Tried and True Gear: Climbing

Outdoor Gear Exchange
OGE staff member Zander laying on a climbing crashpad surrounded by gear for rock climbing with a solid yellow backdrop

Bouldering, Trad climbing, sport climbing, top roping. There are a lot of ways to get on the rock. It's also a lot of gear to think about. The general approach is that depending on the type of rock, length of route, saftey, time, all come together with what you end up climbing on most. If you love to boulder, you just need some friends, a crash pad, some shoes, and some chalk. When you add ropes and protection into the mix for climbing, the amount of time and training and knowledge shoots through the roof. Not to mention the fit and shape preferences of the climbing shoes. So for someone who likes to do it all...what gear does Zander bring to climb?

Name: Zander Holdorf (They/Them)

Job at OGE: Climbing and Clothing Accessories Head.

Longest lasting piece of gear: Black Diamond ATC

Gear I can't live without: Tenaya Mastias Climbing Shoe

Pro-tip: Find a group of friends, or an expert climber to introduce you to outdoor climbing! Local gyms often have these people in there a lot, try introducing yourself to those you see in there a lot!

Favorite Local Place to climb: The Bolton Dome.

A green hooded long-sleeve mid-layer top and a pair of Bedrock sandals on a yellow background

Clothing/Footwear

The most important part of climbing clothing is the stretch and durability. It needs to withstand scraping over rocks, but be able to stretch and move with your body. Quick-dry materials are great, especially on hot weather days. I prefer sandals for everything except very intense approaches. They are comfy and easy to slip on and off between climbs.

Zander's Picks:

A stick clip, two chalk bags, Friction Labs chalk, a brush and three guidebooks on a yellow background

Accessories

I love lightweight, breathable harnesses, and prefer adjustable leg loops. Plenty of space on the gear loops is always a plus.

I love having a stick clip. I don’t want to worry about a ground fall when I’m out having fun before the second clip.

What kind of chalk you use is a personal preference. As long as it works! Speaking of chalk. I have two chalk bags. One is a bouldering-specific chalk bucket. I have a waisted chalk bag for roped climbing.

Guidebooks . Not only does it serve as a memento for the place I climbed, but its also got all the answers. New ones come out all the time, so make sure yours is up to date!

Zander's Picks:

Climbing gear, including quickdraws, nuts, cams, belay devices, and a helmet on a yellow backdrop

Rack/Helmet

A full rack of trad gear is usually one set of cams from size .3 to 3 with some extra nuts thrown in. I love having offset nuts with me for any strange cracks that might be more difficult to place other gear in. I think folding pads are worth the extra money so they’re most transportable and can double as a backpack. Having one big and one small pad is great for most boulders, but usually more is better (you don’t want to miss)!

Zander's Picks:

three pairs of rock climbing shoes on a yellow background

Climbing Shoes

Climbing shoes are entirely up to your style of climbing and personal preference. If your budget can swing it I recommend having one pair of indoor gym shoes and one pair of outdoor crag shoes.

Zander's Picks:

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