Every master was once a beginner. It takes practice and perseverance to learn anything, even rock climbing. Sports climbing is one of the most fun, freestyle hobbies if you have the right gear to support you. Although your physical fitness plays a significant role in rock climbing, it’s also essential to have the right equipment to improve your techniques and keep you safe.
Your equipment such as rock climbing gloves, shoes, rope, harness play a significant role in keeping you safe, and that’s why it’s crucial to have top-quality climbing equipment on which you can rely. To help you all the beginners aspiring to become accomplished rock climbers here is a list of 6 rock climbing essentials you need to have while starting your rock climbing journey. Let’s take a look at them.
Rope: Your weight plays a crucial role in choosing the right gear for sports climbing. It’s vital to have a highly durable rope that isn’t heavy when you are mounting. The 9.5mm or 9.6mm rope is the perfect sports rope that is way lighter than other diameter ropes yet strong enough to withstand multiple falls while working on a route.
These ropes are relatively easier to handle while belaying and compact enough to carry around from route to route or the crag easily. Unlike static rope, a dynamic rope can give you the much-needed stretch in case of a fall.
Climbing Gloves: Wearing suitable rock climbing gloves can improve your climbing experience multifold. It’s a fantastic way to protect your hands from climbing injuries. It’s essential to have solid and durable gloves to withstand rough use and protect your hands from cuts and scratches from rocks and ropes.
Climbing is a challenging and rigorous sport, so it’s best to avoid any possible injury or damage to your body. There are different types of climbing gloves, some of them are as follows:
- Full-finger
- Half-finger
- Crack climbing gloves
Climbing Harness: Though the prime use of a climbing harness is to distribute your weight and catch you when you fall, many harnesses match the specific needs of different climbers. Sports harnesses need to be optimal when it comes to climbing; that’s why experts design harnesses with fewer gear loops to help the climber move quickly without any difficulty.
Belay Device: Belay devices provide additional assistance in sports climbing. They come in different styles and provide various benefits based on the type of climber. Tube-styled devices are beneficial for dial technique. You can use them in the top-down belay or while learning basic rope management techniques. As belay devices aren’t helpful during falls, modern Assisted Braking Devices (ABD) are more reliable and help the belayers while lowering your partner or during a fall.
Helmet: Helmets are a piece of essential equipment for beginner climbers. Helmets not only protect you during falls but also shield your head from the debris falling from above. Even a ping-pong-sized rock falling from above can cause severe damage to a climber without a helmet. That’s why it’s essential to wear a helmet during rock climbing.
These were the five essential rock climbing gear every beginner climber should have. It’s best to learn from professionals if you are new to the world of climbing and have no clue where to start. Top-quality gear will protect you from different injuries while you learn rock climbing.