideal for belaying. A lockable carabiner is essential for belaying too, as there's zero chance of accidental opening, which is always preferable to the alternative (otherwise known as dropping your partner from 30 feet up in the air).
- Photograph: Amazon
Essential Nail Clippers
Victorinox Swiss Made Nail ClipperAs this is a beginner's guide to climbing, we will save the conversations about callus management for another time. But trust us, you'll want to keep your nails short (both toes and fingers) to avoid splitting and snapping. These Victorinox stainless steel nail clippers are small, light (0.4 ounce) and phenomenally sharp. They look good and and work brilliantly, cutting accurately and safely whether we used our left or right hands. They’re cheap, durable, and come with a splash of classic red, and they can be attached to your chalk bag for safe keeping.
- Photograph: Birkenstock
Comfy Shoes
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Suede ClogLike ballerinas, climbers get gnarly feet. And it's uncomfortable to walk to and fro tippy-tapping in climbing shoes, and you want to save the rubber for when you're actually on the wall. Arc'teryx makes slip-on Kragg shoes ($160) for when you're just shuffling around, but you don't have to get that fancy—your standard slip-on Birkenstocks or Vans will do fine for getting you to and from the gym or local crag.
- Photograph: Sterling
A High Performance Rope
Sterling Aero RopeWhen you're climbing, your rope is your best friend. It's the item that keeps you from falling and hitting the ground! There are many different kinds of ropes, but if you're starting out by top-roping inside in a gym, you want a single, dynamic rope that will stretch and give as you fall.
A thicker rope is more durable but harder to carry and maneuver into the draws. Also, keep your rope's length in mind—you want the pitch that you're climbing to be half the length of your rope in order to descend safely. So if you're climbing a 30-meter route, you need a 60-meter rope. Grupper likes this high-performance rope because it's light and easy to maneuver. Sterling's ropes are also certified by the ecological responsibility certification group Bluesign, and the company has a recycling program for dead ropes.
- Photograph: Amazon
An Essential Brush
SZENT Hold BrushYour local climbing gym will have long-handled brushes dotted around the place, but I would strongly recommend you get your own brush (or two) and start cleaning those tricky holds. Yes, you'll feel like a fraud the first few times you use them, but the difference it can make—removing caked on chalk from plastic holds—can be game changing.
What to buy? As with every aspect of climbing, there's too much choice, but generally speaking most brushes are made from boar hair, which is tough and versatile on a range of surfaces, while synthetic bristles are the most aggressive and great for indoor holds. I've been using the SZENT Hold Brush for months, and it gets right into the cracks, the handle is recycled plastic, and the boar hair has lasted well. All that being said, I do know people who use a toothbrush and get on just fine.
- Photograph: Moosejaw
A Crag Bag
Black Diamond Creek 20If you plan to tackle outdoor climbs, you'll need a backpack capable of hauling all your gear out there. The Creek 20 is the perfect size for carrying all the equipment needed for sport climbs, which is what you ought to start out climbing. While you can use a typical daypack for climbs, it helps to have a beefier pack built for the job. Rocks are abrasive and sharp, and the climbing gear that goes in your pack will be heavy. Having a hip belt and sternum strap will make lugging your climbing shoes, harness, carabiners, belay device, snacks, and clothing layers more bearable.
However, if you're just hauling your shoes, rope, chalk bag, and harness to and from your local gym, or to the local crag that acts as your outdoor gym, you don't need to tuck it all precisely in a pack. Most of the time, Adrienne just keeps her gear in the nearest tough tote. The Yeti Camino Carryall ($150) and the Rux waterproof gear tote ($150) are two recent favorites, although the Ikea tote ($7) will work fine too.
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