What gear do you need to climb indoors?

Climbing shoes

Your own well-fitting pair of climbing shoes can make the world of difference to your climbing. Not only will they likely be less painful but they should also have better rubber and increased sensitivity in the toes and heels. The most important thing about buying your own shoes is finding ones that fit you the best. All brands and models have slightly different fits, so keep trying around until you find a brand or pair of shoes that are snug without being uncomfortable. Be aware that some shoes may stretch and become looser after a while. Ask a shop assistant for help if you’re having trouble deciding and don’t be afraid to try another store if you can’t find anything at first.

Chalk bag

Climbing can make your hands sweat which makes them slippier, so many choose to use chalk to soak up the sweat so you can hold on easier! What style of climbing are you getting into most? If you’re only bouldering, consider getting a chalk bucket that can fit all your stuff in as well as chalk. If you think you’ll be climbing on ropes, then a chalk bag that clips around your waist will be ideal as you can use it for both bouldering and rope climbing. Make sure you can easily fit your whole hand into the chalk bag as it can be frustrating to use when you’re on the wall and only have one hand free.

Climbing harness

If you’re doing a lot of roped climbing, or climbing on an autobelay, having a harness that fits well is important for safety and comfort. Make sure the harness can be tightened snugly above the hip bones and that the leg loops fit nicely also. The wider the waistband and leg loops, the comfier it will be if you end up hanging around in it for a while as the wider bands distribute the pressure over a larger area. And if you’re planning on clipping a lot of gear to your harness, think about the number of gear loops and how easy they are to reach. Remember, both male and female harnesses are available so you can always get one that is right for you.

Belay device and karabiner

Once you’ve started roped climbing with a partner, at some point you’ll likely require your own belay device and karabiner, along with the skills to use them. Together the belay device and karabiner are used to safeguard the climber and it’s essential that you learn how to be a competent belayer. There are a few different styles of belay device, from simple tubular devices that use the friction created from the tight angles the rope runs through, to assisted braking devices that automatically stop the rope from running through when a sudden force is applied. No matter which one you choose, make sure you know how to properly use a belay device. There is no substitute for instruction in person, although if you’re looking to brush up on these skills watch our Be a Better Climber instructional videos on the BMC YouTube page.

Other bits of kit

Brushes, slings, quickdraws, crash mats, clipsticks, nuts and cams – there is a lot of different equipment out there in the climbing world that’s useful for lots of different situations. As you branch out into the different styles of climbing, especially the more you start climbing outdoors. Don’t worry, you don’t need to know about it all right away and if you’re ever curious just ask – most climbers will be perfectly happy to answer any questions you have.