The Climbing Primer

Gear & Equipment

What to buy, what to rent, and what the gym already provides. The good news is you need almost nothing to start: for bouldering it is just climbing shoes and a bit of chalk, since the landing pads are built into the floor. When you move on to roped gym climbing you add a harness and a belay device, and any outdoor climbing means a helmet too. These guides cover how climbing shoes should fit, snug and supportive without being painful, and the non-negotiable rule that ropes, harnesses, and hardware must be properly rated, in good condition, and cared for.