Whether you are climbing a rock wall in Yosemite Park or wish to climb large trees, some things are best done with specific gear. For example, you do not want to climb with running shoes as they are not designed for that type of rough terrain. In that case, you will need shoes that you can use to grip and climb on organic materials like rocks and wood. So, what is the best climbing gear?
This article reviews several products that will help you on your journey with climbing. We have done much research to help you, so without further ado, let us dive deep into it.
What is the Best Climbing Gear?
There are a few categories we will discuss today. They are as follows:
- Ropes and belays
- Shoes
- Harnesses and helmets
- Carabiners and protection
- Climbing backpacks
- Chalk
1. Ropes & Belays
Ropes and belays are essential because they keep you safe, especially when climbing large distances.
Mammut 9.5 Crag We Care Classic Climbing Rope
The first rope on our list is the Mammut 9.5 Crag We Care. This specific rope has an 8.8 impact force, meaning it is incredibly safe to use, mainly if an accident occurs and you fall. Also, the Mammut rope has a sheath proportion of 40 percent, and its UIAA fall rating is 6 to 7. Here are some other specs you would like to know before purchasing:
- Item dimensions: 27.56 L x 27.56 W x 27.56 H inches
- Item weight: 60 ounces
- Size: 70 meters
- Sport type: multi-sport
- Color: multicolor
- Department: unisex
Mammut 9.5 Crag Classic Rope
Here is another Mammut Crag classic rope. This specific rope is designed for all-around rope sports and trad climbing. The impact force is 8.8kn, and the sheath percentage is 40. However, before continuing, let us look at some more information:
- Item dimensions: 2 x 4 x 7 inches
- Item weight: 3.75 pounds
- Size: 60 or 70 meters
- Department: unisex
Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device
Moving on to the belays, we have the Petzl GRIGRI belay device, which is an excellent tool if you want something ergonomic and easy to handle. This belay can hold rope sizes 8.5 to 11 mm dynamic single ropes.
The Petzl belay is an excellent choice for those looking for something lightweight, as it only weighs 175 grams, making it a perfect accessory to your climbing collection.
It is also ideal as rope installation is engraved on the inside and outside of the device for novices and experts. This is a good feature as some people are sometimes forgetful and others are new to this sport. Here are a few more details before moving on:
- Item dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 inches
- Item weight: 175 grams
- Sport type: mountaineering and climbing
- Model year: 2018
- Item material: aluminum flanges, reinforced nylon handle, support braking cam and stainless steel
Petzl GRIGRI + Belay Device with Cam-Assisted Blocking and Anti-Panic Handle
The next belay on our list is also from Petzl, but this one comes with a cam-assisted blocking and anti-panic handle, making it an excellent choice for climbers all around.
The first thing to note is the cam-assisted blocking helps you have a comfortable belay. This means that when a climber falls or weights the rope, the cam in the belay will automatically cinch down to stop the rope.
Next, the belay comes with an anti-panic handle, meaning if you pull too hard on the handle, the anti-panic function will engage and stop the climber from declining even more. Lastly, the lockable selector knob will help you choose a lead belay mode or top rope. Selecting the top rope belay mode helps make long belay sessions more comfortable.
Some things you should know beforehand:
- Item dimensions: 5.12 x 5.12 x 1.97 inches
- Item weight: 0.2 kilograms
- Sport type: climbing
- Model year: 2018
- Item material: reinforced nylon handle, aluminum side plates, cam and wear plate, stainless steel friction plate
2. Shoes
Climbing shoes are specifically designed because they fit your foot in a way where it helps for technical climbing. This is beneficial to you as other shoes do not grip properly.
Climb X Rave Strap Climbing Shoe
The Climb X comes in many different sizes ranging from 3 to 14 US. On top of this, it is one of the top-selling products on Amazon, so you can trust that these shoes work well.
One significant benefit is that it is machine-washable. In this case, if you climb somewhere that contains a lot of mud or dirt, put it in the washer to ensure it remains clean. However, the Climb X is not waterproof, so your feet will get wet if it starts raining.
The outer sole material is a 4.2mm sticky rubber, which will perform better for you. Lastly, the entire shoe is made of recycled material. Because of this, you know your money is well worth spending!
BLACK DIAMOND Women’s Momentum Climbing Shoes
The next shoe on our list is the Black Diamond Women’s Momentum climbing shoes. These shoe sizes are anywhere between 5.5 to 10 US. This gives you wiggle room on what size fits you best. Here are some specs that will help you better:
- Contains a 4.3mm rubber built for durability and modeled for optimum performance and consistency.
- It provides 2 velcro straps to allow the shoe to fit your foot and can be adjusted accordingly.
- The shoe is flat, meaning you can climb vertically all day easily and comfortably.
- Contains a soft midsole for comfort, sensitivity, and edging ability.
SCARPA Women’s Instinct VS Rock Climbing Shoes
The SCARPA Women’s Instinct VS rock climbing shoes come in sizes 5 to 10. These shoes allow your feet to feel the rocks beneath them as they are slightly softer than the original Instinct. Also, a large rubber patch on the top gives your feet maximum coverage for bat hangs and toe hooks.
These climbing shoes are narrower and contain a lower-volume heel cup, specifically designed for women. The reserve slingshot design helps the shoe connect your heel and toe, meaning you will feel less discomfort and more power-driven toward edge surfaces.
Lastly, the SCARPA Women’s Instinct VS is great for any rock style and type because of its XS Grip 2 rubber, which is sticky and stiff, providing you with the grip you need when climbing on steep walls.
3. Harnesses & Helmets
Harnesses and helmets keep you safe during your climbing experience. You cannot go without it!
Black Diamond Unisex Vision MIPS Rock Climbing Helmet
Here is another Black Diamond item, but as a unisex helmet this time! You can select two sizes: small/medium or medium/large. It contains an adjustable strap and is EU-Type safety tested, fulfilling the basic safety requirements. Here are some other things you should know:
- The EPP + EPS + ABS shell combo creates a durable foam helmet.
- The helmet provides integrated headlamp clips.
- Contains removable and reversible velcro pads.
- Low-profile suspension system.
- It has MIPS Technology that adds protection against any rotation motion transmitted to the brain from angled impacts to the head.
BLACK DIAMOND Vapor Helmet
This Black Diamond Vapor helmet also has an EU-Type examination certificate, which complies with the applicable essential safety and health requirements. The only size this helmet comes in is small/medium. On top of that, we have a few other things to cover:
- It is geometric, meaning the helmet has an open-air design, which provides plenty of airflow. This is good if your head gets sweaty during your adventure experiences.
- The helmet provides a removable headlamp clip for reducing snagging on slings and clothing.
- Provides a ratchet adjuster with molded push buttons.
- It contains a co-molded EPS foam with a polycarbonate shell.
Petzl SAMA Unisex Harness
Here, we have the Petzl SAMA unisex harness, which comes in many sizes ranging from x-small to x-large, meaning you can pick and choose which size works best for you.
This harness is easy on the skin as it has a soft and breathable mesh interior, allowing your skin to “breathe” on hot and sunny days. Also, the material makes it easy for indoor and outdoor climbing as its elastic leg loops help it remain snug without user intervention. This means you have unrestricted movements instead of struggling to climb from point A to point B.
The Petzl harness is sport-climbing-friendly as the soft waistbelt contains flexible material that better supports your hips and back. Finally, the harness has smarter gear loops, meaning it has two large, rigid gear loops in the front and two flexible gear looks in the rear. This helps with clipping and unclipping.
X XBEN Thicken Climbing Harness
Whether you are ziplining, doing tree work, rock climbing, or providing emergency rescues, you can use the X XBEN Thicken climbing harness for almost anything you need or desire! This harness is a one-size-fits-all. The waist can go from 19.6″ to 51.2″, and the leg portion is 15.7″ to 32″.
The harness is solid and secure, made of high-strength polyester. The connections and webbing are incredibly sturdy, with reinforced ends to protect your safety. The harness weight limit is 661 pounds, and its breaking strength is 14KN. The X XBEN is also CE-certified.
4. Carabiners & Protection
We use carabiners for connecting ropes, building anchors, and carrying gear. On the flip side, a camalot secures ropes while rock climbing.
BLACK DIAMOND Camalot Z4 Rock Climbing Cam
This 20-gram climbing camalot comes in multiple sizes:
- 0
- 0.5
- 0.3
- 0.4
- 0.2
- 0.75
- 0.1
Not only that but there is a bit more information that you should know about this item:
- It contains a narrow head width for tight placements.
- The item is lightweight but contains a durable Dynex sling with a unique color scheme that helps quickly identify it from other camalots.
- It comes with a dual-twisted cable construction for larger sizes; it contains a single cable construction for smaller sizes.
- It has a sandblasted lobe for better-holding power.
BLACK DIAMOND Equipment Camalot Ultralight Rock Climbing Protection
The next camalot on our list is the Black Diamond ultralight rock climbing protection, which comes in six colors and one size, 0.5. This item weighs 2.4 ounces, and the dimensions are 14.17 x 4.72 x 4.72 inches. Down below is some more information you should know before purchasing:
- It has a 14mm Dyneema tape sliding.
- Ergonomically optimized thumb and stem-loop for surgically precision placements.
- It has color coding for easy identification.
- The Dyneema core stem design is durable, strong, and low-profile.
- It has a double-axle design and offers a wide range for each cam unit.
Black Diamond Equipment Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraw
The Black Diamond Hotforge hybrid quickdraw is equipped with an 18mm polyester dogbone with a straightjacket. It also has a snag-free keylock top carabiner for easy bolt clipping. Lastly, the Black Diamond clip is colored for a visual target while climbing.
DMM Peenut Nut Set
This DMM Peenut nut set comes in a set of 5, and all are different sizes. The colors are green, red, silver, purple, and grey, weighing 60 grams.
5. Climbing Backpacks
A climbing backpack is specifically designed for those carrying heavy gear. Using a climbing backpack is practical and safer than putting it elsewhere on your body, like your hips. Not only that, but if you will be climbing all day, you will need somewhere to stop and eat a good, tasty meal! Here are our top three options.
Notch Approach Arborist Climbing Rope Gear Bag
This 50-liter bag is specifically designed for climbing. This makes it an essential asset to your climbing adventure, especially climbing high heights.
The Notch Approach Arborist climbing rope gear weighs 2.7 pounds, and the dimensions are 19 x 13 x 9.5 inches long. It is made out of PVC material and 1600 denier fabric material. This bag is sturdy and designed with reinforced sides to help it stand upright when empty.
PETZL Unisex Kliff Accessory For Climbing
Yet another Petzl accessory, this backpack is perfect for climbing as it contains 36 liters of storage, making it straightforward to store up to 100 meters of rope and other climbing gear you might need, like shoes, quickdraws, and harnesses.
If you want a specific place to store your keys, wallet, phone, etc., a zippered pocket is available. Make sure it is comfortable on your back with the adjustable foam straps.
Osprey Mutant 38L Climbing and Mountaineering Backpack
The Osprey Mutant climbing and mountaineering backpack is 38 liters in size, making it a fantastic tool for climbing big heights. It weighs 2.69 pounds without anything in it.
The backpack has a 3-point haul system, meaning it goes on your waist and arms, making it easier to carry anything inside the backpack.
6. Chalk
Some climbers get sweaty palms when doing this sport. To ensure a better grip, it’s wise to invest in chalk. Below are two great options!
BLACK DIAMOND White Gold Loose Rock Climbing Chalk for Hand Grip
This Black Diamond rock climbing chalk is 200 grams, meaning it will last a long time! It comes in loose chalk, making it easy to apply on your hands, especially if they are sweaty. Many customers say this chalk sticks to their hands well and love the texture, quality, and overall performance.
Friction Labs Premium Sports Chalk
If you walk a chalk with texture options, Friction Labs premium sports chalk is your best friend! This 170-gram bag of goodness comes in three textures:
- Chunky (Gorilla Grip)
- Fine (Unicorn Dust)
- Super chunky (Bam Bam)
This specific chalk is engineered to be applied to your hands fewer times than other chalks, making it last much longer. It is also made out of non-toxic, silica-free, and pigment-free material. This company prides itself on refining all toxic and artificial agents to ensure your hands do not dry out quickly and damage your skin.
Do I Need Climbing Shoes for Climbing?
No, you do not necessarily need climbing shoes, although it helps tremendously! However, climbing shoes provide better natural balance and support when standing on footholds of all sizes.
On the other hand, many people have climbed barefoot, so this may be another option for you, especially if you have been climbing for a long time and know what you are doing. Plus, it will help you be more in tune with nature this way as you feel it touches the Earth on your feet!
Can You Rock Climb without Chalk?
Climbing with chalk is unnecessary, but we highly recommend it as it is better for your safety. Other alternatives for those who do not have climbing chalk on them are gymnastics chalk or liquid chalk. Chalk essentially helps enhance your grip and helps those who have sweaty palms.
Final Thoughts
Whether rock climbing indoors or outdoors, using any of the above gear is an excellent choice for your overall safety and well-being. We hope this article has come in handy. If you need any more information, please check out our other articles!