If you’re looking to get into outdoor climbing, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the equipment you’ll need to get out there and enjoy the sport. Whether you’re looking to start outdoor bouldering or want to try your hand at rope climbing, there are several essentials that you’ll need to climb outside.

We’ll cover the basics of what you need to have to go climbing outside on a trip led by a group or by friends who already have the advanced gear to supplement your day.

What Outdoor Gear is Required for Climbing Outside?

 

Chalk Bags and Buckets

Chalk bags are standard for most climbers would consider it an essential piece of gear. Sweaty or clammy hands can impair a climber’s ability to grip the rock. Greasing off a hold is never fun. Chalk can help prevent that. 

Chalk buckets are typically bigger and used by boulderers. Chalk bags usually have a spot to clip a carabiner to or a belt so that wall climbers can chalk up while they climb. From Metolius to Cotopaxi to Arc’teryx, there are many outdoor brands that make chalk bags and buckets. Most climbers pick one that they like the design of. Some are waterproof, some have more pockets for multi-pitch—really picking a chalk bag out comes down to what fits your personal climbing needs and style preferences.

Bouldering Shoes

Unless your Barefoot Charles, you’ll want to find the right pair of climbing shoes for the type of climbing you’ll be doing. Typically, bouldering shoes have a more aggressive and down-turned toe and often a more uncomfortable fit. Single pitch sport climbers focused on overhung routes that resemble bouldering on a rope can also benefit from the aggressive shoes typically warn by most boulderers.  

In terms of a good beginners’ bouldering shoe, the writer’s choice goes to the Scarpa Vapor climbing shoe. While the price point may be a little high, the shoe is aggressive enough for beginner boulderers but supports a wide enough toe box to not completely turn you onto trad climbing.

Sport Climbing Shoes

Sport climbing shoes and bouldering shoes are like same-same-but-different. You don’t quite need as an aggressive as a shoe and if you’re working techy, edgy, vertical faces, you’ll want a shoe with good edge and less of a downturn (slab climbing is a different beast in and of itself).

Writer’s choice for sport climbing shoes for beginners is the La Sportiva Miura. This shoe doubles as a bouldering and overhung sport route shoe. The lacing system is easy and the slipper fit is snug. If the shoes feel a bit tight, we recommend wearing them in the shower to let the steam help loosen the leather. 

Traditional Climbing Shoes 

Traditional climbing involves shoving your hands and feet into cracks. Typically, trad climbers prefer a much less aggressive shoe to be able to gain better purchase in cracks as well as avoid discomfort.

Writer’s choice for trad climbing shoes is a split between the La Sportiva Mythos and the newest version of the La Sportiva TC Pro. The new TC Pro addresses it’s predecessor’s flaws (no more peeling of the rubber where it meets the shoe and a much more comfortable heel fit!). The Mythos are a trad favorite—comfortable for all-day multipitch and less stiff making them a great shoe for slab.

Rope Climbing Harnesses

For roped climbing, you’ll need a climbing harness. Modern harnesses are typically redundant (already “doubled back”) but we recommend that you double check the specifications of the harness you buy and review any materials provided by the manufacturer. 

Your choice of harness should be based on both comfort and utility. If it is your first time buying a harness, we recommend fitting at an REI or outdoor retailer in-person (even if you intend to purchase online) to make sure that you are purchasing an appropriate size—as with shoes, sizing can vary depending on brand. 

Writer’s top pick for climbing harness: Arc’teryx C-Quence harness. While pricy, Arc’teryx has quality gear that comes with a warranty. These harnesses are ideal for all day use. They are thinner and breathe better, have tons of gear loop space, and do not sacrifice durability for comfort. Ideal for multi-pitch but suitable for crags, these harnesses pack down small and are convenient to pack. If you’re looking for a more moderately priced harness, check out the middle-of-the-range harnesses offered by Black Diamond.This article covers the basics of what you need to participate in a group led outdoor bouldering or roped climbing activity.

Looking to get outside on real rock but unsure where to start. If you’re located in the greater DC area, Vertical Rock offers introduction to outdoor climbing and can teach you the skills you need to climb safely in the great outdoors.