Climbing is such an exciting activity, and a beneficial one as well. Apart from spending time in nature, it also allows you to get your daily dose of exercise, which is much needed nowadays. If you are getting started with climbing, there are certain things to consider beforehand – one of them being the needed equipment! It’s better to do a little research than to just wander into nature and climb! So here’s how to find the best gear for your climbing trip!
Do research
Before jumping into it, it’s important to have a bit of background knowledge in order to buy what you need. There’s more to it than just getting a rope and some gloves – a lot of factors go into it. The level of experience. The climbing style, the environment, but all in all, the key is to make you safe and secure while you are climbing.
Where to buy
It’s extremely important to only shoot at proper stores that sell real climbing equipment – this is all to ensure your safety and make things easier for you. Even if it costs a bit more, it’s essential to have everything for your climbing trip – the last thing you want to do is get injured. Start by looking at stores in your area, stores that carry sport and hunting equipment will highly likely carry climbing gear as well. But most of these items can be purchased online as well! It’s important to make a list of everything you already have and everything that you’ll need to get in order to properly get ready for your climbing adventures!
Bare necessities
First of all, it’s important to differentiate the absolute necessities from items that you can go with or without. In order to be as safe as possible, it’s extremely important to get high-quality equipment and know-how to use it properly. Falls can be lethal, no matter how high you are climbing – prevention is always key in these situations! Here are some of the key items you’ll need:
Rope
Climbing ropes are there to ensure your safety and prevent you from falling down and possibly hurting yourself. There are various types of ropes, depending on the length, and elasticity! The main difference is if a rope is static or dynamic – in the first case, the rope doesn’t have any stretch, while dynamic ropes have enough stretch. The dynamic or stretchy rope is better at absorbing falls and making you bounce back!
Climbing harness
A climbing harness allows you to add rope and make your climbing experience a lot safer. Instead of just holding the rope in your hands, this way you can be secure whilst having your hands free. There are various types of harnesses, depending on the climbing style. Always buy from trustworthy stores, and never try to attempt DIY safety gear as it’s not proven to work as well! It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Chalk
Climbing chalk is necessary to give climbers a better grip, it can be used for both inside and outside climbing. It can be quite slippery, especially during summertime, as hands tend to sweat more, making it difficult to hold onto things while climbing. There are different types of chalk, getting the best liquid chalk for your climbing trip is essential in order to have a good time! It’s the little things like this that truly make a difference in the long run!
Climbing helmet
A helmet is an absolute must, regardless of whether you are climbing outside or inside! A good helmet can prevent you from suffering a horrible injury, as head injuries can be lethal, especially from falling down. There are lots of helmets that you can look for, try finding one that fits you perfectly and won’t accidentally slide off while you are climbing. Lots of people skip this part, especially those who are climbing low heights – but that shouldn’t stop you from being safe and getting a helmet! So regardless of whether you are climbing Mount Everest or your local hill, you should always put your safety first!
Climbing shoes
Shoes are another part of the climbing gear you should definitely get! Instead of climbing in your regular walking shoes, wearing climbing sneakers will allow you to grip onto things better and be more flexible! Comfort is key above all else, so finding a shoe that fits you perfectly is way better than spending the day in uncomfortable shoes, it can also distract you from your main goal which is climbing. Search for sneakers that are specific for climbing, as they have special perks that can make the whole experience more comfortable!
Read reviews
It’s incredibly important to read reviews when shopping for climbing equipment! This is important regardless of whether you are just starting or if you already have a bit of experience, it’s good to see how certain equipment is working for other people and compare it to your own. It’s all about finding the best possible items and making them work for you, in order to make your climbing experience safe and relaxing! There are lots of bloggers that review climbing gear, so it’s a good idea to get a second opinion if you are unsure whether or not to buy the item!
Ignore dodgy websites
Nowadays, anyone can sell anything online, so it’s important to see how legitimate the items are before making a purchase. Especially when buying important things like climbing ropes and a safety harness. Be extra careful when looking at extremely cheap equipment, as it might be scammed or made out of poor quality materials! It’s always best to spend a bit more but to actually get real equipment that will last for a long time. This also means you’ll be able to save money in the long run as well!
At the end of the day, climbing equipment is not complicated, it’s actually pretty straightforward. With a bit of research, you can easily buy good equipment for your climbing trip! Remember to only buy from legit stores and read reviews just to make sure that the equipment is doing its job properly!