The Best Beginner Rock Climbing Gear

Climbing Shoes

When looking for climbing shoes, you want to find ones that fit you well and are also comfortable. You don’t need expensive shoes when you are starting. Just make sure they are durable. Shoes with velcro straps are good because they are easy to put on and take off.

Climb Fit regularly has nights when you can try on different climbing shoes from different brands. Trying on and testing the shoes is important when investing in a pair. We often hear from people who bought shoes online without trying them on and found out they don’t fit properly!

Climbing shoes fit people in a certain way and have different features, such as the shape of the toes, rubber compounds, and how stiff or flexible they are. It would help if you thought about all these things before buying a pair of climbing shoes.

Harness

Any harness from a famous brand should be fine if you start climbing. The most important thing is that the harness fits well. There are different harnesses for men and women, so ensure you get a harness that fits your body shape well. It should fit comfortably above your hips and not dip down at the front where you attach the rope – this is a common mistake beginner make.

Some additional tips for harness choice

• Look for something comfortable. Ideally, it would help if you sat in the harness on a rope to see how it feels when you are weighed down.

• Not all expensive harnesses are the best to start with. Some are light but not as comfortable.

• Make sure the backpack you choose has enough gear loops for the trips you want to take in the future. Also, choose a color that complements your attire.

• Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before use.

Liquid Chalk

Many indoor climbing gyms are using Liquid Chalk. It goes on as a liquid, but it dries up and becomes the same chalk you are used to.

Liquid chalk lasts longer than regular chalk. Liquid chalk also creates less dust than regular chalk. Some liquid chalks come in a small package that you can attach to your belt. Other liquid chalks come in a bottle that you can use more freely.

However, not all chalk is the same. Different brands have different formulas, and the way they turn it into a liquid can be different. As a general rule, use the same brand of loose chalk you usually use to get the best results.

Chalk Bag

A chalk bag is important for climbers, especially beginners. Any simple chalk bag will work fine, but it’s important to pick a design that speaks your language when shopping for a new kit.

Make sure that your chalk bag closes so the chalk doesn’t spill and that it fits comfortably in your hand. It should also have loops to attach to a strap or harness and a zipper pocket for brushes, finger tape, or money.

Chalk

When you are starting, it is essential to remember to bring your chalk with you. Chalk helps you grip the rocks better and keeps your hands from getting sore. You don’t need to worry about the chalk brand when you start. You will hardly notice any difference.

Climbing chalk is similar to the chalk weightlifters, and gymnasts use. It is a white powder that aids in the drying of your hands and fingers. You can also buy finger tape to add more protection to your hands and fingers. If you want to learn more about chalk, check out this article by Adrian Mascenon that covers the top brand picks and how they differ.

Belay Device

When you think about a belay device, you should consider the whole system. The locking carabiner is an important part of this system, so make sure that the carabiner doesn’t spin on your harness. It can make using the belay device difficult.

You will want to find a design that makes it easy for the rope to move. Some devices have teeth that create more friction. It can be helpful if your climbing partner is heavier. Make sure the device fits the diameter of your rope and that the holes are not too small, making it difficult to take in and give out slack quickly.

Climbing Rope

Just because something is expensive does not mean it is more substantial or safer. A lot of costly ropes are thin and light but not hard-wearing. Ropes are classified into two types: static and dynamic. You want a dynamic rope if you’re going to use it for all forms of climbing. A static rope cannot be used to lead since it has little to no flexibility to buffer the stress of a fall.

A rope’s diameter and length are essential.

• 9.8-10.2mm is an ideal starting diameter because it is robust and manageable. It would be beneficial to think about how long your rope should be depending on where you intend to climb.

• Most applications should be acceptable at 60-70m.

Having your climbing rope is very important for safety reasons. You might risk your safety if you borrow an old, overused rope.

To protect your rope, make sure you don’t drag it over sharp edges or expose it to your dog. Be cautious because dogs may mistake it for a chew toy. Take care of your rope because it is a vital investment.

Climbing Rope Bag

It can be tough to organize your rope when you are a beginner. A rope bag with enough space for your rope is a good idea. If you can find one that opens and spreads out easily so you can easily grab and store your rope, that’s the one you should get. Avoid wasting time trying to put your rope in the bag. It will simply serve to dissuade you from utilizing it.

You will also want to find a rope bag with a tarp. The tarp should be big enough to protect the rope from getting dirty when you are using it.

Quickdraws

Quickdraws are an essential part of any beginner’s climbing gear. Quickdraws help protects you in the event of a fall by attaching bolts to the rock. It is recommended that beginners have a minimum of 8-12 quickdraws when climbing.

A short quick draw doesn’t mean you will fall less, so you don’t need a special sling. Your bottom carabiner should not be too small because it will make it hard to clip the rope in. The sling part of the quickdraw shouldn’t be too thin because it will make it lighter but harder to hold. You will do much of this when you start leading – trust us!

Locking Carabiners

Locking carabiners are important for safety reasons. It would be preferable always to use a locking carabiner to ensure the biner does not come undone. Locking carabiners come in different shapes and sizes; some have complicated locking mechanisms. However, you don’t need anything too complicated at this point.

Choose a good, reputable brand of screwgate carabiner that is smooth to operate and not too small. You could also use a special belay biner that is better for belaying. These biners usually have a section that keeps them from spinning and cross-loading on the belay loop of your harness.

Slings

When working on an anchor at the top of a climbing route, you can use a sling to help you. A sling can be attached to your harness and clipped into a bolt or chains.

The slings will help you remove your quickdraws from the anchor. It is very important when threading your rope through the ring to rappel down a route. An 80cm sling is a good starting point. This way, your sling will be about 80 cm long. If it’s any longer, it will be difficult for you to sit close to the anchor while rethreading it.

Rock Climbing Gear Guide

Buying gear can be confusing and stressful if you are a beginner rock climber. Do not worry; we have some recommendations to help you. We searched through much different gear to find the best entry-level gear that is safe and performs well.

Before buying any gear, think about the type of climbing you want. Indoor gyms have both bouldering and roped climbing. Outdoor places have different types of climbing, like bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing.

Black Diamond Momentum and Primrose Harnesses

When choosing the first climbing harness, it is important to consider comfort, functionality, safety, and affordability. After considering these factors, the Black Diamond Men’s Momentum and Women’s Solution lines are good places to start.

Both harnesses are very comfortable, with enough padding on the waist strap and leg loops. There are four gear loops on each harness, which is plenty of space to store quickdraws, belay devices, and even cams if you start trad climbing. As for safety, Black Diamond is a well-known and respected company in the United States. You can trust that these harnesses have been rigorously tested to withstand extreme loads. And finally, these harnesses are available at a great price.

Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet

When climbing outside, always wear a helmet! Even if you are an experienced climber, there may be times when it is not safe to climb without a helmet. Beginners should always wear a helmet until they have enough experience to know when to climb without one.

Petzl GriGri Belay Device

The GriGri is a belay device that helps to stop a person from falling. It does this by pinching the rope whenever it moves quickly. It happens when the person falls. The cam inside the GriGri helps to brake the fall.

Petzl Reverso

If you are rappelling outdoors, you will need an ATC-style belay device. This device can also be used for belaying, but it is not as safe as other devices. We suggest the Petzl Reverso, an excellent choice for rappelling and can also be set up to belay a partner on multi-pitch climbs.

Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraw Pack

The Black Diamond HotWires are an excellent choice for quality, durable quickdraws that don’t cost a lot. As a beginner, you don’t need the most expensive gear and shouldn’t search for the cheapest equipment on the market. The HotWires are perfect for those looking for quality entry-level gear that will last for years.

Mammut 9.8 mm Eternity Classic Climbing Rope

The Mammut Eternity Classic is a perfect beginner’s climbing rope. It is 9.8mm thick and has a durable sheath that can withstand the abuse of typical beginners. Plus, it has a UIAA fall rating of 9, which means it can handle more falls as you learn how to climb.

The rope has a middle marker to help you find the middle. It also includes all of the essential safety features and is reasonably priced. The rope is also eco-friendly because it has the Bluesign seal of approval.

The Mammut Eternity Classic rope is a good choice for different types of climbing. The 60m length is suitable for new climbers, but the 70m and 80m lengths have added benefits for longer outdoor routes. If you’ll mostly be climbing in a gym, the Eternity Classic also comes in a 40m length.

Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock or GridLock

Many locking carabiners have a problem: you must remember to lock them. But Black Diamond has come out with a new kind of locking carabiner that doesn’t have that problem. It is called the Magnetron, and it uses two magnets in the gate to automatically lock the carabiner when it is closed.

The carabiner is not cheap, but purchasing one or two Magnetron RockLocks for personal anchor systems affords a much greater margin of safety. The GridLock is the Moja Gear staff pick for belaying because it has dual safety features: a locking mechanism and protection against cross-loading.

Petzl Connect Adjust

Personal anchors can be touchy, but let’s clarify one thing: don’t use a daisy chain as your anchor! Most personal anchors are still made of nylon or Dyneema, which absorbs little energy during a fall. To solve this, Petzl created the Connect Adjust, which uses the dynamic rope to handle an accidental fall better. Additionally, it features an adjustable arm that makes repositioning a breeze.