Climbing Gear

Carabiner - These devices are available in a multitude of shapes and types. The two main types are the locking and non-locking. This is an essential and highly versatile item in your climbing gear rack. They are used by both the belayer and the leader, and have a wide range of applications in anchoring, tying in, camping, and rescue activities. This is one of the least expensive piece climbing gear you can get. They are easy to use operation and the diverse functionality has led to use by construction, and other industry applications as well as a multitude of other sports.

Rock Climbing Shoes - The climber's shoes are a key climbing gear component. They are highly personalized and should be one of the first items to purchase when getting into the sport. As the climber develops skill in various aspects styles of the sport, he finds different shoes provide enhanced capability. Other considerations are the type of rubber, the heel shape, slip-on vs lace-up, and curvature are all options available as you build your climbing gear.

Climbing Harness is widely used for top rope, lead, big wall and sport. The first use of the harness was the use of the diaper sling. This was nothing more than a large looped webbing connected with a biner around the waist and between the legs. As climbing gear developed, so did the harness. Today you can get one to best fit the type of activity. Different types and brands have features advantageous for specific aspects of the sport.

Climbing Holds - Hold sets are not typically considered climbing gear, however they are a very important part of training. Many people build training areas in a basement or garage, or if space is tight a small campus board in a bedroom. These are excellent training aids and have definitely proven their training value with noticeable performance gains. Hold sets help improve the areas of weakness by practicing on difficult shapes.

Discount Outdoor Gear - At times, climbing gear and other extreme sports equipment is made available at drastically lowered prices through outlets. This happens because warehouse inventory of an entire line, like climbing gear, becomes temporarily overstocked. Managers compensate for these cycles by offering price cuts, sometimes as much as 70%. The need to create warehouse space generates the incentive to offer Discount Climbing Gear, Discount Camping Gear, Discount North Face, Discount Backpacks, Discount Camping Tents to name a few.

Climbing Ropes - Every item in the climbing gear set is critical. If any one climbing gear piece fails it could mean disaster. Ropes are subjected to abrasion, extreme temperature changes high wear as they pull over rocks and edges. Cords are tested to meet strict safety guidelines and criteria. Ropes must be able to withstand the shock of a fall and keep the confidence of the user. They are an essential part of the climbing gear rack so it's important to get the right type for the intended use.

Quickdraw - You can make your own draw by simply connecting two 'biners with a webbing sling. Typically they are combined with a bent gate and a straight 'biner. The bent gate facilitates clipping into the rope, while the straight gate clips to the protection on the wall. Some people prefer manufactured draws as they are relatively inexpensive climbing gear item, and the runner is customized to use for this purpose only. They have a connecting runner which is 4.5 to 10" long. The exceptional benefit you get from using quickdraws are the reduction of rope drag and ease of clipping.

Gri Gri - This is an invaluable belay/descending device in your climbing gear set. While there are many types of Belay Device, this particular climbing gear item has proven itself many times over. It has the ability to break the rope if it begins pulling too fast as in a fall, or if tension is applied to the line it will engage the braking mechanism. While it's not a substitute for an inattentive belayer, it is an excellent safety improvement over other climbing gear belaying tools.

Child Climbing Harness - Children's hips and legs are proportionately smaller than adults. This physical difference makes it unsafe for a child to wear a small adult-size. If a child wears an adult size, it could slip and the child may actually come out of the restraint. This is critical climbing gear protective device for kids. They should fit snug but not tight. Too tight causes discomfort and abrasions, and loose wear increases the risk of slipping out. Manufacturers have developed two types: Full body and the child's waist belt.

Crash Pads - These are portable pads most often used by boulderers to create a padded landing area. They are manufactured specifically for climbers with emphasis on bouldering. If you plan to build a climbing wall or have one already the crash pad is one of the most important pieces of climbing gear you can get. They prevent injuries from falling uneven surface. Climbers who use a crash pad will reduce the potential for injury.

Rope Bags - 3 Care of your climbing gear is a safety issue. The strength of a cord degrades when exposed to ultraviolet light, dirt, water. Dust particles work their way into the individual fibers when left exposed to the elements. This effect can be lessened by protecting your gear in a bag. Bags have features to protect the gear, aid in hauling, hiking and storing, and many bags feature tarps that lay out for uncoiling and tying in.

Climbing Helmets - Helmets become very important part of your climbing gear package when you get on less familiar and less frequented outdoor routes. Common uses for helmets are trad, rappelling, caving, and mountaineering. They are invaluable to protect the climber from falling debris which reach very high speeds. When a fall occurs there is potential to be knocked unconscious; a bad situation high above the ground on a rockface. It's well known that helmets prevent or lessen injury to the head and face.

Chalk Bags - 2 Many types of chalk bags with unique features are available to the climber. This is considered an optional piece of climbing gear, but for high performance a chalk bag is absolutely essential. It straps or ties around the climber's waist and hangs in the middle of the back at the butt. Chalk bags are used by both indoor and outdoor climbers, including mountaineers and big wall climbers.

Fingerboard - Sometimes called a training board, and sometimes confused with a campus board. The campus board is larger and designed to work pulling up from rung to rung without feet (this is called campusing). The fingerboard is excellent way to improving grip. A fingerboard can be mounted above a door opening or on the floor joists of a basement, or in an inconspicuous place like the climbing gear closet. It's ease of installation makes it an attractive option if you don't have the space to build a campus board.

Runners - Slings, cords, webbing, and runners connect climbing gear together and make them function as a unit. Webbing and runners provide anchors, draws, and hold climbing gear rack together. Runners and slings have many practical applications and are inexpensive additions to your climbing gear set. It is definitely value added to get a variety of sizes and lengths for the rack.

Extreme Sports Clothes - Clothing designed especially for the sport enhances the climbing gear package and makes extreme positions and movements easier. This type of clothing is made to be worn with climbing gear through research and experience. Climbing Gear Manufacturers strive for functionality and durability as well as attractive look and feel. Most extreme sports apparel is strong, reinforced, flexible, and move in directions street clothing won't. Clothes designed for this sport not only look good but compliment to your climbing gear by giving you freedom of motion you won't get with jeans and a button shirt.