If trying something new was on your list of New Years resolutions, it’s not too late. For me, rock climbing was something I was hoping to dig into this year, and my whole family dove right in (kids included). While learning to top-rope climb at our local climbing gym, my husband and I realized how much fun bouldering is, and it has become a bit of a thing . . . in a good way!
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If you too are interested in bouldering, a subset of rock climbing that involves climbing relatively low faces without ropes, you’ll want to start by finding an indoor climbing gym with bouldering walls and using the gym’s rental gear. As you improve, you can start to plan your first outdoor bouldering trip (we went to Joshua Tree) and begin collecting the right gear. Here is a list of great equipment to get started—all tested and approved.
Read to the end for some tidbits I’ve learned so far in my bouldering journey. (You know, in case you don’t want to look like a complete gumby!)
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Black Diamond Method Climbing Shoes – Men & Women
Those rental shoes at the gym will only get you so far. Once you find yourself wanting to solve some more difficult boulder problems, you’re ready for some real climbing shoes. Black Diamond offers some excellent options for beginning and intermediate climbers who want grip and precision without the extreme fit of more advanced shoes.
Black Diamond’s Method Climbing Shoes are a smart choice for upping your bouldering and climbing game, whether you’re training indoors or outdoors. These shoes will feel extreme if you buy your street-shoe size, but if you size up, they’ll be a good option for adjusting to a pointed shoe. And you’ll truly be blown away by the grip.
Climbing shoes are not cheap, and sizing varies greatly by brand and model. I highly recommend trying these shoes on at a store before deciding which size to buy.
Mad Rock Mad Pad
Once you’re ready to take the next step and start bouldering outdoors, it’s time to invest in at least one crash pad. Mad Rock’s Mad Pad is a classic choice. The Mad Pad will cushion any falls and protect you from sharp rocks and terrain. It’s light to carry and has cushioned and adjustable backpack straps that make it easy to transport. My kids take turns carrying it to and from bouldering sites.
The Mad Pad’s open dimensions are 48″x36″x5″, and velcro strips along the sides allow you to configure your fall-zone coverage with additional pads, as needed. The company is currently working on a new version of the Mad Pad with slight tweaks, so the current version is discounted. Grab one while you can.
Megabeta Climber Sling Bag
The Climber Sling Bag by Megabeta Climbing may seem like an “extra,” but is it, though? Once you have one, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get it sooner. The 6.8-liter original bag holds the essentials—1-2 pairs of climbing shoes (depending on how big they are), a phone, keys, etc. For reference, I went to the climbing gym today, and my Sling Bag held: climbing shoes, chalk bag, phone, wallet, keys, two snacks, chapstick, and tape.
Megabeta thought of everything with the Sling Bag’s design. The large compartment has a smell-proof liner and is well-ventilated to keep your shoes and your bag smelling fresh. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles, and the color combinations are spot on.
Oso Supply Chalk Bag
It’s not rocket science; it’s a chalk bag. But I like this one. For just over $20, Oso Supply’s bags are functional and good looking. Made from waxed canvas, this rugged bag will be able to hang from session to session. It has a wide mouth, a fleece-lined interior, a zippered pocket in the back, and a quick-clip waist belt—everything you could want or need! Plus, there are so many color combinations, there’s a version that’ll appeal to everyone.
FrictionLabs Climbing Chalk – Gorilla Grip
FrictionLabs’ climbing chalk came highly recommended to me by other climbers, and I found it to be a great choice for bouldering indoors and outdoors. Gorilla Grip is the medium blend, meaning it’s mostly fine with some chunks mixed in. FrictionLabs also offers a fine blend and a chunky blend. This is a safe place to start, if you don’t know what you’ll like in terms of chalk.
Bonus gear to consider:
A Few Tips for Beginners
Stoked to get started? It’s ok to be a gumby (I still am), but here are a few tips to help you be safe and maybe not stick out so much.
- Take off your rings before you climb or boulder. Feel free to Google the reason why (beware of what you’ll find, though).
- Socks are a questionable choice. You have to wear them with rental shoes, of course, but once you upgrade to your own shoes, most people ditch the socks. You do you, though.
- At the gym, don’t walk beneath climbers. If you have kids, make sure they follow this rule!
- Don’t walk into the gym or up to the crag/boulder in your climbing shoes. Wear street shoes, then change into your climbing shoes right before you start climbing. (And when you’re at the gym, don’t walk into the bathroom in your climbing shoes or rentals.)
- When spotting someone who is bouldering outdoors, remember this phrase: Spoons, not forks. More info here.
What’s your favorite piece of bouldering gear?
Header stock image by Andrew Merry/Getty Images
