Climbing Gear

Having the proper climbing gear is vital for a safe event.  In most cases, gear will be provided by the climbing gym or camp.  But for special adventures, you will need your own gear.

Before you run out to purchase gear, come talk to our climbing team.  

Basic Climbing Gear

Basic Gear List

• Climbing Shoes

• Harness

• Helmet

• Chalk bag

• Gear Bag

Climbing Shoes

Can you climb without climbing shoes?  Sure - in many places, your regular sneakers or hiking shoes/boots will work.  This is generally limited to climbing walls with screw in climbing holds.  But for more technical climbing on both walls with artificial climbing holds and rock walls with natural features, climbing shoes make a huge difference and you may not be able to climb without them.

Which shoes do you get?  Well, pick ones that fit.  The only way you can know if a shoe fits is by trying them on.  Don't trust shoe sizes, because they are all over the place.  Go to REI or another climbing gear store and try on different shoes.  They should fit snuggly without socks on.

When choosing a climbing shoe, understand that they are are made with different bends.

Neutral 

• Shoes are flat

• Midsole may be medium to stiff

• These are great for all day use

Moderate

• These have a light downturned shape (camber)

• Helps feet gain more powerful and stronger foothold 

• These aren't as comfortable as neutral shoes

• Better for cracks than aggressive shoes

Aggressive

• These have an aggressive downturn

• Preferred for overhang climbs

• Really uncomfortable - not for all day use

• Shape doesn't fit into cracks as well as neutral and moderate shoes

Harness

Your Harness MUST Fit!  Go to REI or a climbing store and try on several different harnesses.  DO NOT Trust the size on the Harness.  They all fit differently.  A Scout may be able to use a Size Small in one harness and a Size Large in another.

Any harness used must meet one of the following standards

• Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UIAA 105) 

• European Committee for Standardization (EN12277)

Harnesses come in a few different styles.

Sport Harness

• Designed for indoor gyms

• Quick and easy waistbelt buckle

• Often lacks gear loops

• Minimal or NO leg adjustability

Traditional Harness

• Designed for outside walls and more exciting climbing where more climbing gear is needed

• Adjustable leg loops

  • Allows you to wear more layers

  • Allows you to remove leg loops if you have to poop

• 4+ Gear Loops

  • Allows you to hang carabiners, cams, nuts, and chocks

• Haul Loop

  • To carry up extra rope

• Padding

  • Allows you to hang for longer periods

    • Hanging belays

    • Multipitch climbing

Alpine/Mountain Harness

• Lightweight option to minimize weight on bigger expeditions where you carry a lot of gear

• Fully adjustable waistbelt and leg loops to allow for layering of clothing

• 4 or less loops

  • Minimize loops interfering with backpack

• Thin material

  • Wear with backpack

  • More packable

  • Light

• Minimal or NO Belay Loop

  • Plan to belay and rappel with waistbelt and leg loop

• Haul Loop

  • To carry up extra rope

Specialty Harnesses

• Designed for climbing niches

• Canyoneering

• Competition

• Big Wall

• Rescue

Helmet

Depending on where you climb, you will need an appropriate helmet for that location/environment. 

Environmental Concerns

• Warm Weather Sport Climbing

  • Vents help keep your head cool

  • Many will go with shelled foam to save on weight and maximize ventilation 

• Ice Climbing

  • Plan to be showed with ice

  • You don't want ice getting into and being trapped in your helmet

  • Choose a helmet with minimal vents and openings

• Cool Weather Climbing

  • You can probably take off your helmet while waiting to climb

  • A hardshell may be more economical and durable

• Belaying

  • You need protection from above

  • Whatever you use for climbing should work fine

• Indoor Gym

  • Whatever the Gym Rules call for

  • You may not even need a helmet for your gym

  • A lightweight and well vented shelled foam helmet may be ideal since rockfalls aren't a thing here

A Helmet MUST fit and they fit a little differently.  Go the REI or another climbing store and try out several helmets.  The Main REI store in Seattle will have a better selection and likely better expert advice than smaller REIs. 

Chalk Bag

You don't necessarily need a chalk bag and don't need anything special. Pick out one that's economical or you feel looks great. 

Read more about chalk at rei.com/learn/expert-advice/chalk-chalk-bags.html 

Gear Bag

You'll need a backpack or duffle to carry your gear.  Plan to carry extra rope and gear after you get to the trailhead.  Yup, someone needs to carry all that extra rope up the hill.