Getting out and climbing rock walls and boulders is not easy. Despite receiving training and using all safety measures possible, there is still risk. This is why a climber needs to have the right climbing gear, especially a beginner.
If you aren’t aware of the types of climbing equipment you need, we have prepared a checklist for you. With this, you can quickly gather all the required rock climbing gear without missing anything.
What's The Equipment You Need For Outdoor Rock And Boulder Climbing?
Climbing Apparel
The first thing you will need for climbing is the proper apparel. For men, loose pants or shorts are better, which won't restrict the movement of the legs. For the upper garment, a sleeveless T-shirt or a tank top will work the best. However, for women, shorts coupled with tank tops and sports bras are ideal. While choosing the clothes for rock climbing, remember the following tips:
- The clothes should be loose enough to avoid sticking to your skin due to sweating.
- You need lightweight clothing which will let the air pass through and keep you cool.
- Also, do not choose clothes that might restrict your mobility or act as a hurdle.
Rock Climbing Shoes
You need the best rock climbing shoes out there, which should give you proper grip on a rougher surface to avoid slipping. In addition, both men and women climbers have to buy sneakers or boots for outdoor climbing. However, while choosing footwear, you need to keep these factors in mind.
- The shoes must have a thick sole so that your feet won't suffer the shock of sharp rocks.
- They should be flexible so that you can bend the feet as the rock contours.
- Check how much space there is between your toes and the shoes' tips. It should have minimal distance but must not restrict the movement of your toes.
- The shoes must fit around your feet snugly so that the footwear doesn’t come off while climbing.
Ropes, Harnesses, Belay Devices, And Locking Carabiners
There are mainly four types of safety tools that every climber should have, regardless of whether you have practiced before or not. These are the four significant climbing accessories that you will need.
- Ropes: You need the most robust rope to climb the mountain slopes. There are two primary ropes: dynamic ropes for absorbing the shock if a mishap happens and the static ropes.
- Harnesses: Climbing harnesses are made from high-quality stainless steel that won't get corroded easily. With the help of the harness, you can attach your protective gear with the rope for anchoring.
- Belay devices: With the help of belay devices, you will protect yourself from falling. It will catch your fall and help in absorbing the sudden strain on the ropes. You need to get the best belay device with proper stability and strength to hold your weight.
- Locking Carabiner: These carabiners are locking gear which will provide you double protection. Each carabiner comes with gates that can be closed either manually with a screw or automatically. The number of carabiners that you need will depend on the type of outdoor climbing.
Clinging Chalk Powder
You will often see the hands of the climbers being painted with a white, chalky powder. The chalk gets the white color from magnesium carbonate. Besides, the powders also have iron and other carbonate compounds.
The use of climbing chalk powder will help you grip the rocks more securely without slipping. In addition, your hands won't get clammy due to sweat, especially the palms. So make sure to get the best chalk that can stay longer on your hand and inside the palm.
Final Words
Rock climbing is one of the most adventurous activities, all thanks to the thrill of climbing cliffs and mountain boulders. The view one can get while climbing the mountains is paramount. However, being a beginner, you need to pay special attention to the climbing gear you are buying. They should be strong, sturdy, and robust.
