You don’t need to be a thrill-seeking crunchy to enjoy climbing. Climbing gyms are popping up all over the country, and according to a recent report by the Physical Activity Council, more Americans are climbing than ever before. Climbing is an excellent total-body workout, a mental escape and a good excuse to hang (quite literally) with friends. Whether you’re a newbie, a weekend climber or an obsessive who always has chalk under your fingernails, here’s the gear to conquer the climbing gym right.
The Newbie
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Before you’re able to scamper up the big walls, you’ll need to cut your teeth on the introductory stuff, like easy bouldering routes and ladder-like 5.6’s. For this type of climbing, you need only the basics: a flat and comfortable climbing shoe, a belay device/carabiner combo, a chalk bag, a simple harness and some clothes that’ll allow you to sweat freely.
ATC-XP Belay Device by Black Diamond $22
Chalk Bag by Topo Designs $29
Mojo Shorts by prAna $50
Momentum Harness by Black Diamond $55
Nine Trails T-Shirt by Patagonia $45
Raptor Climbing Shoe by Evolv $99
VaporLock Screwgate Carabiner by Black Diamond $15
The Weekend Warrior
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Okay, you’ve graduated from the introductory stuff. 5.6’s are boring now. You’re beginning to tackle longer, steeper climbs and reach-y boulder problems. This requires gear with more finesse: a lighter harness, a more capable belay setup, a twist-lock carabiner (for quicker access), and climbing shoes that are still comfortable, but have a tad more arch for those tricky foot-hook moves.
Anasazi Moccasym Climbing Shoes by Five Ten $125
Andes Chalk Bag by Evolv $24
Am’D Twistlock Carabiner by Petzl $20
Motus SS Crew by Arc’teryx $40
Reverso 4 Belay Device by Petzl $30
Sama Harness by Petzl $65
Stretch Zion Shorts by prAna $50+
