Best climbing gear for beginners The Premium Ropewalker kit also has a super-efficient SRS Ropewalker setup. Many of these reviews are focused on gear for folks that have been climbing for a while, so we used our own judgment to find harnesses Apr 24, 2025 · Best Climbing Shoes at a Glance. It can also be intimidating, given all of the gear and lingo that comes with it. Rock climbing gear for improvers . In the beginning, you can use your regular hiking backpack, however once you get ropes and more gear, you’ll want a climbing specific rope bag. Why Get A Beginner Belay Device? Apr 4, 2025 · The leg loops and waist belt are super comfortable while climbing, walking around the crag, or belaying your partner on their project. Important Specs; 3. Tip: Always inspect your gear before climbing—whether you own it or rent Rope Climbing Kits contain all the gear needed to enter the tree using rope and throw line in a Moving Rope System (MRS). Apr 16, 2025 · From boulders to big walls, our roundup of climbing gear on the market has something for everyone. But if the very thought of wearing too-tight shoes makes your toes curl, check out Scarpa’s Helix. Nov 11, 2020 · BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND USE FOR MEN. Related: The Best Climbing Shoes for Women Sep 16, 2024 · What beginners need to know about climbing shoes; Some FAQs About First-time Shoes; The best shoes for beginners; Leveling up: kicks that can take you all the way; Section divider Part 1. Not only can you try on a variety of shoes here – the most important thing to remember when buying the best climbing shoes is that they fit properly – but you can get some great personal advice from other climbers whose job it is to know Apr 28, 2022 · The best climbing training gear for gaining grip strength for climbing are fingerboards / hangboards because they’re designed entirely for your forearms and fingers. Hit the mats with the best climbing gear for indoor top roping, leading, and bouldering. My wife and I have been climbing in a gym for about a year and took our first trip outside last weekend. Our Top 10 Best Climbing Gear For Beginners Reviews 01 Unigear Spikes for Shoes to Walk on Ice Aug 16, 2020 · To research the best climbing harnesses for beginners, we read reviews from Alpinist, Outdoor Gear Lab, Gear Institute, Weigh My Rack, Epic TV, Adventure Junkies, Splitter Choss, and Rock and Ice (see Sources). Instead, you might be looking for the best climbing rope for the money — the climbing rope that offers the most bang for your buck. Finding the best climbing gear for beginners can be a challenge, but we’ve got you covered with these essential tips. Jeremy Rellosa. By Joe Knapp Published: Sep 21, 2022 5:32 PM EDT May 13, 2021 · We’ve field tested plenty of climbing shoes. At the very basic level, you're going to need a foot ascender. It works great, it's probably my favorite, but I'm a little bit partial. After all, that’s why we are here. Cutting feet is just another chance to show off your climbing shoes. Sean McNally Apr 25, 2024 · Indoor Rock Climbing Gear. Best climbing shoes Nov 14, 2022 · Our Selection of the Best Climbing Ropes of 2025. Best for Beginners & Gym Use: Black Diamond ATC-XP. Apr 4, 2025 · Over the past decade, our climbing experts tested over 40 different climbing ropes, with the 13 best models on the market in our current review. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, the right pair of climbing shoes is essential. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Mammut Crag Classic 9. Over the past decade, our team has tested over 45 of the best climbing shoes for women. 7–28. Aug 5, 2022 · The best rock climbing gear for beginners, including climbing shoes, climbing harnesses, belay devices, climbing helmets, and climbing apparel, from brands like La Sportiva, Feb 8, 2020 · Thankfully, you can buy rock climbing starter kits to jumpstart your newfound climbing addiction. 5 ($28o) Climbing Ropes 101 Apr 27, 2021 · Best Climbing Gear 6 Best Belay Devices. Best Home Climbing Training Equipment For Finger and Grip Strength After you choose these criteria, your decision making will be much easier, and you will be able to buy the most suitable one for you. true. Climbing Helmet. Dec 10, 2024 · The tried-and-true Sama and Selena harnesses from Petzl ($80) have earned our top spot for several years running. You can also climb and work the tree with the MRS setup, when spikes are not appropriate. Here are our in-depth reviews! Feb 7, 2024 · Beginner climbing harnesses typically have a comfortable amount of padding, adjustable leg loops, and a sufficient number of gear loops for carrying basic climbing gear. Tree Climbing Equipment for SRT/SRS Climbing. You might outgrow the sport ATC eventually, but the harness, chalk bag, and locking 'biner will last you well into your climbing career. Aug 12, 2020 · This article covers gear for top-roping and sport climbing routes for beginners tagging along with more experienced climbers. Dec 10, 2024 · The Best Deals on Beginner Climbing Gear You don’t need to shell out a ton of cash to get into the sport. For our beginner recommendations, check out our guide to the best beginner climbing shoes. The Momentum Harness pack is a great beginner option, and at $99 bucks, an absolute steal. Here are the best deals on the essentials. 6 ($200-240) Best Safety Feature: Trango Red Flag Agility 9. Besides the big three, there are several accessories that can improve your bouldering experience. The ideal pair will offer the fit and performance that match your climbing style so you can tackle the wall more confidently. We start off with the best climbing shoes, arguably the most important item in your pack. Getting the wrong shoe can cause issues during a climb, so it’s crucial to know how to select the right pair. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. Looking for the best climbing chalk to dry out sweaty tips and improve friction? We researched over 30 different options, then settled on 10 of the best and most popular choices for inclusion in this comparative, side-by-side review. For our sport climbing recommendations, check out our guide to the best sport climbing shoes. • Fits Thigh Sizes: 17. I wear the Notch Jet Step. 11 votes, 23 comments. It includes a tree climbing spikes and flipline for spur climbing, backed up with a Moving Rope System. There’s good reason the La Sportive Tarantulace is REI’s best-selling climbing shoe. The current versions carry the same reliable, streamlined build that many climbers Gear Needed for Rock Climbing. We combine our best-selling items to create these ideal kits for any type of climbing situation or application. Mammut, black diamond, petzl, edelrid, wild country, dmm, etc all make them. If you're going to be climbing SRT, you are going to need a little bit more equipment. Wedge yourself between a rock and a hard place in style (if not comfort) with our pick of the best rock climbing gear going. In this article, we'll dive into May 14, 2021 · The best place to get cheap climbing shoes is always your friendly local climbing or outdoor gear store. Weighing less than 10oz and holding up to 4KN (4000 kg), the Epic Peak Rescue Figure 8 Descender is your one stop shop multi-functional descender. Jul 22, 2024 · Some climbers seek out ultra-snug-fitting shoes on purpose, in the name of increased precision. Apr 22, 2025 · The Best Climbing Shoes for Women. Jul 30, 2023 · Beginner bouldering gear. The Beginners' Complete Tree Climbing kit is a full set of climbing gear to get started in tree work. 2 ($245) Best High-End Redpointer: Black Diamond 9. Lightweight, rugged and auto locking, this thing is build to for anything. However, for beginners, a standard all-around harness is a good place to start. And, eventually, you'll want a full set of your own climbing gear. Apr 24, 2025 · Best Lightweight All-Rounder: Fixe Oliana 9. 9: Best Triple-Rated Rope. If you’re just trying out climbing for the first time, you might want to rent some gear from the climbing gym. The Gear packages listed here covers sport climbing, trad climbing, and bouldering. Important Specs; 4. We took to our local sport crags, famous multi-pitch destinations, and the big mountains to conduct our side-by-side tests. Feb 29, 2024 · The Best Climbing Chalk. So let’s climb on and get started! For more of our top climbing gear Jun 21, 2024 · Chances are you’ll need to hike to the crag with your gear so you’ll want a good backpack. See full list on 99boulders. It combines comfort and performance and are ideal for anything from afternoons spent bouldering to daylong multi-pitch sessions. Aug 7, 2024 · Rock climbing gear for beginners Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored It can seem like there are a lot of climbing essentials , but you don’t need to go all out right at the start. And it’s also where we go to socialize, both meeting up with besties and building new belaytionships. Bartlett’s climbing kits take the guesswork and headaches out of which gear should be paired together. But, how do you choose the right equipment? Don’t worry. The Jayne (and the Jay, its counterpart for men) is a comfortable harness that Jun 13, 2024 · I tested nine of the best tree saddles on the market to narrow your search. This is a foot ascender that we helped design. 2: Best Half Ropes Dec 19, 2021 · Finding the best women’s rock climbing shoes for beginners can seem overwhelming at first. We have everything that's needed in a gym (shoes, harness, ATC, grigri, etc. The ATC-XP lacks a guide mode, so it won’t handle multi-pitch well Feb 12, 2024 · In terms of the best belay device, the Petzl Grigri 2 is a no brainer. Rock climbing can be an exhilarating adventure into the vertical realm. The 3D mesh padding is extremely breathable, and also extends over the edge of the waist belt for extra comfort when you’re hanging on the wall or belaying your partner while they’re working a hard climb. top of page Dec 16, 2019 · The best rock climbing gear for beginners. We put this kit together with high-quality tree gear that balances features with affordability From the best climbing shoes for beginners to the specific materials you should look out for, here’s everything you need to know as you start out. Aug 6, 2024 · Whether you're indoor climbing—or pulling on plastic, as traditionalists like to say—or going outside to climb on rock, you'll need some gear to get started. Picking a Tree Climbing Kit for Beginners . Important Specs; 2. The three main pieces of gear you need to start bouldering are climbing shoes, a crash pad and a chalk bag to keep your hands dry. Spur Climbing Kits contain just the spurs, harness, and wire-core flipline - the essential gear for climbing a tree on spur. The Wild Country Helium 3. Beginner Rock Climbing Gear List Sep 14, 2020 · – Best Assisted Braking Device For Beginners – Top Roping – Grigri Plus – Best Assisted Braking Device For Beginners – Lead Climbing – Beal Birdie – Best Beginner Tube Style Belay Device – Black Diamond ATC Guide – Cheapest Beginner Belay Device Set – Black Diamond ATC XP Package. But there's more. We want to go back in a month but are lacking outdoor gear. You can use them for all-day wear right out of the box. It’s the place we go to send in shelter when weather’s inclement. We’ve pulled together our top suggestions for the best climbing ropes for beginners, along with your essential buying guide so you know exactly what to look for when purchasing your first rope. It’s where we train—fingers, body, and mind. Jun 24, 2024 · Best for Technical Alpine Climbing: Blue Ice Choucas Pro; Best for Mountaineering: Petzl Altitude; Best for Projecting: Arc’teryx AR-395a; Best For Multi-Pitch: Petzl Sitta; How I Tested the Best Climbing Harnesses The author climbed and performed crevasse rescue training in the best climbing harnesses. Once you start to advance, you’ll need to add a bit more gear to Nov 14, 2024 · An entry-level shoe seen on beginners and intermediate climbers alike, the La Sportiva Finale ($130) is not only an amazing bang for your buck but an extremely well-made shoe for all-day climbing Mar 21, 2021 · We field tested 11 of the best quickdraws for climbing in 2025 from top brands like Petzl, Mad Rock, & Black Diamond. Check out the weekly beginner's thread on r/climbing, this gets asked all the time there. ). If you start out at a gym or climb with a guide, necessary equipment is usually provided. For your first pair, get the cheapest shoes that fit you. These harnesses are designed to be user-friendly, with features that are easy to understand and adjust, making them ideal for new rock climbers. 5 days ago · Below, we recommend the top two items in each category. Importance: Recommended Feb 8, 2020 · Climbing shoes, approach shoes, mountaineering, and ski boots are all crafted with great quality and care. Edelweiss Oxygen II SuperEverDry 8. The Jay is a fantastic beginner harness, featuring easy adjustments of the waist belt and the waist padding. Edelrid Swift Eco Dry 8. Jul 30, 2021 · The best climbing gear for indoor use, outdoor climbing and belaying, including the best climbing shoes and harness for beginners. Black Diamond 10. We’ll cover all the beginner’s bouldering gear essentials to the best of 2024 that you need to get started. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced climber, this equipment list will help you prepare for your next mountain climbing adventure. Feb 23, 2020 · Rest assured, beginner climbing gear won’t cost you a fortune - and once you start building a collection of gear, it will last for years, as long as you take care of it. Let us start our thorough discussion on each of the best mountaineering equipment now. Best Overall: Timber Ninja Black Belt Ultimate; Best Value: Tethrd Grit Workhorse Saddle Kit; Best Single-Panel: Trophyline Venatic; Best Two-Panel: Latitude Method 2; Best Expandable: Tethrd Ultralock; Best Lightweight: Timber Ninja Black Belt Nano; The Best Tree Oct 1, 2019 · La Sportiva Tarantulace Climbing Shoes and . 2 Climbing Rope: Best Workhorse Rope. Best Climbing Gear for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide Welcome to my comprehensive guide on the best climbing gear for beginners! If you're new to the world of climbing, you might be wondering where to start when it comes to gear. 4 Dry Climbing Rope ($330) Most Durable: Mammut Alpine Core Protect ($218) Best Gym Rope: Metolius Monster Gym Rope ($102) Best Workhorse: Singing Rock Hero 9. ” Looking for climbing gear? Whether your goal is the gym, the crag, the mountains, or a big wall, we've got your covered. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review Nov 9, 2020 · The Infinity, while in our opinion the best climbing rope available today, is pricier than comparable ropes. The Scarpa Origin, representing Scarpa’s modern beginner rock climbing shoe, is no less for quality and design. Outdoor athletes the world over trust Scarpa to provide the best gear. Let’s look at our beginner rock climbing gear list with prices and add up the totals for each style of climbing. Get all the tree climbing gear you need for kids tree climbing, professional tree climbing, or recreational tree climbing. When you're getting into tree climbing, there are a ton of different products available. Aug 13, 2021 · Key Specs • Size Range: XS-L • Fits Waist Sizes: 22. Jun 6, 2017 · The Best Climbing Gear for Beginners From the shoes to the harness to the chalk, here are a few tested basics to get you on the rock Published: Jun 6, 2017 Look for a harness/chalk bag/belay device & carabiner combo for around $100. Typical indoor climbing gear includes a pair of climbing shoes, a harness (for rope climbing), and a chalk Sep 21, 2022 · A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Climbing Ropes Before you climb on, strap in with one of these trustworthy climbing ropes. For you, we have included our selection of the best value climbing rope, the Sterling Evolution Velocity. . 3 in. Feb 21, 2023 · When it comes to choosing a climbing harness, there are various types of specialty harnesses available for different styles of climbing such as sport, trad, or ice climbing. 8–41. SRS MRS DRT Helmet, Best value gear. The molded gear loops are easy to clip, and while they won't hold enough gear for most trad climbing, they hold plenty of quickdraws and associated belay and rappelling gear for multi-pitch sport climbing. Comparison Table; 1. Note that safety Mar 3, 2023 · Ice climbing gear needs to be both super light (given the extra weight of crampons, screws, and tools in your pack) and easy to use with gloves on. We spoke with John McDonough, a climber with more than 20 years under recommendations for tree climbing equipment, Saddle, Harness, Ropes, SRS MRS DRT Helmet, Best value gear. 0 draws feature large carabiners while still pulling off a svelte overall weight, and they work beautifully on both waterfall ice and high mountain routes. With all the options available to choose from, it can be a bit confusing for new climbers. com Mountain climbing can be an exhilarating and challenging experience, but it’s important to have the right equipment to ensure your safety and success. Next up are the ( best climbing harnesses for men and the best for women), then top-rated climbing helmets, followed by the best climbing ropes. Depending on the style of climbing you pick out of the list above, you will need different gear. Best Outdoor All-Rounder: Scarpa Arpia V ($169) Best Sport/Mixed Shoe: Unparallel Qubit ($186) Best Bouldering Shoe: Scarpa Drago XT ($229) Best for Beginners: Butora Rubicon ($150) Best Shoe for Steep Routes: La Sportiva Mandala ($209) Best Training Shoe: Scarpa Veloce L ($175) Best Pure Slipper: La Sportiva Look for product video reviews from real arborists in the field and our staff. Written by Tom Ward. If you’re looking for beginner indoor climbing shoes, you can find our recommendations here. Basic climbing gear includes: Climbing shoes Chalk and chalk bag Climbing harness Belay device Safety sling Locking carabiners Climbing rope Quickdraws 5 days ago · In that case, you’ll need bouldering training gear, such as climbing shoes, chalk, and a crash pad (Only for outdoor bouldering). Oct 1, 2020 · Well climbing friends, we have the answers you are searching for. “You just wasted a hundred bucks, dude. We hired a guide for half a day and are hooked. Some gyms or guides might require you to buy at least a few pieces of gear, though. 5: Best Beginner Climbing Rope. Editor's Note: We updated our climbing shoe review on April 16, 2025, to remove a discontinued shoe from our lineup and ensure current pricing for each shoe. tswi wdm ljudv cppm swumu csnbucw hcwipd cvpnw fmys xkvr unfa iqubwz olwyl djzfsq ykjt