Gear Hub: Climbing Gear We Love
As fall approaches climbers get psyched — it’s finally cool enough for perfect conditions! Many climbers climb year-round, but they will tell you fall is their favorite season to send projects and put their training to the test. Then comes the looming snow and ice that winter brings. If you’re not an ice climber, this means gym season is knocking at your door.
Whether you prefer to climb inside or outside, boulder or ropes or a mixture of it all — we have a few climbing gear picks you need to know about!
Let’s start with shoes; arguably the most important piece of gear in the climbing equation. With my experience primarily being in bouldering, I naturally gravitated to a more aggressive shoe, the Ocun Oxi S. The Oxi S from Ocun features a Velcro closure, highly rubberized toe and heel (great for heel and toe hooks, a generally sensitive midsole), more control on technical moves and a slipper design — to make on-and-off easy between your attempts. As stated, this shoe is more on the aggressive side and because of that, wouldn’t be the most comfortable for long days on the wall. If wall climbing and longer objectives is more your style, we recommend something more similar to the La Sportiva Tarantulace. The design of the Tarantulace allows for optimal adjustments and features a larger toe box for optimal room as your foot swells throughout the day. Shop Ocun
As someone who dabbles in rope climbing, I wanted a harness that felt secure and that I could trust but wouldn’t be specialized to a particular type of ropes climbing. The Safe Tech Women's Deluxe Harness from Metolius is just that. This free climbing harness has a thicker foam and fleece lining and features a wider waist belt for increased support to the low back. Four gear loops, a real haul loop and a reinforced tie-in point allow you to carry all the gear you need without feeling cluttered. The waist and legs are easily adjustable and my favorite part is the striking bright blue color! It fits comfortably and naturally and makes me feel secure. Shop Metolius
Your climbing gear is important for safety and accomplishing objectives, but the apparel you choose to rock is important too! You want breathable, flexible and abrasion-resistant gear that you have confidence will last. The Arc'teryx Gamma Tapered Pant is all that and more. Though these pants are soft-shell and breathable, they keep out the wind and are water-resistant. Maybe not my choice for a cold day in the alpine, but if you threw on a pair of leggings underneath, you’d be set! The high-rise fit keeps you comfortable while wearing a harness and the adjustable waistband allows for no gaping which means less worrying about fit when you’re sending projects. The narrow leg and cinched ankle mean less fabric in the way as you make your way up the wall, and the zip closure at the ankle allows you to roll them up on warm fall days. These pants are my go-to outdoor pant, from hiking to walking the dog and everything in between — they stand up to it all and perform well. Shop Arc’teryx
Whether you’re a boulderer or find yourself loving the thrill of ropes, we wish you a happy and safe climbing season! Head over to the S+B Gear Hub for more of our favorite climbing and general gear favorites.
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