Equipment, gear, supplies, and other products used in recreational climbing are the focus of this part of our guide.
Rock and ice climbing, as extreme sports, is covered elsewhere, and additional information on climbing can be found in the corresponding category within our Sports & Recreation category. This is the shopping area, so we'll focus on products here.
As in the Sports & Recreation category, we will broadly define climbing. Some forms of climbing can be found in various categories within Extreme Sports, and other forms of climbing may be associated with businesses, so there is room for overlap here.
For the most part, resources in this category will involve products used in climbing natural terrain, such as hills, boulders, canyons, or mountains, although many other objects can be climbed, such as artificial climbing walls, ice formations, buildings, towers, cranes, poles, trees, ropes, and even stairs, although I'm not sure what products would be specifically associated with climbing stairs.
Although this is more often a recreational activity, competitive indoor rock climbing via artificial climbing walls is regulated by the International Federation of Sport Climbing.
The forms of recreational climbing are diverse, ranging from bouldering to mountaineering, and even urban climbing. Each type of climb requires specific equipment, gear, and supplies to ensure safety, efficiency, and enjoyment.
For example, bouldering involves climbing large boulders or artificial climbing walls without using ropes or harnesses. Instead, climbers rely on crash pads and spotters to cushion falls and provide safety. Bouldering requires climbing shoes designed to provide maximum grip and precision on small holds. Climbers might also use a chalk bag to hold chalk used to keep hands dry, and brushes to clean holds and improve grip. Crash pads are placed on the ground for indoor climbing to cushion falls.
Sport climbing is accomplished on pre-bolted routes on natural rock or artificial climbing walls. Sport climbers use ropes and quickdraws to clip into anchors along the route. Similar to bouldering, they may use climbing shoes and chalk. Sport climbers also depend on rope and harnesses, quickdraws, and belay devices for safety and to assist them in ascents and descents.
Traditional (trad) climbing involves placing removable protection devices into cracks and features of the rock. All of the gear used in sport climbing may come into play, as well as slings, alpine draws, a helmet, and other protection devices.
Ice climbing is the ascent of ice formations such as frozen waterfalls and glaciers. The gear used in ice climbing includes crampons, ice axes, ice screws, technical boots, and helmets.
Mountaineering involves climbing mountains, encompassing rock, ice, and mixed terrain. All of the gear used in ice climbing may be used, along with mountaineering boots, gaiters, a climbing rope that is usually longer and more durable than sport climbing ropes, and avalanche safety gear (beacon, shovel, and probe) in avalanche-prone areas.
Urban climbing, also known as buildering, involves climbing man-made structures, such as buildings and cranes. These activities may require climbing shoes, chalk and a chalk bag, harness and rope, ascenders, and descenders.
Tree climbing can be recreational or professional. It involves ascending trees using various techniques. Climbing ropes and harnesses are used, along with a throw line and weight, ascenders and descenders, helmets, and other protective gear.
Rope climbing is a general term that can refer to various activities, including ascents on fixed ropes or gym climbing on ropes. Climbing ropes are either static or dynamic, depending on the activity. Other equipment might include harnesses, belay devices, ascenders, and gloves.
Recreational climbing is a multifaceted sport that requires a diverse array of equipment, gear, and supplies to ensure safety and to enhance performance. Each form of climbing presents unique challenges and demands specific tools and techniques.
Manufacturers and retailers involved in serving these markets are the focus of this category.
Recommended Resources
Black Diamond is a Utah-based manufacturer of equipment for climbing, skiing, and mountain sports, with global offices in Austria. Shoppers can browse its online catalog by the type of sport, equipment, men's and women's products, or sale items, or they can search by keyword. Its website also features user manuals, firmware updates, product recalls, its Pro Program, educational discounts, global distribution partners, corporate sales, e-Gift cards, and affiliate program.
https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/
With a warehouse and showroom in Perrysburg, Ohio, Knot & Rope Supply also offers its products online. In business since 2004, the company stocks a large supply and variety of rope and rope accessories, which may be browsed on its website, by category, application, project, or rope type. Additionally, shoppers can narrow their search by its "Rope Search" filters. Special orders, customization options, and services may also be available, and there are several categories of accessories.
https://www.knotandrope.com/
Based in Carmel, California, Mountain Tools is an online store that specializes in climbing equipment for various activities such as rock climbing, bouldering, ice climbing, alpinism, backpacking, mountain rescue, and camping. They offer a wide range of gear, including harnesses, crampons, carabiners, climbing shoes, helmets, packs, sleeping bags, tents, and rope. New gear and sale items are highlighted. Other resources include tech tips, a list of dealers, and a gallery of photographs.
https://www.mtntools.com/
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is a US-based retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. Formerly governed as a consumers' cooperative, REI sells camping gear, hiking, cycling, water, running, fitness, snow, travel, clothing, and climbing products. Its climbing gear includes climbing shoes, harnesses, hardware, ropes, and clothing, as well as webbing and cords, chalk bags and chalk, mountaineering gear, other essentials, special offers, and related categories of products.
https://www.rei.com/h/climbing
Established in Boulder, Colorado, in 1991, Trango is focused on providing climbing tools. Known for producing top-tier climbing equipment, Trango offers some of the most popular climbing holds and iconic gear, including those needed for Alpine climbing, bouldering, gym climbing, sport climbing, and trad climbing. A large assortment of holds for indoor climbing walls is available, and sale items are featured. Shoppers may also browse by gear, discipline, holds, macros, or sale items.
https://trango.com/
