What

to

Wear

for

Rock

Climbing:

The

Essentials

for

your

Outdoor

Adventures

Climbing is not just about technique and stamina, but also about using the right climbing equipment ↗ – including clothing. Especially when you’re out in the wild, your climbing clothes ↗ need to bring their A game: from offering maximum functionality to prevailing in all kinds of weather. So which items are the ones you definitely need to ensure you’re comfortable and protected throughout your climb? We’ve put together the essentials that make for the ultimate climbing outfit: From the perfect pair of climbing pants ↗ to breathable shirts ↗ and warming mid layers ↗. 

What clothing items do you need?

Wearing the right outfit will make all the difference when rock climbing. To make sure you’re prepared for all temperatures and weather conditions, we recommend dressing in layers. Here’s what you should put on:

1. Climbing pants

2. Breathable shirt

3. Mid layer, hoodie or fleece jacket

4. Climbing jacket

Climbing pants

When getting geared up for climbing outdoors, picking the right climbing pants ↗ is key. Not only should they be sturdy and hardwearing to survive frequent exposure to ragged edges and rocks, but they should also provide enough flexibility to help you conquer even the most challenging routes. Depending on the activity you’ve got planned, you can either opt for long climbing pants ↗ or climbing shorts ↗ – both have their pros and cons. While long pants offer more protection against the rocky surface and cold breeze, shorts will give you more freedom of movement and extra ventilation when it’s warm outside. Whatever you choose: The perfect climbing pants marry durability with next-level freedom of movement, particularly in the hip and leg area – allowing you to tread and reach your next position with ease. For more tips and insights, take a look at our dedicated guide to climbing pants ↗.

Breathable shirts

When looking for your perfect climbing top ↗, breathability should be top of the list of requirements – ensuring you keep a cool head even in the most challenging circumstances. Whether you decide on a long-sleeved shirt ↗ or a tank top or T-Shirt ↗ for your base layer, the material should wick away moisture from your body.

• Materials: Many shirts are made of a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers. Cotton feels comfortable against your skin, while synthetics like polyester or nylon ensure your clothes dry quickly, and wick away moisture. In short: the perfect mix of comfort and functionality.

• Technology: Our forward-thinking, all-natural HeiQ Fresh ↗ technology reduces unpleasant odors, while actively wicking away moisture and helping maintaining the ideal body temperature. Mesh inserts under the arms and on the back for added ventilation further increase breathability and wearing comfort.

• Design and fit: The right fit is as important as functionality. Ergonomic designs that easily adapt to your movement when climbing are ideal, giving you plenty of freedom to move, especially in the arm and shoulder area – which is vital when trying to master move after move. 

A carefully selected top not only makes for a great fashion statement, but is a well thought-out piece of equipment that will enhance your climbing experience, while also being your trusted companion during other outdoor activities like hiking ↗ and mountaineering ↗. 

Mid layers, hoodies, fleece jackets & more

When moving your climbing endeavors to the great outdoors, never forget about your mid layers. Whether you’re starting at the break of dawn or in shadowy heights, mid layers, hoodies or fleece jackets will keep you warm and protected, even when the weather changes abruptly. All of the below clothing essentials are designed to retain heat while wicking away moisture, which makes them the perfect choice for any weather.

• Fleece jackets ↗ are particularly popular among climbers because they’re very lightweight and boast great heat insulation. On top of that, they are ultra breathable and quick-drying – perfect for when you’re carrying out dynamic movements. Our special Polartec® ↗ fleece fabrics are made using a specialized knit, which further enhances its heat insulating qualities and breathability, while reducing the amount of fabric used.

• Hoodies ↗ not only are a firm favorite because they look cool, but because they’re super practical when climbing. They’re typically made from a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, which offers the best of both worlds. Many hoodies made specifically for climbing are fitted with a generously sized hood that can be quickly pulled over your helmet ↗ when there’s a sudden change in weather.

• Mid layer jackets ↗ are perfect for layering in changing weather. They’re usually made out of fleece or engineered synthetic fibers, keeping you warm while effectively wicking away moisture. Often they also come with practical features like thumb loops to keep your sleeves where they’re supposed to be, as well as zippers to help the air circulate better – which both increases their functionality and wearing comfort. A well-fitting mid layer jacket is loose enough to provide maximum freedom of movement and space for extra layers, yet tight enough to not get in the way when climbing.

Warming climbing jackets

When it comes to climbing, climbing jackets ↗ are much more than a simple layer of fabric: They are a technical piece of equipment designed to provide protection and wearing comfort. To cater to all kinds of individual requirements, there’s a wide range of jackets climbers can choose from:

• Waterproof jackets ↗: This category encompasses sturdy and waterproof hardshell jackets that offer protection from the rain and snow. Many models are equipped with GORE-TEX Infinium ↗ fiber, which permanently wind- and waterproofs clothing while ensuring maximum breathability. They also put an end to the dreaded wind-chill effect, while lowering the risk of overheating. As such, they are the perfect choice for alpine adventures where you’re constantly exposed to the elements. Additional practical features like waterproof zippers, hoods with plenty of space for your helmet and adjustable cuffs add an extra level of protection and adjustability.

• Softshell jackets ↗: Perfect for milder conditions or as an additional, flexible layer for high-intensity outdoor activities. They offer exceptional freedom of movement, and are both highly breathable and wind-repellent. Find out more about softshell jackets in our dedicated guide.

• Vests ↗: On days when you need an additional warming layer that won’t restrict your movement, vests are the go-to choice. They not only keep your torso warm, but leave enough room for your arms to move – super handy for when you’re exploring more challenging and technical routes, or when belaying.

• Wind breaker ↗: These practical jackets protect you against wind and light rain while being super lightweight. Despite providing solid protection, they are still incredibly breathable. Extra functional features like a hood to go over your climbing helmet and elastic cuffs to keep out the wind make these jackets the ultimate must-have for climbing ↗, hiking ↗, mountaineering ↗ and more. 

Extra equipment for maximum protection and comfort

On top of the right clothing, there’s plenty of other climbing equipment ↗ you’ll need when outdoor climbing. Apart from cushy base layers ↗ to keep you extra comfortable, the right climbing gear will ensure you’ll enjoy the highest level of safety and performance:

• A sturdy climbing helmet ↗ protects you from rock fall and during a fall.

• A beanie ↗ to go under your climbing helmet ensures you’ll stay warm in the cold, while maintaining the proper fit of the helmet.

• A properly fitting climbing harness ↗ that can be easily adjusted will keep you safe and comfortable throughout.

• The right climbing shoes are vital for a proper hold and precise movement when you’re on the wall. The fit is especially important.

• Carabiners ↗ are vital connectors and essential for climbing. They should be lightweight, hardwearing and easy to use.

• A light backpack ↗ that sits well on your shoulders is important to keep your equipment safely stowed away while you’re on the move.

• Make sure you choose a high-quality, hardwearing climbing rope ↗ to keep you safe at all times.

• A belay device ↗ you can 100 % rely on is key to stopping a fall when climbing. It should be easy and safe to use.

• Chalk bags and magnesia will help you keep your hands dry and improve your grip while climbing.

For more insights, check out our guide on the perfect climbing gear ↗.

Get inspired

Find out more about climbing must-haves our Mammut athletes ↗ swear by, and deck yourself out like a pro.