I’ve Been Rock Climbing for More Than a Decade—These Are the 15 Essentials I Trust With My Life, From $9

Rock climbing has been around for centuries. In the sport’s early days, athletes wore boots and carried natural fiber ropes that were heavy and prone to breaking. Through the years, climbers began adopting devices like pitons that could be hammered into cracks and used to prevent lethal falls. They then traded boots for lightweight shoes with sticky rubber, and eventually, they learned how to make the sport safer and more efficient. These advances have made climbing some of the world’s most remote and difficult routes much easier. 

Climbing equipment continues to evolve, but several pieces of gear should be a part of every climber’s system for safe treks. I’ve been rock climbing for over a decade, tackling everything from indoor gym routes to Yosemite’s granite peaks. This is the gear I trust with my life, including lightweight rock climbing shoes, abrasion-resistant pants, and versatile belay devices—starting at just $9. 

Rock Climbing Essentials

La Sportiva TC Pro Climbing Shoes

There’s a common misconception amongst climbers that says you have to cram your feet into ill-fitting, super-tight shoes to tackle a route, but the La Sportiva TC Pro shoes disprove this theory. These are my go-to climbing shoes for just about everything because they’re comfortable, sticky, and durable. While they perform best on slabby routes, some of the top athletes have used these shoes on historical ascents of El Capitan, demonstrating their versatility. 

When I’m looking for a slightly more aggressive shoe, I might trade my TC Pros in for the Scarpa Generator Mid, which is Scarpa’s version of the TC Pro. But my day-to-day climbing shoe is definitely the TC Pro.

Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail-running Shoes

Most climbers default to wearing an approach shoe like the La Sportiva TX3 when they’re not wearing climbing shoes. But as a lifelong runner, I usually opt for my Altra Lone Peak shoes instead.

The Altra Lone Peaks are designed with a wide toe box and a zero-drop style to provide your feet with a barefoot feel. I especially appreciate the ample interior space, as it allows me to use my custom orthotics instead of the manufacturer’s insoles. These shoes keep me comfortable all day, even when rock hopping and scrambling to get to the crag.

La Sportiva Women’s Mantra Pant

Climbing is hard on your clothing—a standard pair of leggings or jogging pants can be easily torn by the sharp edges of the rocks. Some of the best climbers in the world wear jeans to avoid this issue. I prefer the La Sportiva Mantra Pant for the same reason.

These pants are made of a four-way stretch material that supports dynamic movement. The material is a hefty 94 percent recycled polyamide and six percent elastane, making it durable and long-lasting. The ankles have an elastic closure to prevent the fabric from getting in your way while moving. I’ve had a pair of these pants for years, and they hardly show any signs of wear.

Petzl Grigri Belay Device

The best climbing gear is versatile in function, like the Petzl Grigri belay device. This little tool appears unassuming, but it can be used for standard belaying, self-rescue, and pulley systems, which makes it a must-have tool in a pinch. As a standard belay device, the Grigri is a great option for beginners since it provides you with assisted braking. The three-to-one mechanical advantage is also a loveable feature since it makes it easier to lower the climber.

8BPlus Powdered Chalk

Over the past decade, I’ve tested dozens of chalks. You’d think that chalk is just calcium carbonate, and every version would be the same. Oddly, however, I’ve found a nuance from brand to brand. The 8BPlus Powdered Chalk is one of my favorite options because it’s soft to the touch, applies evenly to your hands, and adheres nicely (which seems to reduce the number of applications). While it’s a chalk type less commonly found in climbing shops and gear stores, its cost-to-functionality ratio makes it worth the purchase.

Cotopaxi Halcon Chalk Bag

It’s pretty easy to find a high-quality chalk bag that keeps everything contained, but I’m a big fan of the Cotopaxi Halcon pick for a few different reasons. This chalk bag has a wired mouth that makes it easy to get your hand inside mid-climb, plus it’s colorful, and comes with a large zippered pocket on the back that’s big enough to fit your phone. While those reasons alone are enough to win me over, it also comes with a brush holder, which is handy on polished routes.

Mammut Crag Sender Helmet

The first time I bought a climbing helmet, I opted for the cheapest option (which happened to be the heaviest and silliest-looking helmet available). As my missions became longer and more physically demanding, I realized that lightweight gear, like the Mammut Crag Sender Helmet, can significantly cut your pack weight. 

This helmet weighs about half a pound, yet it comes with the CE EN 12492 certification, which means it adheres to Europe’s safety standards for mountaineering helmets by protecting you from impacts and penetration. It also comes with great retention strength, meaning the strap will keep it on your head in the event of a fall. I’ve taken this helmet to Yosemite and the Rocky Mountains, where it blended comfort with functionality.

Smartwool Women’s Perfect V-neck Short-sleeve Tee

Wool is one of the best activewear materials on the market because of its sustainability, function, and comfort. Another reason why I can’t get enough of it is because of its antimicrobial properties. After several days without a wash, the Smartwool Perfect Tee always feels fresh, which is extremely nice when you’re outdoors climbing for days at a time.

This T-shirt also excels in the realm of durability, which is always a concern while I’m climbing. In fact, the 50 percent merino and 50 percent cotton blend makes it tough and built to last, even while sliding across sharp and gnarly rocks.

C.A.M.P. Energy CR3 Harness

It can be overwhelming to navigate the harness aisle in your local gear store. Harnesses come in so many different styles and sizes, but the truth is that an entry-level harness like the C.A.M.P. Energy CR3 harness is great for gym climbing and most single-pitch routes around the country. Plus, it’s significantly cheaper than some of the other harness options.

This harness has been my go-to for most climbs for many years. Then, when I need extra padding for multi-pitch, alpine routes and projects, I opt for a harness like the Black Diamond Long Haul Harness. But the C.A.M.P. Energy CR3 does the trick for most entry-level climbs.

Crazy Creek Original Chair

I rolled my eyes the first time I saw someone bring a Crazy Creek Original Chair to the crag. There were plenty of rocks and logs I could sit on while I belayed—why did I need a chair? But as the day wore on, I found myself yearning for some back support and a dry surface. That day, I got myself a Crazy Creek, and now I take it everywhere. It’s compact, versatile, and light enough to bring on basic climbing adventures.

Black Diamond ATC Guide Belay Device

The Black Diamond ATC Guide is one of the lightest belay devices available. It’s easy to learn, and the guide function makes it a good device to carry in alpine environments. It’s also my go-to rappelling device. Most climbers carry the Petzl Grigri and the Black Diamond ATC Guide because these belay devices have strengths that the other device lacks. The ATC Guide also comes at a more affordable price point, which is one reason new climbers prefer it to the Grigri.

Mountain Hardwear Men’s Crater Lake Hoodie

Sun exposure can be really intense during a long day of climbing. While attentive sunscreen application can protect your skin, I prefer to wear the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie as an added layer of protection due to its UPF 50+ rating. This system served me extremely well on my first trip to Yosemite Valley, where I spent more than 12 hours in the blazing sun every day.

The fabric was light and airy, yet capable of blocking out harmful UV rays no matter what I was doing. This sun hoodie is mostly made out of polyester. In situations where I expect the temperature to fluctuate a lot, I’ll grab a wool version of it, like the Minus 33 Micro Weight Woolverino. Otherwise, I love the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie for its lightweight, comfortable design.

Coros Apex 2 Outdoor GPS Watch

I’m extra analytical—I like to record my sports data to monitor the ebbs and flows in my energy levels, and sometimes, I use this strategy to optimize my training strategies. The Coros Apex 2 provides super accurate heart rate tracking, VO2 max measurements, a GPS, and an altimeter to keep me on track no matter where I am. While it’s really designed to be a trail-running watch, I’ve found its climbing data to be extremely helpful both indoors and outdoors.

Patagonia Women’s Nano Puff Insulated Jacket

I’ve tested dozens of jackets over the past decade, and none has outperformed the Patagonia Nano Puff. This is the puffer I packed while I backpacked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, and the same jacket lives in my crag bag 10 years later. The recycled polyester materials are extremely tough, and the warmth-to-weight ratio is unbeatable. In fact, it’s built with synthetic insulation, which means that it’ll continue to keep you warm even when it’s wet, unlike down alternatives.

Otterbox Fre Series Phone Case

My sister burst into laughter when I told her I don’t insure my cell phone. At the time, I was preparing for a trip to Yosemite Valley, where I knew I’d be hanging off El Cap with nothing but 2,000 feet of air beneath me. But I’ve been using the Otterbox Lifeproof Fre case for years to create added protection, and I’m really careful with my gadgets while I’m on multi-pitch routes way up in the air.

The Otterbox protects my phone from dust, snow, rain, and some amount of shock (although I wouldn’t dare drop it off a climbing route). These features have come in handy when the weather took a turn for the worse or I accidentally scraped my phone against something sharp and unpleasant.

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