Intro to Outdoor Climbing
MUST HAVE 🎯
The first gear you should buy is the Personal Essentials. Helmet, Harness, & Shoes. These are the basic items every climber will need to bring, unless otherwise provided by a guide service.
Helmet: Protects your head from falling rocks or bumps. Climbing helmets are lightweight and designed for impact resistance.
Harness: This is your lifeline, connecting you to the rope. A good harness is adjustable, comfortable, and has gear loops for carrying equipment.
Climbing Shoes: Specialized shoes with sticky rubber soles for better grip on rock. They should fit snugly but not painfully, like a sock.
Welcome to the first step of your outdoor rock climbing journey! Last lesson, you learned why climbing outside is so special and got a taste of climbing ethics. This lesson, we’re diving into the personal climbing gear you’ll need to climb safely and comfortably. We’ll cover the essentials, what you should start off buying and wait to buy, and tips for choosing gear that fits you properly. Let’s get started!
Essential Climbing Gear
For Top Rope climbing (our focus as beginners), you’ll need specific gear to keep you safe and make climbing fun. Here’s what you need to know:
When to Buy?
As a beginner, you don’t need to buy everything right away. Here’s a breakdown:
Buy Early: Invest in a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes. These are personal items that need to fit well and will be used every time you climb.
Tip: Buy used gear from reputable sources (like The Boulder Sports Recycler or trusted climbers) to save money, but inspect it carefully for wear.
Wait to Buy: Hold off on buying expensive items like belay device, ropes, quickdraw, or trad gear until you’re sure you ready to dive into climbing and understand your needs.
Tips for Fitting Gear
Harness: Try it on! It should sit snugly around your waist and thighs without pinching. Adjust leg loops for comfort, and ensure the waist strap has excess tail when tightened. Women-specific harnesses often fit better for female climbers.
Helmet: Look for an adjustable, lightweight climbing helmet (not a bike helmet). It should sit securely without wobbling and cover your forehead.
Climbing Shoes: Shoes should feel snug but not painful—your toes should touch the tip of the climbing shoe and fit like a sock. Walk around in them for 5-10 minutes to check comfort. Beginners should choose “neutral” or “moderate” shoes (not aggressive downturned ones) for all-day comfort. Comfort and looks over performance at this stage.
Pro Tip: Sizes vary by brand, so try multiple pairs. Renting shoes at the gym can be a good way to test fit. Ask for help to find the right fit. Don’t let them talk you into downsizing!
WAIT TO BUY ⏳
After you have your Personal Climbing Gear, look for the Essentials for Top Roping Outdoors. This will allow you and another climbing partner with their own Personal Climbing gear, to Top Rope limited locations outdoors.
Belay Device: Used by your partner to manage the rope and catch you if you fall. Common types include ATCs or the Petzl Gri-Gri.
Safety Note: Ensure the belay device matches your rope’s diameter (check the rope’s specs).
Rope: A dynamic climbing rope (typically 60-70 meters) absorbs the force of a fall. For top rope, you’ll need a single rope rated for climbing.
Safety Note: Inspect ropes for cuts, fraying, or soft spots before every use.
Quickdraws or Slings: These connect the rope to anchors or bolts. For top rope, you’ll often use pre-set anchors, but it’s good to have a couple of quickdraws or slings.
Locking Carabiners: Used to secure the rope to anchors or your harness. Look for ones rated for climbing (not keychain carabiners!).
Practical Exercise: Gear Hunt & Fit Check
Challenge: Visit a local outdoor store or climbing gym to try on a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes. Pay attention to how they feel—write down what you liked or didn’t like about each.
Reflection: Research one piece of gear (e.g., harness or shoes) online. Compare two brands (like Black Diamond or Petzl) and note their price, features, and reviews. Which would you choose and why?
Safety Practice: Watch a short video (YouTube or climbing gym resources) on how to inspect a harness or rope for wear. Practice checking a friend’s harness or an old rope (if available) for damage. The general rule of thumb is, retire soft goods every 5 years and hard goods every 10. This assumes regular wear and proper storage.