If you’re new to climbing, you may be wondering what all of the gear is called. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common climbing gear, so you can get started on your next adventure!
Climbing Harnesses
A climbing harness is an item of climbing equipment consisting of webbing that sits around the waist and legs, attaching the climber to their rope so that if they fall, they will not fall very far.
Carabiners
Carabiners are strong, light weight metal snaps used to form the links between various pieces of climbing equipment. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types are oval, D-shaped, and pear-shaped.
Climbing Shoes
Climbing shoes are purpose-built footwear designed to improve a climber’s performance on rock faces. They have many features not found in other types of shoes, such as a high degree of toe flexibility, rubber soles with sticky treads for added traction, and downturned toes that help the climber maintain a solid grip while ascending.
Chalk and Chalk Bags
Climbing chalk and chalk bags are one of the most important pieces of gear for climbers. Chalk absorbs sweat and keeps your hands dry, which helps you grip the rock better. It also keeps your hands from slipping off small holds. Chalk is a must-have for any climber, whether you’re bouldering, sport climbing, or trad climbing.
Chalk is made from magnesium carbonate, and it comes in a variety of colors. The most common colors are white and pink. White chalk is the standard color because it doesn’t leave stains on the rock. Pink chalk is popular because it does leave stains on the rock, which can help you see where you’ve been climbing. There are also colored chalks that can be used for specific purposes, such as blue chalk for gym climbing or red chalk for winter climbing.
Chalk bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose: to hold chalk so you can easily access it while you’re climbing. Chalk bags usually have a loop that goes around your waist, and they often have a drawstring closure to keep the chalk from spilling out. Some chalk bags also have a zippered pocket to hold other small items, such as Climbing tape, carabiners, or energy bars.
Climbing Ropes
In climbing, rope is used as a safeguard, primarily to arrest the fall of a climber and/or provide secure loops for attaching other climbing equipment. Different types and sizes of rope are used for different applications, based on factors such as whether the climb is indoor or outdoor, the type of climb, the climbs difficulty and length, and what other climbing gear will be used.
Crash Pads
A crash pad is a piece of rock climbing equipment consisting of an specially-designed foam mattress that is used to protect a climber during a fall, or to cushion the landing of boulders and other objects dislodged from above.
Climbing Holds
Climbing holds are the devices that climbers use to ascend a rock face or wall. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and are often categorized by their grip type. Climbing holds can be used on natural rock or on artificial structures designed for climbing.
