For the beginner rock climber, buying gear can be stressful and overwhelming. Don’t worry, these recommendations will point you in the right direction. We have searched high and low to find the best entry-level gear, with a specific focus on safety, performance, and value. Recommendations are unbiased, based on community reputation and our staff’s personal experience. Your purchases support our free content.


In deciding what type of gear you’ll be needing, it’s important to first take into account the style of climbing you’ll be participating in. Most indoor gyms offer both bouldering and roped climbing in the form of top roping and lead climbing.

Outdoor destinations may offer any combination of bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing. You can learn about the styles of climbing here.

 

Indoor and outdoor bouldering

Bouldering necessitates the least amount of gear, only requiring shoes, chalk, a chalk bag, and if you’ll be bouldering outdoors, your own crash pad.

Indoor roped climbing

For indoor roped climbing, you’ll need: shoes, a harness, a belay device and locking carabiner, chalk, and a chalk bag. If you eventually begin lead climbing in the gym, you may need your own rope and a rope bag/tarp to keep it clean.

Outdoor roped climbing

Climbing outdoors, there’s an endless supply of gear you could use. In addition to the indoor roped climbing gear, you’ll likely also need quickdraws and a helmet, among other optional additions.

 

Related: Gear Guide to the Top 9 Best Shoes for Rock Climbing

 

Black Diamond Momentum and Primrose Harnesses

best rock climbing harness for beginners black diamond momentum mens

Best climbing harness black diamonds women's solution

In deciding on a first climbing harness, we suggest looking at comfort, functionality, safety, and affordability. Taking these factors into consideration, Black Diamond’s men’s Momentum and women’s Solution lines offer an excellent starting spot.

Both harnesses are very comfortable, with sufficient padding throughout both the waist straps and leg loops. Four gear loops on each harness offer plenty of space for quickdraws, belay devices, and even cams if you begin trad climbing. In terms of safety, Black Diamond is the gold standard here in the United States, so you can be assured that these harnesses are rigorously tested to withstand extreme loads. And finally, these harnesses are available at a fantastic price.

For an all-around beginner rock climber harness, Black Diamond’s Momentum and Solution are hard to beat.

Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet

Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet

When climbing outdoors, whether you’re leading, belaying, or just walking around the base of the crag, wear a helmet! While many sport climbers and professional climbers will often forgo the use of helmets, that decision is informed by years of experience. Beginning climbers should wear helmets without exception until they can properly identify the times when climbing without one may be appropriate.

Bonus tip

Add your name, an emergency contact, and any drug allergies you may have to help rescuers in the event of an emergency.

 

Petzl GriGri Belay Device

Petzl GriGri2

The GriGri is an assisted-braking belay device that works by pinching (and significantly slowing or stopping) the rope whenever it moves quickly through the device. During normal rope movement, the internal cam isn’t engaged, allowing for smooth rope handling. But as soon as the rope begins moving quickly (think “falling!”), the cam engages, pinching the rope and helping to brake the fall. We endorse the use of assisted-braking belay devices as an added form of redundancy during belays.

Alternative pick: Mad Rock Lifeguard

The Mad Rock Lifeguard uses the exact same belay technique as a tube-style (ATC) device and slack can be easily fed out without deactivating the cam. Additionally, the Lifeguard is the lightest and cheapest camming belay device on the market. Mad Rock has exceeded all expectations and created an exceptional alternative to the industry-dominant GriGri.

 

Petzl Reverso

Petzl Reverso

If climbing outdoors, an ATC-style belay device is generally needed for rappels (it can also be used for belaying, although it doesn’t offer assisted-braking security). We suggest Petzl’s Reverso, which is not only great for rappelling but can also be set up in Reverso mode to belay a partner up on multi-pitch climbs

 

Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraw Pack

best beginner rock climbing gear quickdraws black diamond HotWire

The Black Diamond HotWires boast exceptional quality and durability at an affordable price. As a beginner, you don’t need absolute top-of-the-line gear, nor should you search for the cheapest equipment on the market. The HotWires fit the bill for quality entry-level quickdraws that will last for years, without breaking the bank.

 

Mammut 9.8 mm Eternity Classic Climbing Rope

Best Rock Climbing Rope for Beginners, Mammut Eternity Classic 9.8mm Climbing Rope

The Mammut Eternity Classic is a perfect beginner’s climbing rope. Its 9.8mm diameter and durable sheath will stand up to the abuse typical of the learning years. Plus, with a UIAA fall rating of 9 (a bit higher than other comparable beginner ropes), this burly rope can handle more falls as you quite literally learn the ropes of rock climbing.

With a handy middle marker, to assist in identifying the middle point of the rope, it has all the safety components in place, with no compromise on the affordability. It’s also a Bluesign product, the eco-friendly seal of approval.

The Mammut Eternity Classic is a great choice for top roping, sport climbing, and trad climbing. The 60m length is most appropriate for new climbers but if your budget affords it, the 70m does have added benefits on long outdoor routes (or the 80m if your local crag is known for particularly long routes. Alternatively, if you’ll be mostly climbing in a gym, the Eternity Classic comes in a 40m length as well.

Keep it clean

Ropes can get dirty quickly, so keep your Mambo clean and organized with a dedicated rope bag. Our favorite is the Metolius Ropemaster—it’s built with unbreakable buckles, has a built-in tarp, and special tie-off points help you easily identify rope ends.

 

Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock or GridLock

Black Diamond Magnetron RockLock

black-diamond-gridlock-magnetron

Black Diamond Magnetron GridLock

Many locking carabiners suffer from a critical flaw: you have to remember to lock them. While spring-loaded auto-locking carabiners are out there, they tend to be heavy, clunky, and difficult to operate. Black Diamond received multiple industry awards for the Magnetron, which uses two magnets in the gate to automatically lock the carabiner when it is closed. The carabiner is not cheap, but purchasing one or two Magnetron RockLocks for use in personal anchor systems affords a significantly improved margin of safety. The GridLock is the Moja Gear staff pick for belaying because of its dual safety of magnetically locking and preventing cross-loading. Learn more about these wonderful carabiners in this article.

 

Petzl Connect Adjust

Personal anchors can be a contentious piece of equipment, but let’s make one important piece of information clear: don’t use a daisy chain as a personal anchor! Most purpose-built personal anchors still suffer from a crucial flaw in that they are made of nylon or Dyneema, which do not absorb any energy in the event of a fall onto an anchor. To solve this, Petzl created the Connect Adjust, which uses dynamic rope to better handle an accidental fall. Additionally, it features an adjustable arm that makes repositioning a breeze.

Alternative pick: Metolius Personal Anchor System (PAS)

While we love Petzl’s Connect Adjust for its dynamic fall absorption and easy adjustability, the Metolius PAS offers a safe tethering method at a more affordable price.

 

Sterling Rope HollowBlock

sterling_hollow_block_rope-min

It would take an entire article just to describe the benefits of this little piece of cord … so thankfully we have one right here! The HollowBlock will keep you safe on your rappels and it will allow you to perform essential self-rescure techniques. Put it on your harness every time you leave the ground—it’s that important.

 

Rock Climbing Fundamentals eBook – $10

Rock Climbing Fundamentals Book

Rock Climbing Fundamentals: Essential Terms, Techniques, and Tips for the New Climber

For brand new climbers there is a lot more to learn than just rock climbing skills. The whole sport is loaded with new words, abbreviations, gear, and culture to discover. Moja Gear’s Rock Climbing Fundamentals ebook gives new climbers a foundation in understanding rock climbing history, rock climbing gear, and rock climbing training.

 

Goda Acupressure Finger Massage Rings

Goda Acupressure Rings

Climbing is hard on the fingers. Goda Massage Rings provide relief by promoting blood flow and breaking up scar tissue. They’re so useful that even professional climber Ethan Pringle always keeps a few in his pack.

buy now

 

Metolius Chalk Sock

Metolius Refillable Chalk Sock

Chalk socks help minimize the mess from chalking up, while ensuring an even coating on the hands. Being refillable, you can always add your favorite chalk when the initial batch runs low.

Additionally, chalk balls help prevent spills when your chalk bag is unintentionally flipped upside down. Using a chalk ball benefits both you and those around you; nobody wants to breathe in a small blizzard of chalk.


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