Rock Climbing Gear for Beginners

Are you looking to delve into the sport of rock climbing?

Although rock climbing is becoming more common, it’s still a sport enjoyed by only 2.7 percent of the U.S. population. A large part of this exclusivity is that rock climbing requires such a significant degree of essential equipment.

After all, a sport as serious as rock climbing is certain to require serious gear. Not only is this gear going to ensure that you’re as safe as possible throughout the climb, but it’s also going to help you become a better and more confident climber.

If you’re getting ready for your first climb, you’re going to want to read this first. To help, we’re sharing our list that covers all of the essential rock climbing gear for beginners.

Once you have this gear in tow, you’re all set to embrace on your first climb!

1. Rock Climbing Shoes

First and foremost, let’s start by finding the best shoes for your climb.

When it comes to buying your shoes, not just any sporting shoe will do. Instead, it’s essential to opt for rock climbing shoes specifically.

These will provide your feet with the right support and grip that is necessary for your climb. Without this added grip, it’s going to be challenging for you to embark on a successful climb. This is why all rock climbing shoes have a rubber toe at the front of the shoe.

2. Chalk

When you’re on a serious climb, you’re going to notice that your hands, fingers, and palms become seriously sweaty. This is especially the case when the sun is strong and the temperatures are soaring.

This is where your chalk comes into play is going to be your savior on a hot, outdoorsy day of climbing. The chalk helps to keep your hands dry and helps to minimize the amount of moisture on your hands.

In turn, you can look forward to having a far superior grip on your climbs.

3. Chalk Bag

While not an absolute essential, a chalk bag is incredibly handy and a practice used by all the best climbs.

Put simply, this is a small bag that is used to house your chalk. Some climbers will keep their chalk bag on the ground while other, more intense climbers will bring their chalk bag with them.

In a chalk bag, you’re typically looking for something small, sealable and with the ability to easily clip onto your climbing bag.

4. Harness

When it comes to rock climbing, your harness is your lifeline.

This harness surrounds your waist and then goes around both upper thighs. The harness is used to secure you to your rope or to an anchor point.

In terms of men and women, the harness is slightly different. For women, the rise of the harness should be longer to accommodate wider hips. This harness should also curve more to fit the natural curvature of the women’s body.

5. Climbing Pack

A climbing pack is a compact backpack that can house a number of your climbing possessions.

Of course, any small hiking bag should do the trick for an average climb. However, there are perks to a climbing-specific bag that will be advantageous to an experienced or passionate climber.

The perk of a climbing-specific pack is that the opening of the pack is typically wider. This makes it significantly more easy to access in the middle of a climb. This type of pack also generally has more gear loopholes throughout.

6. Belay Device

Your delay device is an essential part of your rocking climbing gear checklist.

The belay device is used to control the rope during the belaying process. In a way, this acts as the break on a rope by applying friction to it. All in all, it’s an integral element in the safety of rock climbing.

The most common type of belay device is the tubular belay. This is best for beginners and is best for trad climbing, sport climbing and gym climbing.

7. Rope

When you determine which rope you’re going to use, it’s best to look at the type and then the size.

When you first start climbing, you’re going to want to opt for a single-rope. type This is the perfect rope for beginners and a great introduction to rock climbing. After the single rope, you can look into transitioning to half ropes and twin ropes.

In terms of sizes, beginners should opt for a standard 60-meter rope. These ropes are lighter and should help to make the climb slightly easier.

8. Rope Bag

Next, it’s time to find a place to call home for your new rope.

Without a rope bag, your rope is all the more likely to become a disorganized cluster of knots. This is also the best way to ensure that your rope remains clean and in top-notch condition.

When searching for the perfect rope bag, be sure to keep in mind packability, ease of use and carrying comfort.

9. Helmet

When it comes to rock climbing, it’s absolutely imperative to ensure that you’re protecting yourself.

Most importantly, you’re going to want to take serious measures to protect your skull. This is where your helmet comes into play. Not only does a helmet protect you in the unfortunate event of falling, but it also protects you from any falling boulders or rocks above.

In choosing a helmet, look for one that is able to remain stable on your head. The fit of the helmet is arguably the most important factor in choosing a helmet. As a general rule, the back of the helmet should fall below a few inches below the front.

10. Quickdraws

When you converse with a rock climber, you’re going to hear them mention their quickdraws.

Also known as “extenders,” the quickdraws are the pieces of equipment that allow the climbing rope to run through the bolt anchors while leading.

So, how many quickdraws do you need?

In general, the number of quickdraws that you require really depends on the type of climbing that you do. In general, you should aim to have between six to 12 quickdraws. For a longer and more intense climb, it’s always best to have an increased number of quickdraws.