Outdoor Climbing Gear: The Ultimate Checklist
10/2024
When it comes to climbing, every little detail matters. The right equipment can be the all-decisive difference between an OK climbing experience – and an unforgettable one. In this guide, we’ll give you a detailed rundown of all the climbing essentials, including additional gadgets to take your outdoor climbing to the next level.
What climbing equipment do I need? The basics for beginners and advanced climbers
The basic equipment for sport and outdoor climbing covers everything you need to get started. These are the must-haves for all climbers, no matter what skill level:
Approach shoes: Before you can start scaling rocks and walls, you need a decent pair of approach shoes to safely take you to the starting point of your chosen route or crag. Depending on the terrain, this can be mountaineering shoes ↗, hiking shoes ↗ or casual shoes ↗.
Climbing shoes: As they connect directly to the rock, they should fit like a glove to ensure optimum support and sensitivity while climbing.
Climbing harness: Choose a comfortable, properly fitted climbing harness ↗ with adjustable leg loops, and plenty of extra loops for your equipment.
Rope: A dynamic single rope with a diameter of about 9.5 to 10.2 mm and a length of 60 to 80 meters is perfect for most sport climbing activities. For multi-pitch climbing choose twin ropes ↗ or half ropes ↗.
Quickdraws: For rock climbing, you’ll need between 10-12 quickdraws ↗ to secure yourself throughout your route. Usually, a local climbing guide should be able to give you all the details on the exact number required.
Belay device: Whether tuber, semi automatic or assisted braking belay devices ↗, they are essential to effectively belay your climbing partner.
Helmet: A climbing helmet ↗ is a must for every outdoor climbing activity, offering protection from falling rocks – or hitting your head against the wall.
Chalk Bag with magnesia: Chalk is vital to ensure dry hands – and a secure grip. Choose a chalk bag ↗ that sits comfortably around your waist, and allows you to quickly re-apply chalk, even during tricky passages.
Climbing shoes: The basis for a secure foothold
Apart from the right clothes ↗, climbing shoes are a must for every route as they directly connect to the surface. Which pair is right for you depends on a number of factors that can make or break your climbing experience: size, material, closure system and design.
The size and fit of your shoes is determined by your skill level. Or in other words: The more challenging the route, the tighter your climbing shoes should be – this ensures a secure hold even on smaller, narrow spots. Sometimes climbing shoes may even be 2-3 sizes smaller than your regular shoe size.
The design of your climbing shoes, i.e. downturn and asymmetry, directly affect your climbing:
- A stronger downturn pulls the heel forward while pushing the toes down, thus giving you more power in the toes on small steps, as well as improved force transmission on steep walls.
- Asymmetrical models, which follow the foot’s natural, irregular curve, offer the precision you need to master pockets and crimps, while symmetrical models – which tend to be more comfortable – are a great choice for beginners.
Aggressively downturned shoes are perfect for difficult routes, while more moderately downturned shoes provide extra comfort – perfect for a full day of climbing and bouldering.
When choosing your material, you can opt for leather or synthetics. Leather will stretch over time and adapt to your foot shape, while shoes made from synthetic materials maintain their original shape better.
The closure system of the shoe – whether velcro, laces or slip-on – directly affects the fit of the shoe, and determines how quickly you can put them on and take them off.
Pro tip: To get the fit right, it’s best to try climbing shoes in the afternoon when your feet are already slightly swollen to make sure nothing gets in the way of your next climbing adventure.
Climbing harness: Your best friend on the wall
Your climbing harness ↗ is your most trusted companion when you’re on the wall, making sure you’re safe and comfortable throughout the climb. When choosing a climbing harness, you should pay particular attention to size and fit, as well as adjustability and the number – and placement – of gear loops. A properly fitting harness will distribute the weight evenly, and provide plenty of wearing comfort even when you’re suspended in the air. Harnesses with adjustable leg loops can be adapted to complement any body shape and the amount of layers you’re wearing, which is particularly handy in constantly changing weather. Gear loops should be fitted in exactly the right places to ensure you can easily and quickly access essential equipment like quickdraws, your chalk bag and more. For a more detailed sum-up, check out our guide to finding the right size and fit for climbing harnesses ↗.
At Mammut, we’ve got the perfect climbing harnesses for both women ↗ and men ↗. Our best sellers include the following:
Ophir 3 Slide ↗: The perfect allrounder for various climbing activities, offering great freedom of movement and maximum comfort thanks to Mammut’s special two-part webbing construction.
Ophir 4 Slide ↗: This versatile harness is particularly suitable for sport and indoor climbing, as well as easy alpine tours. Four adjustable slide bloc-buckles allow for quick adjustments, while the two-strap webbing construction provides plenty of wearing comfort. Added features: Four gear loops and an extremely strong haul loop.
Togir 2.0 3 Slide for women ↗ and for men ↗: A light and versatile climbing harness perfect for long tours, boasting reinforced gear loops for easy clipping, and a split-webbing construction for optimum weight distribution. Added feature: An integrated indicator that shows when it’s time to replace the harness.
Ophir Fast Adjust ↗: Fitted with the Fast Adjust System for quick adjustment of the leg loops. The two-part webbing construction provides wearing comfort, while durable gear loops and the abrasion resistant haul loop make it the perfect choice for all types of climbing activities.
Comfort Fast Adjust Harness Men ↗ or Comfort Fast Adjust Harness Women ↗: Both models are particularly breathable and hardwearing, optimized for perfect weight distribution thanks to their Splitt-Webbing technology. Equipped with adjustable leg loops, four large gear loops and a soft padded hip strap, they offer a high level of wearing comfort. Integrated abrasion protection and an indicator showing when the harness needs replacing ensure increased safety and durability.
Sender Light Harness ↗: This ultra light performance harness has been specially designed for competitions. Stripped to the bare minimum, it comes with two reinforced gear loops and elastic leg loops for quick adjustments, as well as added comfort. Made from sustainable materials.
Climbing ropes: Keeping you safe
Climbing ropes ↗ are the essence of sport climbing. They not only ensure your safety, but give you all the freedom you need to explore the vertical world. The choice of rope directly affects ease of use and how well secured you are, thus majorly contributing to the overall climbing experience. For sport climbing, dynamic single ropes ↗ with a diameter of about 9 to 10.2 millimeters are ideal, offering the perfect balance between durability, ease of use, and safety. Make sure the rope length is suitable for your preferred type of climbing – 40 meters are usually enough indoors, whereas outdoor activities may require ropes with a length of up to 60 meters and more.
When multi-pitch climbing, you need half ropes ↗ or twin ropes ↗. With a diameter of 7.5. to 9 millimeters, half ropes are a bit thinner than single ropes. They are particularly great for routes with many twists and turns and directional changes, as they allow for flexible leading and reduce friction. Twin ropes are even thinner, with a diameter of only 7.5. to 9, and also much lighter.
Because both of these are used in pairs, they offer an added layer of safety when confronted with rock fall or sharp edges. While each half rope is connected to a separate anchor point, both twin ropes are connected to the same anchor points.
Whatever route you’re taking, special ropes with Dry Coating ↗ are generally much more durable, and offer much better protection against moisture and dirt. Check out our in-depth guide to climbing ropes ↗ for a more detailed breakdown on different types of ropes – and how to use them correctly.
Quickdraws: Safe and efficient
Quickdraws ↗ are the connecting element between the climbing rope and anchor point on the wall. Choosing the right type of quickdraws will significantly impact your climbing experience by increasing safety, efficiency and comfort. Modern quickdraws offer plenty of practical features like ergonomically shaped carabiners ↗ for quick and secure fastening, as well as slings made of Dyneema, which provide the perfect balance between sturdiness, weight and flexibility. Dyneema is an extremely strong yet light fiber known for its incredible tensile strength, durability, and abrasion resistance. In fact, it’s one of the strongest synthetically produced fibers in the world.
Quickdraws are available in various different sling sizes, meaning they perfectly adapt to the challenges of any given route while reducing the pull of the rope. Short slings (about 10-17 cm ↗) are perfect for sport climbing routes where the bolts are set very close together, while medium-length slings (about 50-60 cm) offer plenty of versatility to reduce rope friction when multi-pitch climbing. Long slings (about 120 cm and longer) are particularly suited for alpine and trad climbing, giving you full flexibility when utilizing natural anchor points, and allowing you to individually adjust the run of the rope.
Don’t forget to take extra climbing slings, runners and carabiners when you’re out climbing, as these come in handy when building a stand, and for extending your quickdraws on alpine routes.
Belay device: Your safety essential
Choosing a belay device ↗ for outdoor climbing is pretty close to picking a partner you can trust on the wall: It’s vital for your safety and well-being when you’re scaling dizzying heights. As such, a belay device has to live up to some seriously high standards when used for outdoor climbing. Apart from working with different rope types in varying conditions, you need to be able to rely on it in all types of weather. Tuber and semi-automatic belay devices are particularly popular, providing added safety through their integrated brake support. Choosing a device with an integrated assisted braking function can make all the difference in case of a fall, as it automatically breaks the fall for added safety.
Belay devices should be intuitive to operate, ensuring ease of use even with cold fingers or in stressful situations where every second counts. A light and compact design makes for the perfect companion on long approaches and challenging routes.
The tuber concept explained: It builds on friction caused by the rope when it runs through the device. A tuber enables the person belaying someone to control the rope, even blocking it altogether if it necessary. The rope runs through one or more curves inside the device, increasing friction. In case of a fall, whoever is belaying can stop the rope from slipping by holding on to the free end of the rope and applying traction. Easy and efficient in their application, tuber belay devices are a favorite in multi-pitch climbing for belaying the lead climber, as well as for abseiling and top roping.
Climbing helmet: Your essential for every route
When sport climbing, a climbing helmet ↗ offers all the protection you need when it matters most. Not only is it a symbol of safety, but also shows that you’ve carefully prepared for your adventure – no surprises, then, that you should take great care when choosing a helmet. The ideal climbing helmet should be lightweight, fit perfectly, and should offer proper ventilation to ensure you’re comfortable during long – or exceptionally sweat-inducing – routes. Another important feature is adjustability: In order to fit properly, a helmet needs to adapt to different head shapes and sizes. Generally, helmets are divided into the following three categories:
Hard shell helmet: These climbing helmets boast a robust outer shell, usually made out of hard plastic, and a shock-absorbing foam layer on the inside. They are particularly resistant to piercing, and offer good shock absorption from a wide range of impact energy.
In-mold helmet: The outer shell of this type of helmet is directly fused together with shock-absorbing foam (usually EPS – expanded polystyrene) by applying heat and pressure, making it very lightweight. While these types of helmets offer a good level of shock absorption, they are also less resistant to physical damage like scratches or piercing.
Hybrid helmets: These types of helmets combine an EPP and EPS inner shell with a robust hard shell. EPP (expanded polypropylene) is a highly flexible material that will revert back to its original form after impact, making it perfect for when continuous hits are to be expected – offering long-lasting shock absorption while maintaining its protective qualities. EPS (extended polystyrene), on the other hand, is extremely light and widely used because of its special shock absorbency. After a forceful impact, EPS is likely to show signs of deformation, which often makes it necessary to replace the material. By combining both of these materials in one helmet, you’ll enjoy a much better level of protection against frequent light hits, as well as the one or other more forceful one. Together with the outer hard shell, they offer maximum protection and longevity while still being very lightweight. When climbing at dusk or in bad light conditions, helmets with an integrated lamp holder are ideal.
Chalk Bags: A climber’s little helper
A chalk bag filled with fine magnesium carbonate is essential for maximum grip, and effectively controlling your own performance when rock or indoor climbing. As such, it is the standard feature on every climber’s harness. This small and handy accessory is vital to keep your hands dry, which reduces the risk of slipping caused by sweaty palms. Besides their basic functionality, many chalk bags come with additional extras like a brush holder and a secure closure to prevent magnesium spillage. Find out more about chalk ↗ – and what to watch out for when choosing yours.
Additional equipment for ambitious climbers
The more experience and the more adventurous your climbing endeavors, the longer the list of required climbing equipment. These are the essentials you need:
Prusik sling, accessory cord: For self-rescue and as fallback during abseiling.
Belay glasses: They relieve strain on the neck when belaying, while providing a better view of your fellow climbers.
Climbing guide and topo: For pinpointing and planning routes.
First Aid Kit: Always have a compact first aid kit for emergencies at hand.
Multi-functional tool or climbing knife: For repair work or cutting ropes in emergencies.
Snacks: Energy-rich snacks like bars, dried fruits and nuts are your best friend for that extra boost of energy during intense multi-pitch climbing tours – or simply as a treat when you’ve reached the summit.
Change of clothes: When you’re climbing for an extended period of time, you should always pack an extra set of clothes – especially in changing weather conditions.
Caring for your equipment
In order to be fully prepared for your next climbing adventure, proper equipment maintenance and storage is key. Keeping your climbing gear in tip-top shape not only ensures your safety, but ultimately helps increase its durability. With these essential care and maintenance tips, you’ll get the most out of your gear:
Regular checks: Always check your equipment carefully before and after use. Watch out for signs of wear, tearing, frayed ropes or slings, as well as damaged carabiners. By carrying out these regular checks, you’ll be able to spot potential issues way in advance, thus significantly reducing the risk of an accident.
Cleaning: When caring for your gear, cleaning it properly is key. Climbing shoes and harnesses should be cleaned with mild soap and water to remove dirt and sweat without damaging the material. Ropes and slings, on the other hand, can be machine-washed on a gentle cycle to remove dirt and dust – just make sure to put them in a laundry net first. Last, but not least: Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to prevent damage to your equipment.
Storage: To maintain the quality of your climbing gear for longer, correct storage is vital. Keep ropes, harness, shoes and other equipment in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. This goes a long way in preventing premature aging of the materials, and effectively helps maintain functionality.
Do it like a pro
You want to be equipped like a pro? Let our Mammut athletes ↗ inspire you with their must-have climbing essentials. From carefully selected belay devices and sturdy helmets to carabiners you can count on, discover the equipment leading climbers like Amruta Wyssmann ↗ and Jakob Schubert ↗ rely on to take them to the top. Whatever your next adventure, with climbing gear from Mammut you’ll be ready to take on any vertical challenge.
