To successfully boulder, you need only a few things

1. Climbing shoes

When bouldering, you need to wear rock climbing shoes that are fitted correctly because your feet are two of your only four contact points to the rock. This is the most important item for this climbing gear list.

2. Chalk

Your hands will get sweaty when you are climbing, even if they never have before, so you need to dry out that natural slipping agent with chalk. You only need a little on your fingertips and palms.

3. Chalk bag

If you plan to keep your chalk on your back while climbing so that you can restock in mid-climb, or if you simply just want to keep your chalk, a chalk bag is a must.

4. Helmet

Knowing that your head is probably the most important part of your body, I suggest keeping it protected. Most people who are hard core boulderers usually do not where a helmet, but I think it is still a good idea.

5. Crash pad

When you are bouldering, whether you are amateur or pro, you could fall. Falling is not the most pleasing thing you could do to your body, but a strategically placed crash pad will help to minimize those aches and pains.

6. Clothing

While of course being optional, the clothing that you wear should help, not hinder your climb. I prefer a performance wear base layer, then a pair of regular old hiking shorts that you don’t care to beat up.

7. Gear pack

In order to keep all of your free climbing/bouldering gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple gear bag/gear pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!

Here’s some great gear to add to yours so you can go ice climbing:

1. Ice protection

The protection you use in ice climbing is much different than the protection used when simply rock climbing because ice is a much different surface. It is a good idea to use quickdraws in conjunction with ice protection when ice climbing. Ice protection includes: pitons, ice screws, slings, etc.

2. Dynamic ice rope / double rope / twin rope

Most ropes people use in rock climbing are not waterproof and should not be used while ice climbing. So, while ice climbing, only ropes that are dynamic and waterproof should be used because they are designed to take on water and still perform adequately.

3. Hiking boots / mountaineering boots

Hiking or mountaineering boots should be used when ice climbing rather than rock climbing shoes because they will allow you to where crampons, while keeping your feet insulated and warm.

4. Crampons

Crampons are specially designed pieces of gear that wrap around your hiking or mountaineering boots, adding incredible grip while ice climbing. The size and number of spikes (points) attached to the crampons will change their effectiveness.

5. Ice axe (two per person)

Ice axes are very important in ice climbing because most ice formations do not have built-in holds like rock does, so you must make your own via ice axes. Each person climbing will usually use two ice axes to climb the ice: using one to reach and pull himself up, then the other in the same way.

6. Leash (one per ice axe)

Leashes are not a necessity in ice climbing, but they definitely make it easier. A leash is used to attach the climber’s hand and wrist to the ice axe he is using. This prevents from slipping off the axe and dropping the axe itself.

7. Climbing gloves

Gloves are very important to wear when ice climbing so that your hands stay warm. It sounds obvious, but a pair of gloves is one thing people tend to forget.

8. Clothing

When you are going ice climbing, remember that even though there may be ice where you are climbing, the surrounding temperature may not be as cold during the day. Keep it simple with a performance wear layer, a insulating layer (fleece), and a windproof and waterproof layer. Remember a hat and moisture-wicking socks to go along with your hiking or mountaineering boots.

9. Gear pack

In order to keep all of your ice climbing gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple gear bag/gear pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!

Here is everything you need to go sport climbing:

1. Dynamic rope

Dynamic rope is the rope you need to use while sport climbing because as it is pulled tight, it stretches. This does not sound that important, but when you fall, it is better for your back to be let down slowly with the stretch of the rope than being snapped back with a rope that will not stretch (static rope).

2. Quickdraws

Quickdraws are simply made up of two carabiners connected with a short, sometimes sewn together, loop of fabric (usually webbing or cord). they are used in climbing to provide a buffer between the rope and the protection being used so that the rope is easier to pull up for the climber, and so that the protection will not be wiggled free of its position. Having quickdraws is a convenience that you do not what to live without.

3. Protection

“Protection” is a term used by climbers to describe a category of gear that is used to limit the length of a potential fall. Protection pieces are forced into cracks in the rock face and connected to the rope; this point is now an anchor for the rope. However far past a protection piece the climber goes, he/she can fall that distance multiplied by two (length from height to protection, then same length again from protection to the end of the rope length). Protection includes: cams, nuts, bolts, natural anchors, etc.

4. Carabiners

If there is one key piece that all climbers should have, a carabiner is it. In climbing, the carabiner is used in a number of ways for a number of reasons. The most common is to attach the rope to the climber. For a sport climb, you need a bunch of carabiners, not only for your quickdraws, but also to clip-in to the rope, to clip-in to the belay device, or to clip-on any extra gear you are carrying, and many other uses that you will find out along the way. There are different carabiners to fulfill each purpose.

5. ATC / Belay device

In a sport climb, an ATC (air traffic controller) or a belay device is what the person belaying uses to keep the rope in between the two climbers taut so that if the person climbing falls, he will fall the shortest distance possible. This is a very inexpensive and simple piece of gear, but it is very important.

6. Climbing harness (one per climber)

Each climber will need a climbing harness while sport climbing because each climber must be attached to the rope at all times. The person climbing must be attached to the rope’s end while placing protection, while the person belaying from below must be attached to the rope with the atc to prevent a longer fall than necessary.

7. Runners / Gear slings / Daisy chains

All of these pieces of gear have multiple uses, but they are important for a sport climb, because you can use them to carry your protection and quickdraws. Daisy chains are the best for this purpose because the gear won’t bunch up, but a regular sling can be used as well. Extra runners and slings are great to extend quickdraw length, and daisy chains can also be attached to protection and the climbing harness to provide a nice rest for the climber.

8. Chalk

Your hands will get sweaty when you are climbing, even if they never have before, so you need to dry out that natural slipping agent with chalk. You only need a little on your fingertips and palms.

9. Chalk bag

If you plan to keep your chalk on your back while climbing so that you can restock in mid-climb, or if you simply just want to keep your chalk, a chalk bag is a must.

10. Climbing shoes (one pair per climber)

In a sport climb, both climbers need to be wearing rock climbing shoes because they both need the best position possible. You also need to make sure your climbing shoes are fitted correctly because your feet are two of your only four contact points to the rock. Rock climbing shoes will allow for a more precise climb and a better grip with your feet.

11. Helmet (one per climber)

Knowing that your head is probably the most important part of your body, I suggest keeping it protected. Both climbers need one to protect from head injuries to the person climbing and to protect from rocks falling from above for the belayer.

12. Clothing

When you are climbing, the clothing that you wear should help, not hinder your climb. I prefer a performance wear base layer, then a pair of regular old hiking shorts that you don’t care to beat up.

13. Gear pack

In order to keep all of your sport climbing gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple gear bag/gear pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!

In order to go top rope climbing, you need these things:

1. Anchor system

The anchor system is the most important part of a top rope climb because without a strong anchor, the climb could potentially fall apart: leaving a very unhappy (and probably injured) climber. Anchors can be made of many things: webbing, cord, or protection connected to the rope with carabiners.

2. Dynamic rope

Dynamic rope is the rope you need to use while top rope climbing because as it is pulled tight, it stretches. This does not sound that important, but when you fall, it is better for your back to be let down slowly with the stretch of the rope than being snapped back with a rope that will not stretch (static rope).

3. Carabiners

If there is one key piece that all climbers should have, a carabiner is it. In climbing, the carabiner is used in a number of ways for a number of reasons. The most common way is to attach the rope to the climber. For a top rope climb, you need a few to: clip-in to the rope, clip-in to the belay device, and have at least one in the anchor device. There are different carabiners to fulfill each purpose.

4. Belay device

A belay device is what the belayer (the person belaying) uses to keep the rope above the climber tight in a top rope climb. This helps the climber to rest on the rope’s strength if needed and to provide the least amount of falling distance possible.

5. Two climbing harnesses (one each for the belayer and climber)

A climbing harness is another key piece every climber should have. In a top rope climb, two climbing harnesses are needed. One is for the climber, keeping him/her attached to the rope and providing a comfortable climbing position. The other is for the belayer, keeping him/her attached to the belay device, providing a comfortable and easier belaying position.

6. Chalk

Your hands will get sweaty when you are climbing, even if they never have before, so you need to dry out that natural slipping agent with chalk. You only need a little on your fingertips and palms.

7. Chalk bag

If you plan to keep your chalk on your back while climbing so that you can restock in mid-climb, or if you simply just want to keep your chalk, a chalk bag is a must.

8. Climbing shoes

In a top rope climb, only the climber needs to be wearing rock climbing shoes. You also need to make sure that they are fitted correctly because your feet are two of your only four contact points to the rock. Rock climbing shoes will allow for a more precise climb and a better grip with your feet.

9. Helmet

Knowing that your head is probably the most important part of your body, I suggest keeping it protected. Even though on a top rope climb, there is very little danger involved, a helmet is still a very good idea just in case something unexpected happens, including falling rocks.

10. Clothing

When you are climbing, the clothing that you wear should help, not hinder your climb. I prefer a performance wear base layer, then a pair of regular old hiking shorts that you don’t care to beat up.

11. Gear pack

In order to keep all of your top rope climbing gear together, it is a good idea to have a simple gear bag/gear pack to store everything in. That way, you can just grab you pack and go!