Whether you’re brand new to this whole climbing thing, or wanting to upgrade your equipment after getting the hang of it all, then this guide should help you as you gather all of the essential rock climbing gear.
To keep it simple, this is what you need to start climbing indoors in 2023; climbing shoes, safety harness, belay device, chalk bag, and chalk ball. I’ve gathered are a mix of options depending on your budget, so you can splurge on somethings and save on others.
| Splurge | Budget |
|---|---|
| Shoes – La Sportiva Katana Lace | Shoes – La Sportiva Tarantulace |
| Harness – Petzl Sama Harness | Harness – Black Diamond Alpine BOD Harness |
| Belay Device – Petzl GriGri+ | Belay Device – Black Diamond ATC Guide |
| Chalk Bag – Arc’teryx Ion Chalk Bag | Chalk Bag – Black Diamond Mojo Chalk Bag |
| Chalk Ball – Friction Labs Magic Chalk | Chalk Ball – Literal Savage Refillable Chalk Ball |
Climbing Shoes
If there’s any piece of climbing gear you should splurge on, in my opinion, it’s your climbing shoes. Your shoes will play such a huge part in the experience you’ll have on a giant wall or bouldering. Rental shoes that are provided at most gyms usually aren’t anything special, they’re just meant to get you by for your first couple times.
If you want the ultimate experience for every climbing session, La Sportiva’s Katana Laces are the shoes. Each time you go to the gym, wearing these –without socks especially– will continue to form to your foot and improve your comfort on the wall. These shoes will always be ready, even as you improve your climbing abilities.
Although, if you want to keep your wallet in check, and still have a great time at the gym, then La Sportiva’s Tarantulaces are fantastic. These are just as reliable, and more affordable. Tarantulaces are amazing shoes for beginners, but will struggle to keep up as your skills and desire to attack more difficult routes grow.
Safety Harness
If you don’t splurge on the shoes, definitely do so on your harness. The key to the best climbing harnesses is that you want it to be so comfortable that you forget it’s ever there; whether you’re climbing or belaying.
How you achieve this is finding one that contours, bends, and adjusts to your body best. The Petzl Sama Harness, or Arc’teryx AR-395A Harness, do exactly that. I remember the first few dates climbing with my wife and after she got the Sama harness, and she couldn’t stop talking about how pleasant and convenient it was compared to her previous harness (the rock gym’s rental ones). To quote her, “I feel free with this thing!”
But, if you don’t have long climbing sessions and you would like to save a bit of money here too, then the Black Diamond Alpine Bod harness is a good budget option. You do notice it more than the Sama and C-Quence harnesses, but it’s a whole lot more comfortable than the rental harnesses.
Belay Device
Different to shoes and harnesses, your belay device has the ability to last you 10-20+ years; especially if you don’t lose it in a river while climbing outdoors like I did once. Heck, I’ve met people that have climbed their whole life and still use the same ATC that they first got when they started climbing. (I’m not recommending this or never buying a new ATC ever again, since your gears condition will vary by your usage and how it holds up over time.)
With that in mind, if you want the belay device that will be the most convenient, then you can’t go wrong with Petzl’s GriGri+. As you climb with others, whether they’re pros or it’s their first time, you can’t go wrong with this. It has such a short learning curve and outstanding safety features that normal belay devices and ATC’s just don’t have.
But, if you want to go old school and just want your own belay device without breaking the bank, then Black Diamond’s ATC Guide has you covered. This ATC follows the good’ol saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Plus, it’s one less piece of expensive gear that you won’t have to worry about if it’s lost… or falls into a river.
Chalk Bag
We are now in the true convenience part of this article. Although, the level of convenience a chalk bag brings is comparable to the option between water and gatorade. (Gatorade technically has more vitamins and minerals, but either one is just fine at first.)
Climbing with a chalk bag enables you to remain confident on a wall with some strong grip. It can be so frustrating when you’re working so hard on a route, and there’s this one hold that’s a little too slick without some chalk. Or, if you’re consistently climbing throughout the week, then chalk can save your hands from unwanted blisters and tears.
If you’re wanting to spend a bit more on a chalk bag that’s made with a good anti-chalk material on the outside, then I would recommend the Arc’teryx Ion Chalk Bag. It will last you years, and be easy to keep in “like new” shape with their “cordura” nylon.
The Black Diamond Mojo is another solid option, but with a lower price tag. The outside material is harder to keep clean than the Ion bag, but both feature a bonus zipper pocket. (Perfect for holding a climbing brush when a hold is a bit used and abused.)
Chalk Ball
You’ve got a chalk bag, but it’s no use without a chalk ball. And you’ll want a re-usable one that’s easy to fill up and keep climbing with in the long run.
Friction Labs’ Magic Chalk Ball is a great option for this, and what I’ve seen being used by a surprising amount of other climbers. This chalk ball seems to be a staple among rock climbers.
But, for those of you who are determined to save wherever possible, then Literal Savage’s Refillable Chalk Ball will help you achieve this.
Happy climbing ya’ll!