Essential Sport Climbing Gear for Traveling Climbers: Pack Like a Pro
Ethan Garceau
Essential Sport Climbing Gear for Traveling Climbers: Pack Like A Pro
Planning a sport climbing trip to some of the world’s most iconic crags? Unlike bouldering, which demands bulky crash pads, or traditional climbing, with its extensive rack of gear, sport climbing is refreshingly straightforward when it comes to packing. Traveling to sport climbing destinations by plane is not only manageable but also an adventure in itself. With just the right selection of gear, you can easily pack everything you need into a single carry on pack or duffel bag, making it perfect for globetrotting climbers eager to explore new heights. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential gear to pack, ensuring you're ready to hit the rocks like a pro, whether you're heading to the limestone cliffs of Kalymnos or the sandstone walls of Red River Gorge. In this article, I cover all of the most important gear – climbing and otherwise – that you will want to pack to get on a plane for your next sport climbing vacation.
The Obvious Stuff
A complete sport climbing kit starts with the essentials:
- Climbing Shoes: I prefer to bring two pairs - one for warming up that is more of a comfort fit and a second, performance pair. With any climbing shoe, look for a snug but comfortable fit with no dead spaces. Use aggressive, downturned shoes for steep pitches, like the La Sportiva Skwama , or flatter lasted, more comfortable shoes for vertical or low-angle pitches - ( La Sportiva Tarantulace ). The two pairs you bring could be two different models to anticipate variable terrain or simply two pair of the same model a half size or full size apart.
- Harness: A good harness should offer comfort with padded waist and leg loops, adjustability for a customizable fit, and enough gear loops for carrying your quickdraws and other essentials. The Petzl Hirundos is a great option for most purposes but if you are willing to sacrifice some comfort in favor of lightweight performance and packability check out the Black Diamond airNET Harness .
- Belay Device: Choose between assisted-braking for added safety and tubular devices for simplicity. Examples: Petzl GriGri , Petzl Neox , Black Diamond ATC Guide . Make sure to pair with an appropriate locking carabiner .
- Rope: 60 or 70 meters in length (60M will obviously save weight and space but make sure you won't need the extra 10M for longer pitches at your destination crag), 9.5-10 mm in diameter for weight and durability balance, ideally with a dry treatment to keep out both water and dirt. Instead of packing into a bulky rope bag, I opt for a simple rope tarp. Check out our rope selection here
- Quickdraws: A good mix of sizes, from 12-18 cm in length. You'll want at least a dozen but I prefer to pack 15-16 just in case you want to set up multiple routes at a time or are getting on super long pitches. The best for sport climbing have beefy dogbones for grabbing while projecting. Keylock style carabiners on the bolt end for easy cleaning on steep sport routes and bent gate (or wire gates) for the clipping end. The Petzl Spririt Quickdraws are the gold standard, but Trango Reactions and Black Diamond HotForge Hybrid Quickdraws are also great options.
- Climbing-Specific Backpack: Ideally it can fit in an overhead compartment, so you won't need to check it so a capacity of around 40-55 liters is about right. If it has travel-friendly features like a removable hip-belt and tuck-away shoulder straps, that's a big plus. Other than that it is nice to have multiple access points and some climbing-specific features like internal gear loops and a few organizational pockets. The Black Diamond Creek 50 and the Mammut Neon 55 are both great options.
- Chalk Bag: Pretty straightforward. Bring one that fits your hand, possibly with a brush in its holder for cleaning holds. Shop all Chalk & Chalk Bags HERE
Peripheral Climbing Gear to Consider Packing
In addition to the basic climbing equipment, there are several accessory items that can make your climbing trips more comfortable and efficient. If you have the available space in your pack, consider the following:
- Stick Clip: Depending on where your destination is this may or may not be a requirement. Trango makes a great collapsable stick clip that is very travel friendly and works great while at the crag. Most recently, Metolius released a new stick clip that actually rolls up , which seems like the ideal solution even if it does come at a significant price point.
- Kneepads: Another piece of gear that may or may not be required depending on your destination or specific route you plan to try. These protect thighs and add friction on pitches requiring kneebars - the Send Wizard Sleeve is a great option here.
- Belay Glasses: Keep an eye on your climber without craning your neck! These are a no-brainer given how easy they are to travel with and the benefit they award. I've used Belay Specs happily for years but there are other models available in case you want to shop around.
- Approach Shoes: Designed for comfort and grip for hiking to the crag. Not a requirement but these will definitely improve your cragging experience. The Salewa Mountain Trainers are examples of a suitable approach shoe to bring with you.
- Helmet: Protects your head from falling debris or accidental impacts; look for lightweight, well-ventilated designs. If you are traveling to a more recently developed area this is a must! Check out our selection of climbing specific helmets here.
- Belay Gloves: Well worth their weight in safety and saved skin. Wearing gloves while belaying increases safety while lowering a climber and reduces wear and tear on your hands, allowing you to sacrifice it on the rock while climbing. Check out our selection of belay gloves here.
- Puffy Jacket: This is the only clothing recommendation I'll shout out since it's easy to forget you'll need a insulating layer to stay warm between burns, even at warmer climbing destinations. Look for lightweight, packable options with good down insulation. You might not need to go full "Michelin Man" but a nice light or mid-weight down layer is always worth finding space in your pack. Check out a few great options here: Men's Down Jackets and Women's Down Jackets.
Final Thoughts
In summary, sport climbing offers an exciting and accessible way to explore breathtaking rock formations at destinations worldwide, with a streamlined gear list that makes traveling by plane a breeze. This guide has covered the essentials, from climbing shoes and harnesses to the extra comforts that enhance your experience at the crag. Remember, your preferred kit may evolve over time and vary depending on the destination, so be open to adapting your gear choices. Whether you're scaling the sunny cliffs of Rumney or tackling the steep routes of Wild Iris , having a well-thought-out sport climbing kit ensures you're prepared for any adventure. So book your trip, pack your bags, and get ready to crag like a pro!
